With thousands of academic conferences scheduled for 2026, distinguishing between legitimate "EI Conferences" and predatory scams is getting harder. A flashy website does not guarantee quality.
The good news? You don't have to guess. There is a scientific way to verify a conference's claims. This guide will walk you through how to check if a conference is EI indexed and how to spot the red flags before you submit.
The Golden Rule: You Can Only Check the Past
Before we start the tutorial, you must understand one critical concept: You cannot "check" if a future conference (e.g., in 2026) is already indexed.
Why? Because the conference hasn't happened yet! Indexing happens after the event, once the papers are published. Therefore, when we say "Check a Conference," we actually mean checking its track record (History). If a conference has been indexed for the past 3 years consecutively, it is highly likely (99%) to be indexed again.
Method 1: The "Engineering Village" Check
If you have university access to the Engineering Village database (the platform that hosts Ei Compendex), follow these steps. This is the only official way to verify data.
Step 1: Log in to Engineering Village
Go to www.engineeringvillage.com using your institution's network.
Step 2: Select "Ei Compendex"
Ensure only the "Ei Compendex" box is checked in the database selection area.
Step 3: Search for the Previous Year
Do not search for the current 2026 conference (it won't be there). Search for the previous edition.
- Search Box: Enter the conference name (e.g., "International Conference on Civil Engineering 2024").
- Search Field: Select "Conference information" or "Source title" from the dropdown menu.
Step 4: Analyze the Results
- Found results? Great! Look at the "Publisher" field. If you see papers from the 2023 or 2024 edition, the conference has a solid track record.
- No results? Be careful. It might be a new conference (risky) or a predatory one lying about its history.
Method 2: The "Publisher Verification" (No Database Access Needed)
Don't have access to Engineering Village? No problem. You can verify the conference through its Publisher.
Legitimate EI conferences always publish their proceedings through reputable publishers like IEEE, Springer, ACM, IOP, or Elsevier.
- Find the Publisher: Look at the conference website. Does it say "Proceedings will be submitted to IEEE Xplore" or "Published by Springer LNCS"?
- Go to the Publisher's Website: Search for the conference name on the Publisher's official portal (e.g., search on IEEE Xplore).
- Check Upcoming Lists: Many publishers list "Upcoming Conference Proceedings" on their sites. If the conference is listed there, it is legitimate.
Pro Tip: If a conference website says "Indexed by EI" but does not mention a publisher (or says "Published by [Conference Name] Press"), stay away. Self-published proceedings are rarely indexed.
3 Red Flags: How to Spot a "Fake" EI Conference
Predatory conferences use psychological tricks to get your money. Watch out for these warning signs in 2026:
- "100% Indexing Guarantee": No conference organizer can guarantee this. Indexing is decided by Elsevier, not the organizer. Legitimate events say "Submitted for indexing," not "Guaranteed."
- Suspiciously Broad Topics: A conference covering "Robotics, Agriculture, Literature, and Sports" is likely predatory. Real EI conferences are focused on specific engineering fields.
- The "Ghost" Committee: Copy the names of the "Keynote Speakers" and paste them into Google. Are they real professors? Do they know they are speaking there? (Sometimes scammers steal photos of famous scholars).
Summary
Your research is valuable. Don't let it vanish into a black hole.
- Check the History: Did the previous year's papers get indexed?
- Check the Publisher: Is a top-tier publisher involved?
- Check the Timeline: Does the peer review time look realistic (usually 1-3 months)?
Looking for a conference with a reliable track record? Check out our Upcoming EI Conferences list to find reputable venues for your research.
