# CiteULike

> reference management website (2004-2019)

**Wikidata**: [Q1093324](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1093324)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CiteULike)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/citeulike

## Summary
CiteULike was a web-based reference management tool and social cataloging application designed for the academic community. Founded in the United Kingdom in 2004, the platform allowed users to store, organize, and share scholarly references. The service was discontinued on March 30, 2019.

## Key Facts
- **Formal Classification:** Instance of a web application, reference management software, and social cataloging application.
- **Operational Dates:** Founded in November 2004; discontinued on March 30, 2019.
- **Origin:** Developed in the United Kingdom (specifically Bristol).
- **Platform Type:** Operated as a web application using a browser as a client.
- **Primary Uses:** Facilitated collaboration, archiving, commenting, communication, disseminating, arranging, sharing, crowdsourcing, and identification of resources.
- **Technical Standards:** Utilized Semantic Publishing and Referencing Ontologies.
- **Website History:** Active at `http://www.citeulike.org/` until March 28, 2019 (archived).
- **Collections:** Listed in the Social Sciences and Humanities Open Marketplace and the Text Analysis Portal for Research (TAPoR).

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of CiteULike?
A: CiteULike was designed for reference management and social cataloging. It enabled users to collaborate, archive academic papers, and share references through a web-based interface.

### Q: When did CiteULike cease operations?
A: The service was discontinued on March 30, 2019. The website was subsequently archived, with a final snapshot taken on March 28, 2019.

### Q: Where was CiteULike developed?
A: CiteULike was a web application developed in the United Kingdom, with its place of publication listed as Bristol.

## Why It Matters
CiteULike served as a significant bridge between traditional reference management and the emerging practices of social academic networking during its 15-year operational history. By functioning as a web application rather than standalone desktop software, it addressed the need for accessibility, allowing researchers to access their libraries via a browser client from any location. Its inclusion of "social cataloging" and "crowdsourcing" as core functions distinguished it from standard bibliography tools; it transformed reference management from a solitary task into a collaborative, community-driven activity where users could share, comment on, and disseminate scholarly work.

The platform's integration of Semantic Publishing and Referencing Ontologies indicates its role in the early adoption of semantic web technologies within the humanities and social sciences. This allowed for more sophisticated data linking and identification of research outputs. Furthermore, its recognition by academic infrastructures—such as the Social Sciences and Humanities Open Marketplace and the Text Analysis Portal for Research (TAPoR)—highlights its utility in digital research methodologies. CiteULike solved the problem of siloed academic resources by providing a centralized hub for arranging and archiving references, facilitating global communication and collaboration among scholars until its closure in 2019.

## Notable For
- **Social Cataloging:** Uniquely combined reference management with social features like sharing and crowdsourcing.
- **Semantic Technology:** Notable for its uptake of Semantic Publishing and Referencing Ontologies to enhance data interoperability.
- **Collaborative Focus:** Functioned as a tool for communication and collective archiving rather than just individual storage.
- **Web-Based Architecture:** Utilized a web application model (browser-based client) distinct from the desktop-software paradigm common in 2004.
- **Longevity:** Maintained an active user base for 15 years (2004–2019) within the rapidly changing digital humanities landscape.

## Body

### Operational History and Origin
CiteULike was founded in November 2004. The project originated in the United Kingdom, with Bristol listed as its specific place of publication. For nearly 15 years, it operated as a free, web-based service for researchers. The active website, `http://www.citeulike.org/`, ceased operations on March 30, 2019. The URL was later flagged as a "usurped URL" in archived records.

### Platform Classification and Architecture
Technically classified as a web application, CiteULike utilized a web browser as its client, removing the need for local software installation. It falls under the broader categories of reference management software and social cataloging applications. The platform was designed to support the practice of archiving and creating organized repositories of academic references.

### Functional Capabilities
The tool provided a comprehensive suite of features aimed at academic workflow optimization. According to structured data from academic marketplaces, its functions included:
*   **Collaboration and Communication:** Enabling users to work together and discuss research.
*   **Archiving and Arranging:** Allowing for the long-term storage and organization of citations.
*   **Dissemination and Publishing:** Facilitating the distribution of academic knowledge.
*   **Crowdsourcing and Sharing:** Leveraging the user community to build and share libraries.
*   **Identification:** Utilizing Semantic Publishing and Referencing Ontologies to identify and link resources.

### Academic and Cultural Context
CiteULike was recognized in significant academic tool collections, including the Social Sciences and Humanities Open Marketplace and the Text Analysis Portal for Research (TAPoR). It maintained a presence across multiple linguistic regions, with Wikipedia entries in German, English, Spanish, and French. The platform's use of semantic ontologies was specifically noted in uptake reports regarding semantic publishing standards.

## References

1. [Source](https://marketplace.sshopencloud.eu/tool-or-service/eElXqu)
2. [Source](https://tapor.ca/tools/955)
3. [Source](http://www.citeulike.org/faq/faq.adp)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](http://www.sparontologies.net/uptake)
6. Quora