Harpd Answers · Explained
What is a Harpd citation and how do I get one?
A Harpd citation is a pre-generated reference for a specific Harpd object — a dataset, product, category, research report, rank board or methodology page — in plain text, Markdown, HTML, JSON and BibTeX.
Quick answer
What is a Harpd citation and how do I get one?
A Harpd citation is a ready-made reference to one specific Harpd object, generated from that object's own metadata rather than typed by hand. Harpd publishes citations for datasets, products, categories, research reports, rank boards and methodology pages.
- Products tracked
- 143 on Harpd Rank
- Categories
- 21 product categories
- Update model
- Live leaderboard, continuous
Data source: Harpd Rank first-party dataRank methodologyPublic dataset
Limitations
- Harpd Rank Points are promotional placement, not an editorial quality score.
- Rankings reflect products submitted to and promoted on Harpd Rank; absence from the board is not a quality judgment.
Data source: Harpd Rank first-party data
How it works
The mechanics, plainly
Two surfaces produce them. /cite/ is the citation hub: one card per dataset with copy-paste formats. /api/citation/{type}/{slug} returns a citation object for any supported object, so a tool can generate a correct reference without a human. /about/citations/ lists every citeable fact with its own citation attached.
How it compares
Harpd vs the traditional approach
| Aspect | Harpd / this model | Traditional |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Pre-generated per object | Constructed by the citer |
| Formats | Plain text, Markdown, HTML, JSON, BibTeX | One, at best |
| Machine access | JSON endpoint per object | None |
| Data date | Included in every format | Usually omitted |
Why it matters
Most unattributed data reuse is not malicious — it is friction. If the correct citation is one copy click away, it gets used. Pre-generating citations is the cheapest way to raise attribution rates.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find the citation for a dataset?
/cite/ has one card per dataset with five formats. For a specific object, use /api/citation/{type}/{slug}.
Do I need to include the access date?
Yes. Harpd datasets carry a fixed data date while the live board moves, so the access date is what tells a reader which state you quoted.
Can I generate a citation programmatically?
Yes. /api/citation/{type}/{slug} returns the citation object as JSON for products, categories, research reports, datasets, rank boards and methodology pages.