A strategic approach

Inclusion in recognized databases and discovery services makes publications more accessible, increases citations, and signals quality to authors and readers. 

Approach the listing of your journal  strategically: start with open access visibility services (such as the Directory of Open Access Journals), then target subject-specific databases and finally market-driven citation indexes such as Scopus or Web of Science.

To get accepted into these indexes, a journal needs to demonstrate high-quality metadata, consistent publication standards, and transparent editorial practices.To establish these and the application processes themselves can take time. For example, inclusion in the Directory of Open Access Journals may take several months, while major citation indexes such as Scopus or Web of Science typically require at least two years of consistent publication history. Setting realistic expectations is therefore crucial, especially for newly established journals.

 

Before applying with most indexing services, journals should ensure that they meet basic selection criteria. These typically include:

  • ISSN (print and/or online)
  • DOIs for all articles (e.g. via Crossref membership)
  • Machine-readable information about the license (CC BY, for example)
  • A clearly documented peer review process
  • Publication ethics policies aligned with COPE guidelines
  • Structured abstracts and relevant keywords

These are often the first and most important registries for Diamond OA journals, as they ensure global visibility and accessibility.

  • Diamond Discovery Hub https://ddh.edch.eu/en
  • Directory of Open Access Journals (central quality-controlled OA index)
  • Google Scholar (broad academic discoverability across disciplines) 

Depending on the discipline, specialized indexing services can be highly relevant. E.g.

  • PubMed / MEDLINE (life sciences and medicine)
  • IEEE Xplore (engineering and computer science)
  • SSRN (social sciences)
  • erih+ (European Reference Index for the Humanities and Social Sciences)
  • EconLit (economics)

More information on subject-specific repositories can be found at: https://open-access.network/informieren/open-access-in-fachdisziplinen

In some disciplines, inclusion in big, interdisciplinary databases counts for academic recognition, evaluation, and institutional visibility.

  • Scopus
  • Web of Science