Articles and digital publications

A digital work can receive an SPSN when it is published as a complete item with its own title and publication details.

In this section

Identify the publication, not the website

An SPSN can identify a report, paper, article, guide, newsletter issue or another work published online. It identifies the work itself, not the website or domain where it appears.

If the work is already online, you can include a link to it. You can also apply before publication when the final details are ready.

Standalone and continuing works

A standalone work can receive its own SPSN. A journal, magazine or other continuing publication may need an ISSN, while a separate issue or work may be able to receive its own SPSN.

Changed digital files

Replacing a file to fix a small technical problem does not create a new publication. A major revision, new edition, translation or separately released format needs a new SPSN.