How to Get a Journal Indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection: Step-by-Step Strategy and FAQs

For scholarly journal publishers, Web of Science (WoS) indexing is a major milestone that can boost your journal’s reputation, visibility, and credibility. While preparing for WoS Core Collection indexing can seem daunting, breaking down each step will ensure your journal meets its robust selection criteria and garners the Journal Impact Factor (JIF) you’ve been working toward.

 

1. Why Web of Science Indexing Matters

 

1.1 Global Reach and Visibility

Web of Science is one of the largest and most authoritative citation indexes in the world. Getting your journal articles included exposes them to millions of researchers across diverse fields, increasing:

• Citations and academic influence
• Possibility of attracting high-quality submissions
• International recognition of your editorial standards

1.2 A Path to the Journal Impact Factor

A notable advantage of WoS Core Collection indexing is its link to the Journal Impact Factor (JIF), a metric that many researchers and libraries look for when deciding where to publish or which journals to invest in. Once your journal is approved for any part of the WoS Core Collection, you can become eligible for a JIF.

1.3 Strengthened Reputation

The peer-review rigor and metadata completeness required by WoS often mark journals as well-managed and respected. Meeting WoS criteria inherently prompts improvements in your editorial quality and infrastructure, which can have a ripple effect in:

• Editorial processes (e.g., reviewer management, publication timelines)
• Author and reader experiences (e.g., streamlined submissions, consistent formatting)
• Adoption of international standards (e.g., robust metadata for references and affiliations)

 

2. Inside the WoS Core Collection

 

The Web of Science Core Collection comprises multiple citation indexes covering research in the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Once a journal is accepted, it can be placed in one (or more) of the following:

1. Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)
2. Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE)
3. Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI)
4. Arts & Humanities Citation Index (AHCI)

Progression from ESCI to Other Indexes

All journals must first pass a rigorous 24-criteria quality review, which can secure a spot in the Emerging Sources Citation Index. Over time, if a journal continues to excel and meets an additional set of four “impact” criteria, it may be elevated to SCIE, SSCI, or AHCI—depending on its disciplinary focus.

 

3. WoS Core Collection Selection Criteria

 

WoS uses 28 criteria to evaluate journals, split into:

1. 24 Quality Criteria: Aiming to ensure editorial integrity and good publication practices, such as:
   • Peer review policy in place
   • Clearly stated journal scope and publication schedule
   • Article titles and abstracts in English (regardless of the primary publication language)
   • Complete editorial board details
   • Functional website with accurate journal and publisher info
   • Sufficient publication volume (demonstrating timeliness and steady output)
   • Proper citation practices (showcasing reference accuracy and relevance)
2. 4 Impact Criteria: Focusing on citation analysis, including:
   • Author-level citation metrics
   • Editorial board influence and citation trends
   • Comparative performance within your specific field or category

Quality Over Quantity

Although no explicit minimum publication history is mandated, journals should demonstrate enough published content (for at least 1–2 years) to prove consistent quality, editorial rigor, and citation traction.

 

4. Applying for WoS Indexing

 

Once you’re confident your journal meets the above benchmarks, you can submit a formal application:

4.1 Set Up a Web of Science Publisher Portal Account

1. Sign Up: Only journal publishers may apply for WoS indexing. Create an account on the Web of Science Publisher Portal.
2. Verify Your Publisher Details: Supply accurate information about your publishing entity, contact info, and the journal in question.

4.2 Submit Your Journal Details

• Upload Required Metadata: This includes ISSN, peer review policy, editorial board details, frequency of publication, etc.
• Ensure English-Language Abstracts: Even if your articles are primarily in another language, the titles, abstracts, and keywords must be in English for indexing.
• Demonstrate Editorial Policy: Clarify your processes for reviewing submissions, safeguarding research ethics, and ensuring data integrity.

4.3 Wait for the Three-Step Evaluation

1. Initial Triage: Verifies your journal is a legitimate scholarly title (e.g., valid ISSN, peer-reviewed content).
2. Editorial Triage: Reviews quality standards—format, website functionality, editorial policy, citations, etc.
3. Editorial Evaluation: Conducts deeper citation and impact analysis in context of your journal’s field.

4.4 Communication During Evaluation

• Clarivate Editors may contact you for clarification or additional materials.
• Stay responsive to queries—fast and thorough replies can expedite review.
• Typical review times vary from 3–6 months initially; ongoing reevaluations for impact-level indexing (SCIE, SSCI, AHCI) occur as the journal’s performance evolves.

 

5. What if You’re Not Accepted the First Time?

 

5.1 Common Reasons for Rejection

• Inadequate publication volume (too few issues or articles)
• Incomplete or inconsistent metadata (missing affiliations, incorrect citation formats)
• Insufficient editorial board details or unclear peer review policies
• Limited citation traction in the journal’s field

5.2 Resubmission Timelines

• Initial/Editorial Triage Failure: You can reapply as soon as you’ve remedied all flagged issues.
• Editorial Quality Evaluation Failure: You must usually wait two years before reapplying.

Use the intervening period to:

• Strengthen editorial policies and guidelines
• Improve metadata quality (ORCID iDs, DOIs, affiliation details)
• Grow your network of authors and reviewers
• Increase citations and visibility by targeting appropriate audiences, conferences, and collaborations

 

6. Frequently Asked Questions

 

6.1 How Long Does Evaluation Typically Take?

• The initial decision (covering “initial triage” to “editorial evaluation”) often takes 3–6 months.
• Ongoing performance checks occur over multiple years—especially for promotion from ESCI to SCIE, SSCI, or AHCI.

6.2 Do I Need to Reapply to Progress from ESCI to a Flagship Index?

• No. Once in ESCI, WoS continuously monitors your journal’s citation performance. If you meet higher-impact thresholds, you’ll automatically be considered for SCIE, SSCI, or AHCI.

6.3 Does Every WoS Core Collection Journal Get a Journal Impact Factor (JIF)?

• Yes! As of 2022, Clarivate allocates a JIF to all journals in the WoS Core Collection, including the ESCI and AHCI.

6.4 Are There Different Criteria for Open Access Journals?

• No. The WoS Core Collection criteria are the same for subscription-based and open-access titles. A robust editorial process and overall quality are what matter.

6.5 My Journal Already Appears on WoS Searches via Other Databases—Do I Still Need to Apply?

• Yes, if you want to be in the Core Collection specifically. Many journals appear in WoS through specialty databases (MEDLINE, BIOSIS, etc.), regional indices, or aggregator platforms, but only Core Collection inclusion grants the JIF and the full benefits of WoS indexing.

 

7. Final Thoughts

 

Achieving Web of Science Core Collection indexing is undeniably a prestigious milestone. It elevates your journal’s visibility, credibility, and metrics (like the JIF). However, success demands consistent editorial rigor, transparent publishing practices, and accurate metadata management.

If you’re not accepted on your first try, don’t be discouraged. Build a stronger infrastructure—expand your citation networks, fine-tune your website, and refine editorial guidelines—then reapply once you’ve addressed the gaps.

How research.conductscience.com Can Help

At research.conductscience.com, we’re dedicated to supporting journals looking to reach their full potential—whether you need guidance on:

• Metadata best practices
• Editorial management systems
• Citation-building strategies

We’re here to help you optimize workflows and enhance the overall quality of your journal. Reach out to our team for personalized advice on getting indexed in WoS and other leading databases.

Ready to set your journal on a path to indexing success?
Start by assessing whether you meet WoS’s core quality benchmarks—then use your application as a powerful incentive to refine your editorial processes. Before you know it, you could be on your way to a Journal Impact Factor and a broader global audience.