Documentation

Reference linking enables researchers to follow a link from the reference list to other full-text documents, helping them to make connections and discover new things.

Reference Linking means including Crossref DOIs (displayed as URLs) in the reference lists that you provide in your own published work. This enables researchers to follow a link from a reference list to the current landing page for that referenced work. And because it’s a DOI rather than just a link, it will remain persistent.

So, instead of just including the reference in your reference list…

Soleimani N, Mohabati Mobarez A, Farhangi B. Cloning, expression and purification flagellar sheath adhesion of Helicobacter pylori in Escherichia coli host as a vaccination target. Clin Exp Vaccine Res. 2016 Jan;5(1):19-25.

…you should also display the DOI link:

Soleimani N, Mohabati Mobarez A, Farhangi B. Cloning, expression and purification flagellar sheath adhesion of Helicobacter pylori in Escherichia coli host as a vaccination target. Clin Exp Vaccine Res. 2016 Jan;5(1):19-25. https://doi-org.turing.library.northwestern.edu/10.7774/cevr.2016.5.1.19

Because Crossref is all about rallying the scholarly community to work together, reference linking is an obligation for all Crossref members. But you don’t have to be a Crossref member to link your references - we provide free tools that anyone can use to match their reference lists to existing DOIs so they can link their references.

Watch the introductory reference linking animation in your language:

How Reference Linking works

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Download the reference linking factsheet, and explore factsheets for other Crossref services and in different languages.

Benefits of reference linking

Persistent links enhance scholarly communications. Reference linking offers important benefits:

• Reciprocity: members’ records are linked together and more discoverable because all members link their references. As a member organisation, we can obligate all our members to link their references, so that individual members can avoid the inconvenience of signing bilateral agreements to link to persistent resources on other platforms. The result is a scholarly communications infrastructure that enables the exchange of ideas and knowledge.
• Discoverability: research travels further when everyone links their references. Because DOIs don’t break if implemented correctly, they will always lead readers to the resource they’re looking for, including yours. When the DOIs are displayed, anyone can copy and share them. This will also enable better tracking of where and when people are talking about and sharing scholarly objects, including in social media.

Obligations and fees for reference linking

Reference Linking is an obligation of membership for all Crossref members. But anyone can use our support tools for Reference Linking - you don’t have to be a member. And there’s no charge to use our support tools for Reference Linking.

Getting started with reference linking

There are various different ways to look up other member’s DOIs to add to your reference lists. Read more here.

Important note: Reference Linking is not the same as including your reference lists in your metadata record. Here’s more information about how to add your reference lists to your metadata records.

Best practice for reference linking

• Start reference linking within 18 months of joining Crossref
• Link references for back-year as well as current resources
• Link references in all relevant resource types such as preprints, books, data, conference proceedings, etc.
• Make sure the links in your references and other platforms conform to our DOI display guidelines