Scopus discontinued sources can create serious problems for authors who rely on old indexing claims.

A journal or proceedings source may have been covered in the past but no longer be active in Scopus. If authors only check an old website badge, they may submit to a source that does not meet current requirements.

What Are Scopus Discontinued Sources?

A discontinued source is a source that is no longer covered in Scopus from a certain point. This does not always erase older records, but it can affect new submissions and institutional recognition.

For authors, the most important question is not "was this source ever indexed?" It is "is this source currently covered for the publication period that matters?"

Why This Matters Before Submission

Submitting to a discontinued source can cause:

• Publication not counting for graduation
• Confusion during promotion review
• Wasted submission fees
• Delays in resubmission
• Difficulty proving current indexing status

This is why current coverage should be checked before submission, not after acceptance.

What to Check

Before submitting, verify:

• Exact source title
• ISSN or ISBN
• Publisher
• Coverage years
• Current status
• Whether the planned publication date falls within active coverage
• Whether the journal or proceedings title has changed

If anything looks unclear, ask the publisher or organiser for written clarification.

Common Warning Signs

Be careful if:

• The website only says "Scopus indexed" with no date
• The source title is hard to match
• The ISSN differs across pages
• The journal claims fast guaranteed publication
• The conference relies only on old indexed editions
• The publisher avoids direct answers

FAQs

Q: Does discontinued mean old papers disappear from Scopus?
A: Not necessarily. Older records may remain, but new coverage may stop after a certain point.

Q: Can a discontinued source become covered again?
A: Coverage status can change, but authors should rely only on current official information.

Q: Is a discontinued source always predatory?
A: No. Discontinuation and predatory behaviour are different issues, but both require caution.

Q: Should authors submit if a source was indexed last year?
A: Not without checking current status and coverage years.

Check Current Status, Not Old Claims

Old indexing claims can be misleading. Authors should verify current coverage, dates and source details before trusting Scopus discontinued sources.