For researchers in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Electronics, seeing the "IEEE" logo on a conference website feels like a stamp of quality. However, university graduation requirements often explicitly state: "Must be indexed in Scopus."

This leads to a common panic: "If my paper is in IEEE Xplore, is it automatically in Scopus? Are they the same thing? Which one matters more?"

The short answer is: They are not the same, and one does not always guarantee the other.

The Core Distinction: Publisher vs. Indexer

To understand the difference, we must define their roles.

What is IEEE Xplore? 

• Role: It is a specific digital library and repository.
• Owner: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
• Content: It hosts full-text documents (pdfs) published only by IEEE and its partners (like IET).
• Analogy: Think of IEEE Xplore as a Bookstore that sells books from one specific, very famous publisher.

What is Scopus?

• Role: It is an abstract and citation database.
• Owner: Elsevier.
• Content: It lists and indexes records from thousands of different publishers (including IEEE, Springer, ACM, Taylor & Francis, etc.).
• Analogy: Think of Scopus as a massive Library Catalogue that lists valid books from every bookstore in town.

The Venn Diagram: Is All IEEE Content in Scopus?

This is the most critical question for authors.

• The Relationship: Generally, IEEE Xplore is a "source" for Scopus. Scopus pulls data from IEEE Xplore.
• The Rule: Most (approx. 90%+) of the content in IEEE Xplore eventually gets indexed in Scopus.
• The Exception (The Danger Zone): Being in IEEE Xplore does NOT guarantee Scopus indexing. Scopus has its own quality selection board (CSAB). If an IEEE conference fails to meet Scopus standards (e.g., poor peer review, irregular publication, or scope issues), Scopus can and will refuse to index it, even if it is available in IEEE Xplore.

Which One Should You Choose?

Actually, you shouldn't choose "one or the other." The ideal scenario for an engineering researcher is "Both."

• IEEE Xplore gives you prestige in the engineering community. It ensures your paper is read by experts in your field.
• Scopus Indexing ensures your paper meets university graduation requirements, university rankings, and global citation metrics.

IEEE Xplore vs. Scopus

Common Issues: The "Indexing Delay"

Another source of anxiety is the time lag.

• Step 1: The Conference ends.
• Step 2: The organizers submit papers to IEEE Xplore (Takes 1-2 months).
• Step 3: IEEE Xplore publishes the papers.
• Step 4: Scopus "crawls" IEEE Xplore and indexes the metadata (Takes another 4-10 weeks).

If you see your paper in IEEE Xplore but not in Scopus yet, don't panic. There is usually a 1–3 month gap between the two.

How to Ensure Your Conference is Safe

To ensure you get the "Double Win" (IEEE + Scopus), follow these steps before submitting:

• Check Previous Years: Did the last edition of this conference get indexed in Scopus? (Consistency is key).
• Check the Conference ID: Is the conference listed on the official IEEE Conference Search?
• Choose Vetted Platforms: Use platforms that pre-screen conferences for indexing history.

Learn more: Guide to Identify a Good Conference

Ready to secure your publication? Check out our updated list of reputable, Scopus-indexed conferences open for submission now.