How do I check if a paper has been retracted?

Paste the citation into CiteProve. It matches the reference to its record and checks the retraction status carried by OpenAlex, Crossref and Retraction Watch data. If the work has been retracted, a prominent flag is shown alongside the match, with a link to the retraction notice where available.

Why does citing a retracted paper matter?

A retraction means the publisher has withdrawn the paper, usually for serious errors, misconduct or unreliable results. Citing it as sound evidence undermines your argument and can mislead readers — yet retracted papers continue to be cited for years, because the retraction isn't visible in the citation itself.

Does a retraction flag mean the authors did something wrong?

Not necessarily. Papers are retracted for many reasons, including honest error. CiteProve reports the retraction status factually and links the notice so you can read why — it flags, it never accuses.

Retraction checker

Before you cite a study, check whether it has been retracted. Paste a citation and CiteProve surfaces the retraction status from Retraction Watch, OpenAlex and Crossref alongside the matched record.

In short

To check whether a paper has been retracted, match it to its record and read the retraction status maintained by sources like Retraction Watch, OpenAlex and Crossref. A retracted paper has been formally withdrawn by its publisher, but the retraction is not visible in the citation itself — so it keeps being cited. CiteProve resolves the reference and shows a prominent retraction flag when one applies, with a link to the notice. Free, no account.

Paste a citation to check

What the retraction check surfaces

Retractions recorded on the work's OpenAlex and Crossref records
Retraction notices detected as separate “Retraction of…” documents
The “RETRACTED:” title prefix some publishers add
A link to the retraction notice where one is available

Catch retractions across a whole bibliography

You don't have to check papers one at a time. Paste your entire reference list and CiteProve verifies every entry and flags any that have been retracted in the same pass — so a retracted study can never slip through a long bibliography unnoticed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a paper has been retracted?: Paste the citation into CiteProve. It matches the reference to its record and checks the retraction status carried by OpenAlex, Crossref and Retraction Watch data. If the work has been retracted, a prominent flag is shown alongside the match, with a link to the retraction notice where available.
Why does citing a retracted paper matter?: A retraction means the publisher has withdrawn the paper, usually for serious errors, misconduct or unreliable results. Citing it as sound evidence undermines your argument and can mislead readers — yet retracted papers continue to be cited for years, because the retraction isn't visible in the citation itself.
Does a retraction flag mean the authors did something wrong?: Not necessarily. Papers are retracted for many reasons, including honest error. CiteProve reports the retraction status factually and links the notice so you can read why — it flags, it never accuses.