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Citations

Check your references

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Writing Studio checks every source against academic databases for you, and flags references that are retracted, wrong or can't be found.

Writing Studio checks every source in your library against academic databases in the background. If a reference was retracted, has wrong details or can’t be found, it tells you, and usually fixes it in one click.

These checks are free on every plan and don’t use any AI allowance.

How checking works

Each time you add a source, Writing Studio looks it up in Crossref, OpenAlex, PubMed and other databases, and compares your details with the published record. A source is checked again when you change its details, when its last check is over a month old, and when you open Check my paper or Export and its check is over a day old.

You don’t need to start anything. The results show:

  • On the line above your reference list.
  • On each reference list entry, and on a citation’s hover card.
  • On each source in your library, and under Needs a look there.
  • In Check my paper, under References.

What each label means

  • Verified: matches its published record.
  • Check details: some details, such as the year, title or authors, don’t match the published record.
  • Not found: not found in the academic databases.
  • Retracted: the paper was withdrawn. Don’t cite it as evidence.
  • Couldn’t check: the databases couldn’t be reached just now. Nothing is known to be wrong with it.
  • Checking… or Checking later: the check is still to come.
  • Kept as is: you chose to keep your version.
  • Not checked: not checked yet.

Fix a reference that needs a look

Click the entry in your reference list (or open the source in your library) to see what’s wrong and what you can do.

Details don’t match

Writing Studio shows each detail that differs, your version crossed out with the published one beside it.

  • Fix replaces your details with the published ones. Every citation of the source updates.
  • Keep mine keeps your version and marks it Kept as is.

To fix every mismatch at once, choose Fix it (or Fix and a number) on the line above the reference list. Undo appears for a few seconds afterwards.

Not found

Books, reports and very new or non-English work are sometimes missing from the databases. A source that doesn’t exist never turns up, so check it carefully.

  • Edit source opens its details so you can correct a typo.
  • Check again looks it up again after you edit it.
  • Find a real source opens the Citation finder to search for the real work. The one you choose takes its place in every citation.
  • Keep it keeps it as it is.

Retracted

The paper has been retracted, so it shouldn’t be cited as evidence. If you mention it, say it was retracted.

Choose Find a replacement to search for another paper. The one you choose replaces the retracted paper everywhere your paper cites it.

Preprints

A preprint is a paper that isn’t peer reviewed yet. Writing Studio notes “Not peer reviewed yet. Cite the published version if there is one.” Choose Find the published version to look for it.

See minor notes in Check my paper

Check my paper, under References, also lists Minor notes on sources. These aren’t mistakes, just things worth knowing:

  • Published more than 20 years ago.
  • Cited no more than twice in several years.
  • No DOI.
  • No journal or publisher recorded.

It also sums up your reference list as a whole: the median publication year, how many different journals you draw on, and how many sources are open access. All of this is worked out from the records, without AI. See Check your paper before you submit.

Frequently asked questions

Do reference checks use my AI allowance?

No. Checking your own sources against the databases is free on every plan and uses no AI. Only the separate Citation checker tool counts citation checks.

What does Not found mean?

The source wasn't found in Crossref, OpenAlex, PubMed or the other databases searched. Books, reports and very new or non-English work are sometimes missing, so check its details, or cite a published source instead.

Can I keep my version of a reference if I know it's right?

Yes. Choose Keep mine (or Keep it for a source that wasn't found). The source is marked Kept as is and stops asking for your attention.

What should I do about a retracted paper?

Don't cite it as evidence. Choose Find a replacement to swap in another paper everywhere you cite it, or, if you discuss it, say that it was retracted.