How to Verify if a Conference Is Indexed in Web of Science (ISI/WoS)
When preparing to attend or submit a paper to a conference, one of the most important considerations is whether the event is indexed in Web of Science, often referred to by researchers as ISI or WoS. Conferences indexed there are globally recognized and provide significant academic credibility, papers published in WoS-indexed conferences receive greater visibility, are more likely to be cited, and are recognized by universities and research institutions worldwide. Because some organizers make misleading claims, it’s essential to know how to verify the indexing status yourself rather than relying on the conference’s own assurances.
Why it matters if a conference is indexed in Web of Science
Web of Science is one of the most trusted academic research databases in the world. For researchers, especially those aiming for career advancement or academic recognition, choosing a WoS-indexed conference ensures their work is taken seriously in the scientific community and remains discoverable for years after the event itself has ended.
Use the Master Journal List, the same tool used for journals
Web of Science’s Master Journal List (MJL) covers both journals and indexed conference proceedings. Searching the proceedings name, publisher, or ISSN directly there, at mjl.clarivate.com, is the primary way to confirm indexing status, and it’s the same authoritative source Clarivate itself points researchers to when questions come up.
Conferences are typically indexed under their proceedings or series title
A specific conference edition’s indexing status usually appears under the name of its published proceedings series rather than the event’s marketing name, which can differ slightly. If a direct search returns nothing, trying the publisher’s series name, IEEE, Springer, or similar, often surfaces it.
Web of Science has its own separate index for conference proceedings
The Conference Proceedings Citation Index (CPCI) is the specific Web of Science index covering conference content, distinct from the main journal citation indexes. Confirming a conference appears specifically in CPCI, not just somewhere in the broader Web of Science ecosystem, is the precise check worth making before you submit or register.
Don’t rely on a conference’s own claim of WoS indexing
As with Scopus, some organizers claim Web of Science indexing without it being current or accurate. A direct MJL search takes a few minutes and is worth doing before every submission, not just ones that already feel suspicious, since even established-sounding conferences can let their indexing lapse without updating their marketing.
If results are unclear, contact Clarivate directly or check with your library
University libraries with a Web of Science subscription often have staff familiar with indexing verification who can help resolve an ambiguous case faster than a general search alone, worth reaching out to your institution’s research librarian if a search leaves you uncertain.
Verification steps at a glance
- Search the Master Journal List at mjl.clarivate.com by proceedings name, publisher, or ISSN
- Try the publisher’s series name if the conference’s marketing name doesn’t return results
- Confirm specifically that it appears in CPCI, not just generally in Web of Science
- Contact your institution’s research librarian if the result stays unclear
Frequently asked questions
Is CPCI the same thing as Web of Science generally?
No, CPCI is a specific index within the broader Web of Science platform, dedicated to conference proceedings. A conference needs to appear specifically there, not just be mentioned somewhere in the platform.
Can I trust a publisher’s claim that their proceedings are WoS-indexed?
Treat it as a starting point, not confirmation. Publishers like IEEE and Springer are generally reliable, but verifying the specific conference and year directly still matters.
What if the conference is indexed in Scopus but not Web of Science, or vice versa?
This happens and isn’t automatically a red flag, the two databases apply separate evaluation criteria. See our companion guide on verifying Scopus indexing to check the other database too.