For researchers—especially graduate students—choosing the wrong conference can mean wasted time, lost money, and papers that never get indexed.

This article explains what an EI conference really is, how EI indexing actually works, and—most importantly—how to verify conferences and avoid predatory traps.

What Exactly Is an "EI Conference"?

When researchers use the term "EI Conference," they are using a shorthand description. Technically, it refers to an academic conference whose published proceedings are submitted to and indexed by the Ei Compendex database.

For a conference to hold this title, it must have a contract with a reputable Publisher (such as IEEE, Springer, ACM, or IOP). The chain of trust works like this:

You (Author) ➔ Conference (Organizer) ➔ Publisher (Proceedings) ➔ Ei Compendex (Database)

If a conference does not have a clear agreement with a publisher, it cannot guarantee EI indexing.

The Indexing Workflow: From Conference to Database

Understanding the timeline helps reduce anxiety after the conference ends. Here is what happens to your paper after you present it:

• The Event: The conference takes place (Virtual or In-Person).
• Formatting & Proofing: The organizing committee collects final versions of papers and checks them against the publisher's strict formatting rules.
• Submission to Publisher: The committee sends the entire bundle of papers to the publisher.
• Online Publication: The publisher releases the proceedings online (e.g., on IEEE Xplore or SpringerLink). This is when you get your DOI.
• Database Ingestion: The publisher sends the metadata to Elsevier for Ei Compendex indexing.

Timeframe Reality Check:

Many young researchers panic if they don't see their paper in EI a week after the conference. Be patient. The industry standard for this process is 3 to 6 months after the proceedings are published online.

How to Check If an EI Conference Is Real (Avoid Predatory Conferences)

Before you click "Submit," run the conference through this 4-step check:

• Check the History: Does the conference have a track record? Look for "History" or "Previous Editions" on the website. If the 2024 and 2025 proceedings are online and indexed, that is a green light.
• Verify the Committee: Look at the "Keynote Speakers" and "Technical Committee." Are they real professors from reputable universities? (You can Google their names).
• Check the Contact Info: Is there a working email address and a physical address? Legitimate organizers are transparent.
• Look for the Template: A serious conference will provide a strict formatting template (usually from the Publisher) for you to download.

Conclusion

• An EI conference is defined by indexed proceedings, not by claims
• EI indexing involves publishers and post-conference review
• Predatory conferences exploit lack of knowledge and urgency
• Verification saves time, money, and academic credibility

Ready to publish your first EI conference paper? Check out our Call for Papers for the upcoming 2026 International Conference,
Download the official paper template now and take your next step toward an EI-indexed publication.