For academics and engineers, publishing in a conference proceeding is not just about presenting your work—it's about ensuring it becomes part of the permanent, searchable scientific record. Indexing by prestigious databases like EI Compendex (the most comprehensive engineering database) and Scopus (Elsevier’s abstract and citation database) is the gold standard for visibility and credibility.
However, many conferences make vague or misleading claims about their indexing status. So, how can you be sure? This guide provides a step-by-step method to verify a conference's indexing claims and avoid predatory or low-quality events.Method 1: Check the Official Database Source Lists (The Most Reliable Way)
The most direct method is to check the official lists of indexed sources provided by Scopus and EI Compendex themselves.
To Check Scopus:
1. Go to the Scopus Sources Page: Navigate to the official Scopus "Sources" page (https://www.scopus.com/sources).
2. Search for the Publication Title: Conferences are often published as part of a series or a specific proceedings title. Search for the name of the proceedings (e.g., "Procedia Computer Science," "Lecture Notes in Computer Science"). Searching for the conference acronym (e.g., "ICIP 2026") is less likely to yield results here.
3. Analyze the Results: If the publication series is listed, Scopus will show its coverage years. This confirms that the publisher has an agreement with Scopus.
To Check EI Compendex:
1. Visit the Engineering Village Website: EI Compendex is accessed via Engineering Village. Go to the official source list page (you can search for "EI Compendex source list" on your preferred search engine).
2. Download the List: The list is typically available as an Excel or PDF file.
3. Search the Document: Once downloaded, search the list for the name of the conference proceedings series.
Important Note: These lists confirm that a publication series is indexed. The final inclusion of a specific conference volume still depends on the publisher submitting the papers correctly and on time.
Method 2: Check the Publisher's Indexing Information
Reputable publishers are transparent about where their content is indexed.
1. Identify the Publisher: Who is publishing the conference proceedings? Look for well-known publishers like IEEE, Springer, Elsevier, ACM, IOP, or AIP.
2. Visit the Publisher’s Series Page: For example, if the proceedings are part of a Springer series like "Lecture Notes in Computer Science" (LNCS), visit the LNCS homepage on Springer's website. It will explicitly list the abstracting and indexing (A&I) services that cover the series.
3. Confirm the Indexing: If the publisher's page for that specific proceedings series states it is indexed in Scopus and/or EI Compendex, this is a very strong positive signal.
Method 3: Look for Past Proceedings (The Historical Evidence)
A conference's track record is one of the best predictors of future indexing.
1. Identify Past Conferences: Look for the websites or proceedings of the same conference from previous years (e.g., the 2024 or 2023 edition).
2. Search for Past Papers in the Databases: Go to the Scopus or Engineering Village (for EI Compendex) search portals. Search for papers from that specific conference and year. For example, search for "ICIP 2024" within the "Conference Name" field.
3. Verify Indexing: If you find a substantial number of papers from past years consistently indexed, it is highly probable that the upcoming 2026 conference will be as well. If you cannot find any trace of past proceedings, be very cautious.
Red Flags and Warning Signs to Watch For
• Vague Language: Be wary of phrases like "will be submitted to..." or "indexing is expected in..." This is not a guarantee. Reputable conferences will state, "proceedings will be published in..." and name a specific, verifiable series.
• Overly Broad Topics: A conference that claims to cover everything from "nanotechnology to business management" is often a red flag for a low-quality or predatory event.
• No History: A brand-new conference with no history and no affiliation with a major academic society or university is a risk.
• Unprofessional Website: Poor grammar, typos, and a non-professional website are often signs of a predatory conference.
Conclusion:
Verifying EI Compendex and Scopus indexing requires a few minutes of investigative work, but it is an essential step to protect your research. Always trust the official database source lists and the track record of reputable publishers over the claims made on a conference website. This due diligence ensures your hard work will be recognized and valued within the global academic community.
