How do I cite a blog post in PLOS?

To cite a blog post in PLOS (current), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What does the in-text citation look like for a blog post in PLOS?

In PLOS, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]

How to Cite a Blog Post in PLOS (current)

Learn how to cite blog posts and online opinion pieces in PLOS format (current). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

PLOS Reference List Format

Here is the standard PLOS format for citing a blog post in your reference list:

PLOS Example for a Blog Post

A complete PLOS reference for a blog post, formatted by the official PLOS CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

1. Bell J. Why I stopped using footnotes. In: Writing in Public [Internet]. 21 Jun 2024 [cited 10 Jan 2026]. Available: https://www.example.org/blog/footnotes

Matching in-text citation: [1]

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your blog post.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the PLOS (current) template shown above.
Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match PLOS requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model.

CSL style record: plos.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a blog post in PLOS?: To cite a blog post in PLOS (current), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the PLOS format for a blog post citation?: The PLOS format for a blog post is: 1. Bell J. Why I stopped using footnotes. In: Writing in Public [Internet]. 21 Jun 2024 [cited 10 Jan 2026]. Available: https://www.example.org/blog/footnotes
What does the in-text citation look like for a blog post in PLOS?: In PLOS, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]