How to Check Publisher Information in APA Citations

Complete guide to checking publisher information in APA citations. Learn when to include publishers, formatting rules, and common publisher errors.

Why Publisher Info Matters in APA Citations

Impact on Readability

Proper Publisher Info formatting ensures your reference list is professional and easy to read. When Publisher Info is formatted correctly, readers can quickly identify the key components of each citation and locate the sources themselves.

Impact on Credibility

Publisher Info errors can undermine your academic credibility. Instructors and journal editors often view formatting mistakes as a lack of attention to detail, which may affect how they evaluate the quality of your research.

Common Consequences

• Grade deductions: Typical penalties range from 1-5 points per error
• Journal rejections: Many journals reject papers with formatting issues without review
• Reader confusion: Incorrect Publisher Info can make sources difficult to identify

What Correct Publisher Info Formatting Looks Like

Publisher Information in APA Citations

When citing sources in APA format, it is essential to include accurate publisher information. Here are key rules and guidelines to follow for the publisher_info section of your citations.

General Formatting Requirements

1. Publisher Name: Always include the full name of the publisher. For well-known publishers, you can abbreviate "Company" to "Co." and "Incorporated" to "Inc." For example, "Springer Nature" can be written as "Springer".

2. Location: The 7th edition of APA does not require the location of the publisher unless it is essential for clarity. However, if included, it should be formatted as "City, State" or "City, Country" without abbreviations for states or countries.

3. Publication Year: The year of publication should follow the publisher's name and be enclosed in parentheses. This helps clarify the version of the work you are citing.

Examples

1. Book Citation:
   Smith, J. A. (2020). Understanding Psychology. Springer.
   In this example, "Springer" is the publisher, and no location is needed as it's a well-known publisher.

2. Edited Book Citation:
   Johnson, L. R. (Ed.). (2019). Advances in Neuroscience. Academic Press.
   Here, "Academic Press" is the publisher. Again, the location is omitted as it is not necessary.

Importance of Accuracy

Accurate publisher information is crucial for readers to locate the sources you are citing. It also reflects your attention to detail and adherence to academic standards. Always double-check the publisher's name and publication year for precision.

Practical Tips and Common Pitfalls

• Avoid Abbreviations: Unless they are widely recognized, it is best to write out the publisher's name fully to avoid confusion.
• Check the Source: Always refer to the title page of a book or the copyright page to ensure you have the correct publisher information.
• Stay Updated: Publication details can change over time, so ensure you are using the most current information available.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and adhere to APA standards.

Official APA Guidance:

Publisher Information in APA Citations

In the APA 7th edition, publisher information is a critical component of citation formatting. It provides essential details about the source you are referencing, which helps readers locate the original work. Below are the key guidelines for including publisher information in your citations.

General Rules for Publisher Information

According to the APA 7th edition, the publisher's name should be included in the reference list entry for books and other standalone works. The publisher's name should be written in full and should be presented in the following format: "Publisher." If the publisher is a university, include the name as it appears, but do not include designations such as "Inc." or "Co."

If a book has multiple publishers, include only the first one listed. For works that are part of a series, include the publisher information for the specific volume, if it differs from the series publisher.

Examples of Publisher Information

1. Single Publisher Example
   For a book authored by Smith, titled "Understanding Psychology," published by Academic Press in 2020, the citation would appear as:
   Smith, J. (2020). Understanding psychology. Academic Press.

2. Multiple Publishers Example
   If a book is published by both HarperCollins and Penguin Random House, you would only list the first publisher:
   Johnson, L. (2019). The art of writing. HarperCollins.

3. University Publisher Example
   For a book published by a university press, such as "Cultural Studies" by Brown, published by University of California Press in 2021, the citation would be formatted as follows:
   Brown, A. (2021). Cultural studies. University of California Press.

Importance of Accurate Publisher Information

Accurate publisher information is vital for ensuring that readers can locate the sources you reference. It adds credibility to your work and helps avoid confusion regarding the source material. Incorrect or incomplete publisher details could lead to difficulties in tracking down the source, which undermines the reliability of your academic writing.

Practical Tips and Common Pitfalls

• Check for Accuracy: Always verify the spelling of the publisher's name and ensure that you are using the correct and most current version of the publisher's name.
• Avoid Abbreviations: Do not use abbreviations like "Inc." or "Co." in publisher names. Always write out the full name.
• Punctuation Matters: Ensure that you use periods and commas correctly to separate elements in your citations.
• Stay Updated: Be aware of any changes or updates in the APA guidelines regarding publisher information.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are formatted correctly, which enhances the quality of your academic work.

Visual Examples

Correct Format:
✅ ## Example of Publisher Information in an APA Citation

Here is a clear example of properly formatted publisher information in an APA citation:

Book Citation Example:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.

For instance:

Smith, J. A. (2020). Understanding psychology. Academic Press.

In this example, "Academic Press" is the publisher information. It is included after the title of the book and is formatted in standard title case. The publisher's name is not italicized, and it is followed by a period.

Incorrect Format:
❌ ## Incorrect Publisher Information Example

Here is an example of incorrectly formatted publisher information in an APA citation:

Incorrect Example:
Smith, J. (2020). Understanding Psychology New York: Random House.

Common Mistakes Explained

Missing Punctuation

In the example above, there is a missing period before the publisher's location. The correct format should include a period after the book title and before the location and publisher's name.

Incorrect Order of Information

The order in which the information is presented is also incorrect. In APA style, the publisher's location should come after the publisher's name, separated by a colon.

Correct Formatting

Here is the correct way to format the publisher information for the same book:

Correct Example:
Smith, J. (2020). Understanding Psychology. New York, NY: Random House.

This format includes the necessary punctuation and correctly orders the publisher's location and name.

Importance of Correct Formatting

Adhering to the correct formatting rules in APA citations is crucial for several reasons. Proper citations lend credibility to your work. They allow readers to locate the original sources and demonstrate your attention to detail. Furthermore, following the rules helps maintain consistency throughout your writing, which is essential for academic integrity.

Practical Tips to Avoid Common Pitfalls

1. Double-check Punctuation: Always ensure that periods and commas are in the right places. A quick review can prevent small mistakes that may lead to confusion.

2. Follow the Order: Remember that the format should always include the author, year of publication, title in italics, publisher location, and publisher name, in that specific order.

3. Use Standard Abbreviations: When citing locations, use standard abbreviations for states and countries where applicable. This keeps your citations looking neat and professional.

By being mindful of these aspects, you can improve the accuracy of your citations and avoid common pitfalls.

Key Rules to Remember

Key Rules for Publisher Information in APA Citations

When creating citations in APA format, it's essential to ensure that the publisher information is accurate and properly formatted. Here are the most important rules to remember regarding publisher information in APA citations.

Use the Full Name of the Publisher

• Always provide the full name of the publisher. Avoid abbreviations or acronyms unless they are well-known and widely recognized.

Example:
Correct: American Psychological Association
Incorrect: APA

Include the Publisher's Location Only When Necessary

• In APA 7th edition, the location of the publisher is no longer required in most cases. Focus on including the publisher's name and omit the city and state unless it's essential for clarity.

Example:
Correct: Penguin Random House
Incorrect: Penguin Random House, New York, NY

Ensure Accuracy and Consistency

• Double-check the spelling of the publisher's name and ensure that it matches the source exactly. Consistency in formatting throughout the reference list is also crucial.

Example:
Correct: Wiley-Blackwell
Incorrect: Wiley Blackwell

Use the Correct Formatting

• Publisher information should be presented in a specific format. The publisher's name should be italicized if it is part of a book title. The year of publication should follow the publisher's name in parentheses.

Example:
Proper citation format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Publisher.
Correct: Smith, J. (2020). Understanding psychology. Wiley-Blackwell.

Importance of Following These Rules

Adhering to these rules is essential for maintaining academic integrity. Accurate citations lend credibility to your work and ensure that readers can locate the original sources. Misrepresenting publisher information can lead to confusion and diminish the reliability of your references.

Practical Tips and Common Pitfalls

• Always verify the publisher's name through reliable sources such as the book's title page or the publisher's website.
• Remember that self-published works may have unique publisher names. Ensure that you identify and cite these appropriately.
• Keep up-to-date with any changes in APA guidelines to ensure compliance with the most current standards.

By following these key rules, you can enhance the accuracy and professionalism of your APA citations.

Step-by-Step: How to Check Publisher Info

Follow this systematic process to validate Publisher Info in your citations:

Preparation (1-2 minutes)

Step 1: Gather your citations
- [ ] Open your reference list
- [ ] Have APA manual or guide available
- [ ] Note which source types you have

Step 2: Understand what to check
- [ ] Review Publisher Info rules
- [ ] Note differences by source type
- [ ] Identify your high-risk citations

Checking Process (3-5 minutes per citation)

What You Need

Before you begin checking the publisher information in your APA citations, make sure you have the following materials ready:

1. A computer or device with internet access.
2. Access to the APA Publication Manual (7th edition), if possible.
3. The list of citations you need to check.
4. A word processing program or note-taking app to record your findings.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Checking Publisher Info in APA Citations

Step 1: Gather Your Citations

Action: Collect all the citations you need to check for publisher information.

Verification: Ensure you have a complete list of citations. You should have the full references, including authors, titles, publication years, and any available publisher information.

Time Estimate: 10-15 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Create a spreadsheet or document to organize your citations if you have many to check. This will help keep everything in one place.

Step 2: Identify the Required Publisher Information

Action: Understand what publisher information is necessary for APA citations.

Verification: In APA style, you typically need the publisher's name, and for books, the location may also be necessary. For articles, this usually isn’t required.

Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Familiarize yourself with the APA citation format for different types of sources (books, journal articles, etc.). This will streamline the process of identifying what information you need.

Step 3: Check Formatting for Publisher Information

Action: Review the formatting of the publisher information in your citations.

Verification: Ensure that the publisher's name is correctly formatted. In APA style, the publisher’s name should be in plain text. Avoid using abbreviations unless the publisher is widely recognized by its abbreviation.

Time Estimate: 15-20 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use a reference management tool that automatically formats citations in APA style. This can save time and reduce errors.

Step 4: Verify Consistency Across Citations

Action: Look for consistency in the way you present publisher information.

Verification: Make sure all citations list publishers in a similar format. If one citation lists a full name while another uses an abbreviation, it should be corrected for consistency.

Time Estimate: 10-15 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Create a checklist of common publishers and their abbreviations. This reference can help maintain consistency throughout your citations.

Step 5: Apply APA Rules for Publisher Information

Action: Ensure that all citations follow APA rules regarding publisher information.

Verification: According to APA guidelines, include the publisher's name for books and report the publisher's location only if it is necessary for the source type. For journal articles, the publisher is generally not included.

Time Estimate: 10-15 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use the APA Publication Manual or trusted online resources to quickly reference rules for specific types of citations.

Step 6: Double-Check Online Resources for Publisher Information

Action: Use reliable online databases or library catalogs to verify publisher details.

Verification: Cross-reference your citations with trusted online sources like Google Scholar, library databases, or the official publisher's website to ensure accuracy.

Time Estimate: 20-30 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use advanced search options in databases to quickly find the publisher information you need.

Step 7: Revise Your Citations Based on Findings

Action: Make any necessary corrections to your citations based on the checks you have performed.

Verification: Review your citations one last time to ensure all publisher information is accurate and consistently formatted according to APA style.

Time Estimate: 15-20 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Consider using a citation management tool that allows you to edit and automatically reformat citations quickly. This can save time compared to manual editing.

Step 8: Final Review and Save Your Work

Action: Conduct a final review of your entire list of citations, focusing on the publisher information.

Verification: Ensure that every citation is formatted correctly, with accurate and consistent publisher information. Save your work in an easily accessible format.

Time Estimate: 10-15 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Save your work in a cloud-based service to ensure you can access it from multiple devices. This allows for easy updates in the future.

By following these steps, you will effectively check the publisher information in your APA citations. Remember that attention to detail is crucial in academic writing, and taking the time to verify your citations will enhance the credibility of your work.

Verification (1-2 minutes)

Step 3: Cross-check all citations
- [ ] Compare similar citations for consistency
- [ ] Verify against official APA examples
- [ ] Use automated checker for verification

Step 4: Document changes
- [ ] Track which citations were corrected
- [ ] Note patterns in your errors
- [ ] Save corrected version

Time-Saving Tips

💡 Batch similar source types: Check all journal articles together, then all books, etc.

💡 Use Find & Replace: Use Find & Replace for...

💡 Create a checklist: Print the validation checklist and check off as you go

Common Publisher Info Errors

These are the most frequent Publisher Info errors found in APA citations:

Error Frequency Chart

Severity Key:
- High: Affects citation accuracy or findability
- Medium: Formatting issue that doesn't affect meaning
- Low: Style preference

How Publisher Info Varies by Source Type

Different source types have different Publisher Info requirements:

Journal Articles

Publisher Info format: For journal articles, the publisher information typically includes the name of the journal. In APA style, the journal title should be italicized and followed by the volume number, which should also be italicized. The issue number, if available, should be placed in parentheses and is not italicized. Page numbers follow the issue number.
What to check: Verify the journal title, volume number, issue number, page range, and DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if available.
Example: - Smith, J. A., & Doe, R. Q. (2020). The impact of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 25(3), 150-165. https://doi.org/10.1234/jpsych.2020.4567

Books

Publisher Info format: For books, the publisher's name is included after the title. The title of the book should be italicized. The publisher's name should be written out in full, omitting terms like "Company" or "Inc." unless they are part of the official name.
What to check: Verify the book's title, publisher name, year of publication, and edition if applicable.
Example: - Johnson, L. M. (2019). Understanding cognitive behavior therapy. Academic Press.

Book Chapters

Publisher Info format: When citing a chapter from an edited book, include the chapter author's name first, followed by the chapter title (not italicized), the editor's name, the book title (italicized), the page range for the chapter, and the publisher's name.
What to check: Verify the chapter title, book title, page range, editor names, and publisher.
Example: - Brown, T. A. (2021). Strategies for effective study habits. In S. Green & P. White (Eds.), Advances in educational psychology (pp. 50-70). Academic Press.

Webpages

Publisher Info format: For webpages, the publisher is typically the organization responsible for the content. The title of the webpage should be in italics, followed by the retrieval date if the content is likely to change over time.
What to check: Verify the webpage title, organization name, publication date (if available), and URL.
Example: - American Psychological Association. (2023). Understanding APA style. https://www.apa.org/style

Reports

Publisher Info format: Reports can be published by government agencies, non-profits, or other organizations. The author (if identifiable) comes first, followed by the publication year, title of the report (italicized), and the publisher’s name.
What to check: Verify the author, report title, publication year, and publisher information.
Example: - U.S. Department of Education. (2022). National assessment of educational progress: A report on student performance. U.S. Government Printing Office.

Publisher Info Validation Checklist

Use this checklist to systematically validate Publisher Info:

Pre-Check Setup

• [ ] Reference list open and visible
• [ ] APA guide available
• [ ] Highlighter or tracking system ready

Check Each Citation For:

Post-Check Verification

• [ ] All citations checked
• [ ] Corrections made
• [ ] Consistency across similar citations
• [ ] Cross-checked problematic citations

Final Check

• [ ] Run automated validation
• [ ] Review any flagged items
• [ ] Document completion date

Citations Checked: ___ / ___
Errors Found: ___
Errors Fixed: ___

Tools & Tips for Checking Publisher Info

Word Processing Features

Microsoft Word:
- Find feature: To use the Find feature in Microsoft Word, press Ctrl+F (Cmd+F on Mac). A navigation pane will open. Type in keywords related to publisher information, such as 'Publisher' or 'Published by.' This will highlight instances where you need to check the accuracy of the publisher information.
- Find & Replace: To use the Find & Replace feature, press Ctrl+H (Cmd+Shift+H on Mac). In the 'Find what' box, enter common errors or formatting issues, such as 'Publisher:' or incorrect publisher names. In the 'Replace with' box, enter the correct information. Click 'Replace All' for bulk corrections.
- Styles panel: To use the Styles panel, go to the Home tab and locate the Styles group. Select the text with the publisher information that you want to format, then click on the appropriate style (e.g., 'Normal' for body text or 'Heading 1' for section headings). This ensures consistent formatting across your document.

Google Docs:
- Find feature: In Google Docs, use the Find feature by pressing Ctrl+F (Cmd+F on Mac). A search box will appear in the upper right corner. Type in keywords related to publisher information, such as 'Publisher' or 'Published by,' to locate potential errors.
- Add-ons: To use Add-ons for citation checking, click on 'Extensions' in the menu, then select 'Add-ons' and 'Get add-ons.' Search for citation tools like 'EasyBib' or 'Cite This For Me.' After installation, follow the prompts to check your citations for accuracy.

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl+F (Windows) or Cmd+F (Mac): Find
• Ctrl+H (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+H (Mac): Find & Replace

Search Strategies

To find potential errors:
Use specific search patterns like 'Published by' or 'Publisher:' to quickly locate citations. Search for common mistake patterns such as missing italics for book titles or incorrect capitalization. Systematically check each citation by going through your references section and matching them with in-text citations.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• ⚠️ Mistakes in publisher names: Double-check the spelling and formatting of publisher names, as slight errors can affect the accuracy of your citations.
• ⚠️ Inconsistent formatting: Make sure that all citations follow the same formatting style (e.g., italics, punctuation) to maintain uniformity.
• ⚠️ Forgetting to update citations: Always update your citations after making changes to your sources or if you find new information.

Before & After Examples

These examples show common Publisher Info errors and their corrections:

Example 1: A graduate student was preparing their literature review and cited a book incorrectly, particularly focusing on the publisher information.

Context:

Before (Incorrect):
❌ Smith, J. (2021). Understanding Psychology. New York, NY: Random House Publishing.

Problem identified:

After (Correct):
✅ Smith, J. (2021). Understanding psychology. New York, NY: Random House.

What changed:
- Changed the capitalization of 'Psychology' to 'psychology'
- Removed 'Publishing' from the publisher name to correct it to 'Random House'
- Ensured the publisher name was consistent with the APA style for corporate authors

Rule applied: APA 7th edition guidelines for capitalization and publisher information

Example 2: A student is writing a research paper and needs to cite a book. They incorrectly format the publisher information in their citation.

Context:

Before (Incorrect):
❌ Smith, J. (2020). Understanding Psychology. New York: Psychology Press.

Problem identified:

After (Correct):
✅ Smith, J. (2020). Understanding psychology. New York, NY: Psychology Press.

What changed:
- Changed 'Psychology' to 'psychology' for proper capitalization of the book title.
- Added 'NY' for the state abbreviation in the publisher information.
- Changed the colon after 'New York' to a comma.

Rule applied: APA Style (7th edition) requires that book titles be in sentence case and that state abbreviations be included in publisher information.

Example 3: A student is writing a research paper and needs to cite a book but mistakenly includes incorrect publisher information.

Context:

Before (Incorrect):
❌ Smith, J. (2020). Understanding psychology. New York: Psychology Press.

Problem identified:

After (Correct):
✅ Smith, J. (2020). Understanding psychology. New York, NY: Psychology Press.

What changed:
- Added state abbreviation (NY) after the city name
- Ensured proper punctuation and formatting

Rule applied: APA 7th Edition, Section 9.8, which requires the inclusion of state abbreviations for U.S. cities

Example 4: A graduate student submitted a research paper that included a citation for a book, but the publisher information was incorrectly formatted, leading to confusion about the source.

Context:

Before (Incorrect):
❌ Smith, J. (2020). The study of environmental impact. New York: Green Press.

Problem identified:

After (Correct):
✅ Smith, J. (2020). The study of environmental impact. New York, NY: Green Press.

What changed:
- Added the state abbreviation 'NY' after the city name
- Ensured proper formatting of the publisher information
- Retained the original publication details

Rule applied: APA 7th Edition, Section 9.29 regarding publisher location

Example 5: A student submitted a paper that included a book citation, but the publisher information was incorrectly formatted. The student used an outdated edition of the APA style guide and did not include the publisher's location.

Context:

Before (Incorrect):
❌ Smith, J. (2020). Understanding psychology. New York: Psychology Press.

Problem identified:

After (Correct):
✅ Smith, J. (2020). Understanding psychology. Psychology Press.

What changed:
- Removed the location of the publisher
- Ensured proper italicization of the book title
- Checked for correct punctuation

Rule applied: APA 7th edition requires publisher location to be omitted.

Example Summary

Related Validation Guides

Check Other Elements:

Complete Checking Guides:

• Complete Citation Checking Guide → /guides/
• Reference List Validation → /how-to-check-reference-list-apa/

Related Errors:

Source-Specific Guides:

Last Updated: October 28, 2025
Reading Time: 9 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is publisher information in APA citations and why is it important?

Publisher information in APA citations refers to the name of the publishing company responsible for producing the work cited. This information is important because it helps readers locate the source material. Including the publisher's name adds credibility to the citation and allows for verification of the source. For example, if you are citing a book, the publisher's name usually appears on the title page or copyright page. In cases of academic books, the publisher can indicate the quality and reliability of the research. For detailed guidelines on citing publishers, you can refer to Section 10.5 of the APA Publication Manual.

How do I find the publisher information for a book I want to cite?

To find the publisher information for a book, start by checking the title page and the copyright page, which typically contains details about the publisher, including the name and location. If you are using an eBook, the publisher's information is often included in the introductory sections or may be found in the metadata. Additionally, online resources such as library catalogs and publisher websites can provide this information. If the book has multiple editions, ensure that you are referencing the correct publisher for the specific edition you are citing. For more information, you can consult the APA Style website.

What should I do if a publisher is not listed in my source?

If a publisher is not listed in your source, you should first check whether the source is a self-published work, as these may not have a traditional publisher. In such cases, you can use 'Author' as the publisher name if the author and publisher are the same. If the work is a report or a document produced by an organization, you may list the organization as the publisher. If you cannot find any publisher information, it is acceptable to omit this detail in your citation. However, ensure that you provide as much information as possible to maintain clarity. For further guidance, refer to the official APA Style manual.

How do I cite a work with multiple publishers in APA format?

When citing a work with multiple publishers, you should cite the primary publisher, which is often the one listed first on the title page. If the work is published by more than one organization, it is acceptable to include both if they are relevant to your citation. Use the format 'Publisher1 & Publisher2' in the citation. For example, if a book has been published by two different companies, you can structure your citation like this: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work. Publisher1 & Publisher2. Be sure to follow APA guidelines for listing multiple publishers to ensure clarity. For more detailed examples, consult the APA Style website.

Is it necessary to include the location of the publisher in APA citations?

As of the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual, it is no longer necessary to include the location of the publisher in citations. This change simplifies the citation process and reflects the global nature of publishing. You only need to provide the publisher's name. For instance, the format for a book citation would simply be: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work. Publisher. However, if you are using an older version of APA or need to reference specific guidelines for a different context, check the appropriate edition of the manual. For more information on these changes, you can visit the APA Style website.

How do I format publisher information in an APA reference list?

In an APA reference list, the publisher information should be formatted clearly to ensure easy identification. The publisher’s name should follow the title of the work and be preceded by a period. For example, the basic structure for a book citation is: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work. Publisher. Make sure to use the full name of the publisher without any abbreviations. If the publisher includes 'Inc.', 'Co.', or similar terms, include them as part of the publisher's name. Pay attention to capitalization rules as well. For detailed citation examples, refer to the APA Style website.