Wikipedia:ISSN
 | This help page is a how-to guide. It details processes or procedures of some aspect(s) of Wikipedia's norms and practices. It is not one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, and may reflect varying levels of consensus and vetting. |
The DOIs identify particular articles (but are mostly only available for academic journal articles). On Wikipedia, an ISSN is an optional part of a citation to a particular article (adding it never hurts, but it is not strictly necessary when a direct URL or DOI is provided to the full text of the article).
An ISSN is particularly helpful in the following circumstances (especially when the ISSN is linked, using template or parameter detailed below):
- In a citation to a periodical that is relatively unknown, as the ISSN can help in reliabilityof the journal and procuring a copy of one of its issues to verify the content.
- In relevant non-citation contexts on Wikipedia, such as in the lead section or infobox of an article about a publication itself.
Automatic linking of ISSNs
The {{citation template is being used, the database, which provides publication details and aids in locating physical copies of publications.
|issn= parameter serves the same function, linking the ISSN to the WorldCat