Short answer: Take the journal's ISSN from its website, confirm it on the ISSN Portal, then search for that ISSN in the latest Embase journal title list from Elsevier. If you have Embase access, search the journal name to confirm its recent articles are in the database. That is the whole check, and it takes about ten minutes.
"Embase indexed" is one of the most valuable labels a biomedical journal can carry, which is also why it is one of the most misused. Before you submit, it is worth confirming the claim yourself. Here is the step-by-step method we use for every journal in our own network.
Step 1: Get the journal's exact ISSN
Find the ISSN on the journal's own website, usually in the footer, the "About" page or on the cover of a recent issue. Many journals have two: a print ISSN and an electronic ISSN (eISSN). Note both.
Search by ISSN, not by title. Journal names are often similar, and hijacked or cloned journals copy the exact title of a real one. The ISSN is the identifier that cannot be shared.
Step 2: Confirm the ISSN is real
Search the number on the ISSN Portal, the official register run by the ISSN International Centre. Check that:
- the ISSN exists and is assigned to the same title,
- the publisher and country match what the journal website says,
- the journal's URL in the record matches the site you are on.
If the ISSN belongs to a different title or the website address does not match, stop here. That is a common sign of a cloned journal.
Step 3: Search the Embase journal title list
Elsevier publishes a list of every journal covered by Embase on its Embase product pages, usually as a downloadable spreadsheet. Download the latest version, open it, and search for the ISSN (try both print and electronic).
- Found: the journal is covered. Note any coverage status or start year listed.
- Not found: try searching the title as well, since ISSNs are sometimes recorded in a different format (with or without the hyphen). If it is still missing, the journal is not currently indexed.
Tip: the list is updated over time as journals are added or removed. An old copy saved on a colleague's laptop, or a screenshot posted by a journal, is not proof. Always check the current version from Elsevier.
Step 4: Confirm recent articles appear in Embase
If you have Embase access through your institution, run a journal search for the title and look at the most recent records. You want to see articles from the last few issues. If coverage stopped some years ago, the journal may still appear in old records while no longer being indexed today.
No Embase access? Ask the journal for the Embase record link of a recently published article. A genuinely indexed journal can provide one easily.
Step 5: Check the rest of the journal's credentials
Embase coverage is one signal. A trustworthy journal will also have:
- a named editorial board with verifiable affiliations,
- a clear peer review policy and published author guidelines,
- Crossref DOIs on its articles that resolve correctly at doi.org,
- transparent fees stated before submission.
Red flags of fake Embase indexing claims
| Red flag | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| An Embase or Elsevier logo but no ISSN | Logos are easy to copy. Without an ISSN you cannot verify anything. |
| "Indexing applied for" or "under evaluation" shown as indexed | A journal is either on the list or it is not. |
| The ISSN on the site belongs to another title | A classic sign of a hijacked or cloned journal. |
| A fee for "Embase registration" of your single article | Authors do not register articles with Embase. Coverage is agreed at journal level. |
| Can't provide a link to any recent Embase record | Indexed journals can show their articles in the database. |
Embase journal search vs Scopus and PubMed checks
The same ISSN-first approach works for other databases. For Scopus, use the free Scopus Sources list. For PubMed and MEDLINE, search the NLM Catalog for the journal and check its "Current Indexing Status". Being in one database does not mean a journal is in the others; each has its own selection process. Our explainer on what an indexed journal is covers the differences.
How we verify our journals
Every journal on our journals list shows its ISSN, so you can run these checks yourself before submitting. We confirm indexing against the current Embase list before adding any journal to our network. Learn more about our Embase indexed publication service.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find the Embase journal list?
Elsevier publishes the Embase journal title list on its Embase product website as a downloadable spreadsheet. It lists every journal currently covered, with ISSNs, and is updated regularly. Always download the latest version rather than relying on an old copy.
Can I check Embase indexing without a subscription?
Yes. The Embase journal title list is free to download. You only need a subscription, usually through your library, if you want to search Embase itself to confirm that recent articles from the journal appear in the database.
What is the most reliable way to identify a journal?
The ISSN. Journal titles are often similar or deliberately copied, but each ISSN is unique. Match the print ISSN or eISSN shown on the journal website against the ISSN Portal and the Embase list.
A journal says it is Embase indexed but I cannot find it. What should I do?
Ask the journal for its exact ISSN and the year Embase coverage began, then check again. If it still is not on the current Embase list, treat the claim as unverified and do not submit until it is confirmed.