Web of Science (WoS) Author Profiles help researchers establish a verified scholarly identity, track citation performance, and showcase global research impact. These profiles are automatically generated for authors whose work appears in Web of Science Core Collection indexed journals — and they play a key role in academic credibility.
What is a Web of Science Author Profile?
A Web of Science Author Profile is an authenticated academic identity that consolidates an author’s publications, citations, research fields, collaboration networks, and impact metrics across the Web of Science database.
It helps:
- Identify and credit your research accurately
- Avoid name confusion with other authors
- Display your citation performance and research history
- Track global recognition and collaborations
- Support funding and academic evaluations
Key Features of Web of Science Author Profiles
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Unique Researcher ID (ResearcherID) | Prevents author name duplication |
| Verified publication list | Accurate tracking of scholarly output |
| Citation metrics & trends | Evaluate academic growth |
| H-Index & citation count | Research influence & productivity |
| Subject & discipline classification | Visibility in relevant fields |
| Collaboration maps | Shows research networks |
| Institutional affiliation verification | Ensures academic authenticity |
| Connection to Publons | Peer-review and editorial activity record |
Why a WoS Profile is Important
- Academic reputation & global visibility
- Strengthens promotion, tenure, and grant applications
- Verified peer review & editorial contributions via Publons
- Enhanced credibility in scholarly community
- Better networking and collaboration opportunities
Web of Science vs. Google Scholar Author Profiles
| Feature | WoS | Google Scholar |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy |  Highly curated |  Prone to errors |
| Journal Quality | Indexed/validated | Mixed quality sources |
| Citation Metrics | Structured and reliable | Broad — includes all citations |
| Profile Creation | Semi-automatic | Manual setup |
| Peer-Review Records | Via Publons |  Not available |
How to Claim Your Web of Science Author Profile
- Go to: https://www.webofscience.com
- Search your name and locate your author entry
- Click “Claim My Record”
- Sign in or create a Web of Science / Publons account
- Review publications and verify authorship
- Sync ORCID for automatic updates
- Complete personal details and research areas
Tip: Ensure your ORCID and ResearcherID are linked for seamless updates.
Integration With Research Systems
| Platform | Integration |
|---|---|
| ORCID | Full sync |
| Publons | Peer-review record integration |
| Scopus | Separate system |
| Google Scholar | Manual updates |
| Institution profile systems | Recommended |
Useful Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Access Web of Science | https://www.webofscience.com |
| ResearcherID login | https://www.researcherid.com |
| Publons dashboard | https://publons.com |
| ORCID registration | https://orcid.org |
Common Issues & Solutions
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Duplicate profiles | Contact support to merge |
| Missing publications | Add manually or sync ORCID |
| Wrong affiliation | Update profile settings |
| Name mismatch | Add alternative spellings |
FAQ — Web of Science Author Profiles
Q1: Is a WoS author profile free?
Yes — creating and claiming your profile is free.
Q2: I can’t find my profile — what does it mean?
Your articles may not yet be indexed in WoS Core Collection.
Q3: Can I manually add publications?
Yes — but verification is required.
Q4: How long does verification take?
Usually 3–14 days.
Q5: Does WoS index all journals?
No — only journals meeting strict indexing criteria.
Q6: Should I link my ORCID?
Absolutely — ensures automatic updates and accuracy.
Q7: Can I import citations from Google Scholar?
No — citation systems are independent.
Q8: Does a WoS profile affect my Impact Factor?
Indirectly — better visibility can increase citations.
Q9: How do I merge duplicate profiles?
Submit a support request through WoS Author Feedback.
Q10: Can I showcase peer-review activity?
Yes — via Publons integration.
Q11: Does WoS track conference papers?
Only selected indexed proceedings.
Q12: Is H-index different in WoS vs Google Scholar?
Yes — WoS uses curated sources; often lower but more accurate.
Certificate Note (Europub)
For journals using Europub certificate & verification system:
Track editorial board activity, reviewer recognition, and journal indexing status.
Pro Tip for Academics
Maintain ORCID + WoS + Google Scholar + Scopus + Publons profiles
This gives the strongest research visibility globally.
