How to Get ISSN and Crossref DOI for a New Artificial Intelligence Journal
The growth of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data research has led to the emergence of numerous new scholarly journals worldwide. Universities, research societies, academic institutions, and independent publishers are increasingly launching journals dedicated to machine learning, data science, intelligent systems, and interdisciplinary AI applications.
However, one of the first questions asked by new journal founders is:
How do we get an ISSN and Crossref DOI for our new journal?
This question is important because a journal's credibility, discoverability, and long-term publishing success depend heavily on having proper publication identifiers and metadata infrastructure.
In modern scholarly publishing, two elements are particularly important:
- ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) for journal identification.
- Crossref DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for article identification and persistent linking.
Although these terms are frequently mentioned together, they serve entirely different purposes and require different preparation processes. Understanding how they work and when to arrange them can significantly improve the launch and growth of a new Artificial Intelligence journal.
The Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Disciplines (JAIBDD) recognizes the importance of strong publishing infrastructure and encourages emerging journals to establish professional workflows from the very beginning.
What Is an ISSN?
ISSN stands for International Standard Serial Number.
It is an eight-digit unique identifier assigned to serial publications such as:
- Academic journals
- Magazines
- Conference proceedings
- Continuing publications
- Online serial publications
The ISSN serves as the official identity of a journal and helps distinguish it from other publications worldwide.
An online journal generally receives an:
- Electronic ISSN (e-ISSN)
- Print ISSN (if a printed version exists)
ISSN plays a critical role in journal indexing, cataloging, metadata management, and scholarly discoverability.
Why Does an Artificial Intelligence Journal Need an ISSN?
An ISSN provides several important benefits:
- Establishes journal identity
- Improves publishing credibility
- Supports library cataloging
- Facilitates indexing applications
- Improves metadata consistency
- Assists citation management
- Enhances journal professionalism
Many indexing services and databases expect journals to have an ISSN before considering them for evaluation.
For new AI journals, obtaining an ISSN should be one of the early priorities in the launch process.
What Is a Crossref DOI?
A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is a permanent and unique identifier assigned to scholarly content such as:
- Journal articles
- Review papers
- Editorials
- Conference papers
- Book chapters
- Research datasets
Crossref assigns a DOI prefix to members, and publishers create individual DOI suffixes for their content registrations. Once registered, the DOI permanently points to the article's landing page and metadata.
Why Does an AI Journal Need DOI Registration?
DOIs provide significant benefits:
- Persistent article identification
- Improved citation tracking
- Better discoverability
- Enhanced metadata distribution
- Greater publishing credibility
- Integration with scholarly systems
- Long-term accessibility
Modern researchers increasingly expect published articles to have DOI identifiers.
A journal without DOI planning may struggle to meet international publishing expectations.
ISSN and DOI: What Is the Difference?
| Feature | ISSN | DOI |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Identifies the journal | Identifies individual articles |
| Scope | Journal-level | Article-level |
| Assigned By | National ISSN Centres | Crossref and DOI registration agencies |
| Number Type | Eight-digit serial identifier | Persistent digital identifier |
| Changes Over Time | Usually remains constant | Each article receives a unique DOI |
| Primary Benefit | Journal identity | Article discoverability and citation |
ISSN and DOI complement each other and should be considered together during journal planning.
What Should Be Ready Before Applying for an ISSN?
Many new journal owners attempt to apply for ISSN before their journal is sufficiently prepared.
A professional journal should generally have:
A Journal Website
The website should clearly display:
- Journal title
- Scope
- Editorial information
- Contact information
- Publication policies
Editorial Structure
The journal should have:
- Editor-in-Chief
- Editorial Board
- Peer review policy
- Publication ethics statement
Author Information
Include:
- Author guidelines
- Submission process
- Copyright policies
- Publication frequency
Publishing Plan
The journal should have a defined:
- Aim and scope
- Publication schedule
- Subject focus
- Long-term publishing vision
Preparing these elements beforehand significantly improves journal readiness.
What Should Be Ready Before Planning Crossref DOI?
Before registering DOI identifiers, journals should establish:
- Journal website
- Article landing pages
- Metadata standards
- Publication workflows
- Article archives
- Long-term URL structure
Crossref content registration depends heavily on accurate metadata and stable article pages.
Why Journal Platform Choice Matters
Many new journals focus only on obtaining ISSN and DOI while overlooking their publishing infrastructure.
A journal management platform should support:
- Manuscript submission
- Peer review workflows
- Article publication
- Metadata management
- DOI registration workflows
- Search engine optimization
- Editorial communication
The publishing platform becomes the foundation upon which ISSN and DOI workflows operate.
Building an AI Journal Website Before Applying for ISSN
A professional Artificial Intelligence journal website should include:
- Home page
- About the Journal
- Aims and Scope
- Editorial Board
- Publication Ethics
- Author Guidelines
- Current Issue
- Archives
- Contact Information
- Manuscript Submission System
A professionally designed website demonstrates that the journal is prepared for long-term scholarly publishing.
Common Mistakes New Journal Editors Make
Applying for ISSN Too Early
A partially developed journal website often causes delays and complications.
Ignoring DOI Planning
Some journals publish articles without considering long-term metadata management.
Poor Website Structure
Incomplete websites can negatively affect journal credibility.
Weak Editorial Policies
Publishing ethics and peer review information are essential.
Lack of Metadata Planning
Good metadata management supports discoverability and indexing.
Avoiding these mistakes can significantly improve the success of a new journal.
The Importance of Crossref Metadata
Crossref metadata includes:
- Journal title
- Article title
- Author information
- Publication dates
- DOI identifiers
- Abstracts
- References
- ORCID identifiers
Rich metadata improves discoverability throughout the global research ecosystem.
Need Help Launching Your Artificial Intelligence Journal?
We can help with:
✓ Journal website setup using ScholarJMS
✓ OJS hosting and migration through OJSCloud
✓ ISSN consulting and journal readiness support
✓ Crossref DOI setup and workflow guidance through GetDOI
✓ Editorial workflow implementation
✓ Journal launch consulting and publishing support
WhatsApp: +91 82003 85143
Direct Link: Chat on WhatsApp
Email: inquiry@ojscloud.com
OJSCloud for ISSN Consulting and Journal Launch Support
Many new journals possess strong academic expertise but limited publishing experience.
OJSCloud provides support for:
- Journal launch consulting
- ISSN readiness assessment
- OJS hosting and migration
- Website development
- Publishing workflow planning
- Technical publishing guidance
Professional support can help journals avoid costly mistakes during the launch phase.
GetDOI for Crossref DOI Support
Crossref membership and DOI registration can sometimes appear complicated for new publishers.
GetDOI assists journals with:
- Crossref DOI planning
- DOI workflow guidance
- Metadata registration support
- DOI implementation strategies
- Publishing best practices
DOI planning should be considered an integral part of journal infrastructure rather than an afterthought.
A Practical Step-by-Step Checklist for New AI Journals
Step 1
Define the journal's aims and scope.
Step 2
Develop a professional journal website.
Step 3
Create editorial policies and author guidelines.
Step 4
Establish manuscript submission workflows.
Step 5
Apply for ISSN.
Step 6
Prepare article metadata workflows.
Step 7
Arrange Crossref DOI support.
Step 8
Publish the inaugural issue.
Step 9
Begin indexing preparation.
Step 10
Build long-term publishing strategies.
Why Future-Ready Publishing Infrastructure Matters
Modern journals increasingly require:
- Professional websites
- Automated workflows
- Metadata management
- DOI integration
- Indexing readiness
- Long-term scalability
- Transparent peer review
Platforms such as:
can help journals build sustainable and professional publishing ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is ISSN mandatory for an online AI journal?
While requirements vary by country and use case, obtaining an ISSN significantly improves journal credibility and discoverability.
Can a journal obtain DOI without ISSN?
Crossref documentation indicates that journal-level DOI workflows can exist before ISSN assignment in certain circumstances, although many publishers prefer to secure ISSN first and then proceed with DOI implementation.
Does every article need its own DOI?
Yes. Each published article should receive a unique DOI.
How long does it take to obtain an ISSN?
The timeframe depends on the respective ISSN Centre and the completeness of the journal's documentation.
Why is metadata important for DOI registration?
Metadata improves discoverability, citation tracking, and interoperability across scholarly systems.
Conclusion
Launching a new Artificial Intelligence journal requires much more than publishing articles online. A successful journal needs a strong publishing foundation built on professional infrastructure, proper journal identification, and robust metadata management.
ISSN establishes the identity of the journal, while Crossref DOI ensures that every published article remains permanently identifiable and discoverable.
Editors who plan these elements early are better positioned to build credible, scalable, and internationally recognized scholarly journals.
The Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Disciplines (JAIBDD) encourages emerging publishers and academic institutions to adopt professional publishing practices and establish strong digital infrastructures that support long-term research dissemination and scientific impact.
Ready to Launch Your AI Journal?
Whether you are starting a new journal or upgrading an existing one, we can help with:
✓ Journal website development using ScholarJMS
✓ OJS hosting and migration support
✓ ISSN consulting and journal readiness assessment
✓ Crossref DOI implementation and workflow guidance
✓ Editorial workflow setup
✓ Complete journal launch consulting
WhatsApp: +91 82003 85143
Email: inquiry@ojscloud.com