Citing Amazon in APA Style: A Deep Dive for Researchers

The digital landscape has fundamentally altered how we access information and conduct research. Amazon, as a dominant force in e-commerce and digital content distribution, frequently appears as a source in academic writing. Correctly citing Amazon in APA style is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and giving proper attribution. You cite Amazon in APA style depending on what you are referencing. Here’s a breakdown:

• For a Specific Product: Treat the product page like a webpage. Include the author (if available, often the manufacturer or brand), the date the product page was last updated (if available; otherwise use n.d.), the product title, and the URL.
• For an Amazon Review: Cite the reviewer’s name (or screen name), the date of the review, the title of the review (if available), the phrase “Amazon customer review,” and the URL of the review.
• For Content on Amazon Prime Video: Cite similarly to a streaming video, including the director(s), release year, title of the video, the platform “Amazon Prime Video,” and the URL.
• For an eBook on Kindle: Cite as you would a print book, but specify the format (Kindle) in brackets after the title.

Let’s explore these scenarios with examples and cover frequent questions researchers have about citing Amazon effectively.

Understanding the Nuances of Amazon Citations

Citing Amazon isn’t always straightforward because Amazon is not a traditional publisher. It’s a platform, a marketplace, and a distributor. Therefore, the key is to identify the originator of the content you’re referencing.

Citing a Product Page

When referencing information from a product page, the author is typically the manufacturer or brand. If no author is explicitly listed, use the corporate author (e.g., “Amazon Basics”). The date can be tricky; look for a “last updated” date on the page. If none exists, use “n.d.” (no date).

Example:

• Author: Anker
• Date: n.d.
• Title: Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger
• Source: Amazon

Reference List Entry:

Anker. (n.d.). Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger. Amazon. Retrieved from [Insert product page URL]

In-Text Citation:

(Anker, n.d.)

Citing an Amazon Review

Amazon reviews offer valuable insights, especially in market research or consumer behavior studies. Treat these as online comments.

Example:

• Reviewer: BookLover22
• Date: 2023, July 15
• Title: “Great read, highly recommend!”
• Source: Amazon

Reference List Entry:

BookLover22. (2023, July 15). Great read, highly recommend! [Amazon customer review]. Retrieved from [Insert review URL]

In-Text Citation:

(BookLover22, 2023)

Citing Amazon Prime Video Content

Citing movies or TV shows on Amazon Prime Video follows standard APA guidelines for streaming video. Identify the director(s) for movies and the writer(s) for TV episodes.

Example:

• Director: Villeneuve, D.
• Date: 2021
• Title: Dune
• Source: Amazon Prime Video

Reference List Entry:

Villeneuve, D. (Director). (2021). Dune. Amazon Prime Video. [Insert video URL]

In-Text Citation:

(Villeneuve, 2021)

Citing Kindle eBooks

Kindle eBooks are cited similarly to print books, but with the addition of “[Kindle Edition]” after the title.

Example:

• Author: Orwell, G.
• Date: 1949
• Title: Nineteen Eighty-Four (Kindle Edition)
• Source: Amazon

Reference List Entry:

Orwell, G. (1949). Nineteen Eighty-Four (Kindle Edition). Amazon.

In-Text Citation:

(Orwell, 1949)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Citing Amazon

Here are some frequently asked questions on citing Amazon that often confuse researchers.

1. What if there’s no author listed for a product on Amazon?

If no author is explicitly listed for a product, use the corporate author (e.g., the company or brand name). If even that is missing, you might consider whether the product is a reliable source for academic purposes. If it is still crucial to your research, use “Amazon Basics” or “Amazon” itself as the author.

2. How do I cite a product description from Amazon?

Cite the product description similarly to a webpage. The “author” would be the manufacturer or brand, and the “title” would be a brief description of the product. Include the URL of the product page.

3. What if the publication date is missing on an Amazon product page?

If there is no publication date available, use “n.d.” (no date) in place of the year. However, always make a diligent effort to find some indication of the date the information was published or last updated.

4. Can I cite information from Amazon’s “About Us” page?

Yes, you can cite information from Amazon’s “About Us” page. In this case, Amazon is the author, and the title would be the specific section you are referencing (e.g., “Our Mission”).

5. How do I cite an Amazon search result?

Citing an Amazon search result is generally discouraged. It’s better to cite the specific product pages you are referencing from the search results. If you must cite it, treat it like a webpage with “Amazon Search Results” as the title and “Amazon” as the author.

6. Is it appropriate to cite Amazon in academic research?

Yes, it’s appropriate to cite Amazon if the information is relevant and reliable for your research. However, be mindful of the context. Amazon is primarily a commercial platform, so critically evaluate the information before using it as a source.

7. How do I cite different editions of the same book available on Kindle?

If different editions have different content (e.g., introductions, annotations), cite them separately. Include the edition information in parentheses after the title (e.g., “(2nd ed., Kindle Edition)”). If the content is identical, you can use a general reference to the book and specify in your text that you accessed it via Kindle.

8. What if an Amazon review doesn’t have a title?

If an Amazon review lacks a title, create a brief, descriptive title in square brackets (e.g., “[Positive review of product]”).

9. Should I include the access date for an Amazon URL in my citation?

APA 7th edition generally recommends omitting access dates unless the source material is likely to change over time. For Amazon product pages and reviews, which can be updated, including an access date is a good practice.

10. How do I cite a series of user reviews on Amazon collectively?

If you are analyzing a collection of user reviews, you can cite them collectively by describing the data set in your text and providing general information about where the reviews were found (e.g., “Data were collected from 100 user reviews on Amazon for the product X”). You can then analyze the data without citing each review individually.

11. Can I cite Amazon’s customer service responses?

Citing Amazon’s customer service responses is generally not recommended unless the information is uniquely valuable and unavailable elsewhere. If you must cite it, treat it as personal communication, indicating that it was a direct communication from Amazon customer service. Obtain permission if possible.

12. How does citing an audiobook from Audible (owned by Amazon) differ?

Citing an audiobook from Audible follows the same principles as citing a physical audiobook. Include the author, publication year, title, “[Audiobook],” narrator, and the publisher (in this case, Audible).

By understanding these guidelines and addressing these frequently asked questions, you can confidently and accurately cite Amazon in your APA style papers, ensuring academic integrity and clear attribution. Remember that careful evaluation of your source materials’ credibility is always key, regardless of the platform on which you find them.