Ever found yourself staring at a flashing cursor, wondering if you should type "on this website" or "in this website"? You're definitely not alone. It feels like one of those tiny grammatical glitches that shouldn't matter, but then you realize you’ve spent ten minutes googling it instead of finishing your blog post. Honestly, language is weird. Most of the time, we just wing it based on what sounds "right" in our heads.
But here’s the thing. Prepositions are the bane of every writer's existence because they don't always follow a logical roadmap. When you're talking about the internet, the rules get even fuzzier. We say "on the internet" but "in a book." So where does a website fit?
The short answer? On this website is usually your best bet.
Think about how we view digital spaces. We treat them like surfaces or platforms. You see a picture on a screen. You read an article on a page. Because a website is essentially a collection of digital pages, our brains naturally gravitate toward "on." It’s become the industry standard for UI/UX writers and digital marketers alike. If you look at the documentation for massive tech giants like Google or Apple, you’ll almost exclusively see them using "on."
Why "On This Website" Dominates Our Digital Vocabulary
The reason "on this website" wins most of the time is rooted in how we perceive the web. It's a platform. We talk about being "on" Facebook or "on" Reddit. You wouldn't tell a friend, "Hey, I saw this crazy video in TikTok." That sounds wrong, right? It’s because we view social media and websites as stages where content is performed or displayed.
There’s a bit of history here, too. Early web design borrowed heavily from the physical world. We have "homepages," "bookmarks," and "folders." Since you find information on a page in a physical book, that logic jumped the fence into the digital world. Linguists call this a conceptual metaphor. We treat the digital "page" as a flat surface, even though it’s actually just a bunch of code executing on a server miles away.
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Specific examples of this are everywhere. If you go to a site’s "Terms of Service," they usually start with something like, "By using the services provided on this website..." It’s formal, it’s standard, and it’s what people expect.
Does Anyone Ever Use "In This Website"?
Actually, yeah. But it’s rare and usually very specific.
You might use "in this website" if you are talking about the internal structure or the code itself. Imagine you’re a developer talking to a client about a bug. You might say, "The error is buried somewhere in this website’s backend." Here, you’re treating the website like a container or a complex machine. You’re talking about what’s inside the engine room, not what’s on the surface for the user to see.
It also pops up in academic writing or very technical documentation. Sometimes, researchers might refer to data found "in this website," viewing the site as a database or a silo of information. But for 99% of us? It’s going to be "on."
The Logic of Prepositions in Tech
Prepositions are basically the "vibe check" of grammar. There isn’t always a hard-and-fast rule written in stone, but there is a collective agreement.
- On is for platforms, surfaces, and broadcasts. (On the web, on TV, on a site).
- In is for containers, volumes, and physical spaces. (In a file, in a folder, in a database).
Let’s get nerdy for a second. If you look at the Oxford English Dictionary or the Chicago Manual of Style, they don't have a specific "Thou Shalt Use On" commandment for websites. However, they do emphasize clarity and common usage. Common usage today is overwhelmingly on the side of "on."
Language evolves. Twenty years ago, people were still arguing about whether to capitalize the "W" in "Web." Now, we don't even think about it. The "on vs. in" debate is heading the same way. "On" has simply won the popularity contest.
When "In" Feels More Natural
Wait. There are times when "in" is actually the better choice, but usually, it's because you've added another word to the mix.
Take the phrase "in this website's archives." Here, the "in" is actually attached to "archives," not the website. You’re in the archives, which happen to belong to the website. Subtle, but important. Or if you say, "I found the info in a section of this website." Again, you’re "in the section."
Honestly, if you're ever in doubt, just read the sentence out loud. If it sounds clunky or like a non-native speaker wrote it, you’ve probably used "in" where "on" should be. Most people have a built-in "ear" for this stuff even if they can't explain why.
Global Variations and ESL Nuances
It’s worth noting that for folks who speak English as a second language, this is a nightmare. In many languages—like Spanish, French, or German—the distinction between "in" and "on" is handled by a single word or a different logic entirely.
For example, in Spanish, en can mean both "in" and "on." So, a native Spanish speaker might naturally say "in this website" because that’s how their brain translates en este sitio web. If you're writing for a global audience, sticking to "on" helps keep your English sounding natural to native ears while still being perfectly understandable to everyone else.
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Why Your Choice Matters for SEO and User Experience
You might think Google doesn't care about a tiny preposition. You'd be partially wrong.
While Google's AI is smart enough to know that "on this website" and "in this website" mean the same thing, user experience (UX) is a ranking factor. If your copy feels "off" or slightly ungrammatical, users might lose a tiny bit of trust in your authority. It’s that split-second "wait, what?" that causes a bounce.
Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) are huge in 2026. Part of looking like an expert is mastering the jargon of the medium. In the tech world, that means using "on" for platforms. It shows you’re a native of the digital space.
A Quick Check for Your Content
If you're auditing your current site and want to clean this up, don't sweat it too much. You don't need to go on a scorched-earth mission to delete every "in." But if you’re writing new landing pages or a "Contact Us" section, stick to the script.
Better: "You will find more resources on this website."
A Bit Weird: "You will find more resources in this website."
Practical Tips for Clearer Writing
Writing for the web isn't just about prepositions. It's about flow. If you're worried about "on this website" sounding repetitive, try these alternatives:
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- Use "here": "You can find the pricing here" instead of "on this website."
- Use the site name: "Check out the latest news on [Site Name]."
- Use "our site": "We've updated the features on our site."
Mixing it up keeps the reader engaged. Nobody wants to read the same phrase five times in a row. It makes you look like a bot. And since Google is currently hunting down AI-generated slop, sounding human is your biggest competitive advantage.
Common Phrases to Watch
| Phrase | Correct/Standard | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Found [on/in] this website | On | Treats the site as a platform. |
| Registered [on/in] this website | On | You register on a platform. |
| Logged [on/in] this website | In | "Logged in" is a phrasal verb; the "to" usually follows (Logged in to this website). |
| Code [on/in] this website | In | Refers to the internal structure. |
Moving Forward With Your Copy
The goal of any good piece of writing is to be invisible. You want the reader to focus on your message, not your grammar. By choosing "on this website," you're following the path of least resistance. You're giving the reader exactly what they expect to see, which keeps them moving down the page toward your call to action.
If you’re a developer, stick to "in" when you’re talking about the guts of the system. If you’re a blogger, marketer, or casual user, stick to "on." It's really that simple.
Don't overthink it. Most people won't notice if you use "on," but they definitely might pause if you use "in." In the world of web content, silence is a sign of success. It means your writing is smooth enough that the reader didn't have to stop and think about the mechanics of the sentence.
Actionable Steps for Your Website
- Review your CTA (Call to Action): Check buttons or links that say things like "Register in this website." Change them to "Register on this site" or just "Register here."
- Update your About Page: This is usually where "on this website" appears most frequently. Ensure the tone is consistent.
- Check your footer: "All content found in this website" sounds a bit dated. "All content on this website" is the modern standard.
- Use Search and Replace: If you have a massive site, do a quick search for "in this website" to see if it’s popping up in places that feel clunky.
Mastering these tiny nuances is what separates professional copy from amateur filler. It’s a small tweak, but it’s one that builds a more cohesive, authoritative voice for your brand. Now, go fix those prepositions and get back to the real work.