Yes. If a source does not have a DOI, you can generate a citation using a URL or manual entry instead.
Whether to use a DOI depends on whether the publication was actually assigned a resolvable DOI.
DOI Citation Generator
Generate APA, MLA, and Chicago citations from a DOI instantly.
Journal article
Example result
How YesCite Generates Citations from a DOI
A DOI is a unique identifier used to reference scholarly publications. YesCite uses a DOI to retrieve the corresponding official publication record and generates citations that follow established citation standards.
DOI Resolution
When a DOI is provided, YesCite resolves it to its associated publication record using authoritative data from publishers or registration agencies.
YesCite does not add to or alter the original source metadata.
If required fields are missing in the official record, these omissions are explicitly reflected in the result to maintain consistency with the source data.
Metadata Normalization
After retrieving the publication record, YesCite standardizes key metadata fields such as author names, titles, and publication details.
This step reduces differences in naming conventions, capitalization, and field structure across data sources, ensuring a consistent metadata foundation across citation styles.
Citation Formatting
Once metadata processing is complete, YesCite applies the selected citation style to generate the final reference text.
This process affects only formatting, punctuation, and layout.
The underlying publication information remains unchanged, ensuring that citations are both style compliant and faithful to the original record.
When DOI Is the Right Choice
When the source you want to cite has a resolvable DOI, using the DOI is often the more reliable option. In these cases, YesCite can generate citations based on authoritative publication records, reducing the need for manual corrections later.
Journal articles
If your source is a formally published journal article and a DOI has been assigned by the publisher, using the DOI is usually the preferred approach.
DOIs for journal articles often link to complete metadata, including author information, publication date, journal title, and volume and issue details. This helps produce citations that are structurally complete and consistent across styles.
Situations requiring strict citation formatting
When you are preparing academic writing, submitting to journals, or working in contexts that require close adherence to citation guidelines, using a DOI is generally more dependable.
Metadata retrieved through a DOI helps ensure accurate author order, punctuation, italics, and identifier placement in APA, MLA, and Chicago citation styles.
When DOI Is Not the Right Choice
Incomplete publication records
Some DOIs are associated with official records that lack key citation details, such as author names, publication dates, or volume and issue information.
YesCite strictly follows the metadata provided by the DOI registration record and does not infer or supplement missing fields.
If you already have more complete or updated publication information, using manual entry may be more appropriate than relying on the DOI-based result.
Sources primarily published as web content
Certain reports or institutional publications may include a DOI, but their primary form of publication is a web page rather than a journal article.
In these cases, citing the source via its URL often better reflects common citation practice and guideline expectations.
DOI cannot be resolved
In rare cases, a DOI may fail to resolve due to registration issues, legacy records, or changes on the publisher side.
The retrieved data may also be inconsistent with the actual publication.
When this happens, using a URL-based citation or manual entry is recommended to maintain accuracy and control.
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