How to embed quotations in HTML

HTML quotation elements are used to integrate quoted text passages from other sources into a website. Depending on the scenario, you can use <blockquote>, <q>, <cite> or cite. The advantage of HTML quotation elements is that they break up continuous text, enhance search engine optimization and improve content delivery.

What are HTML quotation elements?

HTML quotation elements are special HTML tags that are used to mark and display quotations in HTML documents. The two most important HTML tags for quotations are the <blockquote> tag and the <q> tag. There is also a third alternative, the <cite> tag or cite attribute, which is specifically suited for citing sources. Much like HTML lists and HTML tables, adding quotations in HTML is a great way to avoid walls of text and make content more engaging.

Using tags not only enhances the visual appeal of texts but also improves the document’s semantic structure. This helps search engines and other web technologies better interpret and process the meaning of quotes, which ultimately boosts content discoverability and accessibility.

What are the different ways to create quotations in HTML?

How exactly you integrate a quotation into your HTML documents depends on which tag you choose. In the following sections, we‘ve summarized the three possible variants for you and provided some examples as well.

<q> tag

The <q> tag in HTML allows quotes to be integrated into text and marked with quotation marks. This way, you don’t need to interrupt the continuous text and can visually highlight the directly or indirectly quoted text for readers. Since quotation marks are automatically added at the beginning and end of the quoted passage when using the <q> tags, there is no need to manually insert them. Quotes with <q> tags are typically used for shorter text passages or direct speech, where the continuity of the text remains uninterrupted.

The following example shows the syntax:

<p>Here is the text <q>Here is a quote</q></p>

<blockquote> tag

Block quotes are quotations that stand out through an indented paragraph or a thin border. To differentiate a passage from the main text, use the <blockquote> tag. This helps break up text, avoiding large, monotonous blocks, while emphasizing key points and supporting important statements with direct quotes. Additionally, by using various design elements, you create a text structure that is SEO-friendly. Block quotes are typically used for longer quotations, but they can also be used to visually emphasize a sentence that is important or links.

The main function of the <blockquote> tag is to instruct browsers to visually mark text elements. How the blockquote is ultimately formatted may vary depending on the browser. If you want to define the form of a blockquote, you can use HTML attributes or CSS instructions such as padding for the inner spacing of the text, border for the thickness and color of the border or address for the font color.

Syntax:

<p>Below is the corresponding quote</p>
<blockquote>
“Here is the quote.”
</blockquote>

<cite> or cite

When quoting, it’s not only important to mark the text as a quote, but also to provide the source whenever possible. This ensures that readers can immediately understand where a quote comes from. This is not only part of good quoting style, but also enhances your credibility and transparency. For both <q> and <blockquote> tags, you can use either the cite attribute or the <cite> element:

HTML attribute cite

The cite attribute is used to specify sources of a citation as a reference. It is used for block quotations in particular and is usually not displayed by the browser if the information is useful for other technologies such as screen readers or SEO bots.

Syntax:

<p>Below is the corresponding quote</p>
<blockquote cite="https://example.com/source">
“Here is the quote.”
</blockquote>

The source could appear as follows in the text:

“Here is a quote.” - Source: https://example.com/source

HTML <cite>

The HTML element <cite> is used to emphasize the title of a cited work within the text, typically by displaying it in italics. Clearly identifying your references and ensuring proper citation enhances transparency, improves traceability and adds credibility to your work.

Syntax:

<p>The quote is from <cite>source</cite></p>

In the text, the citation could appear as follows:

“The quote is from (source reference).”