Updating your account name
Your profile on ResearchGate is your professional identity. To ensure your research and profile are correctly recognized, searchable, and connected, we ask that all members use their real, full name.
Your name is important because it:
Allows others to easily find your profile and publications.
Is used to confirm your authorship for publications.
Appears on the author lists of your research.
Forms part of your profile's URL (web address).
Policy: Please use your real, professional name without academic titles (like Dr. or Prof.) or abbreviations.
How to update your account name
You can change the name associated with your account in a few simple steps:
Go to your profile and click on Edit at the top of your profile, to the right of your name
Click Edit name
Update your name and click Save to confirm your changes.
Please note:
For security reasons, you can only change your name a limited number of times within a 30-day period. You will be able to edit your name again once this period has expired.
Changing your name will also change the URL of your profile.
For more information on our name policy, please read our Terms of Service, specifically the User Obligations section.
How name-matching Works
ResearchGate uses a name-matching algorithm to automatically suggest and attach your publications to your profile. The algorithm works by matching your ResearchGate account name (and any alternative names you've added) with the name on the publication's author list.
Please note:
If the name on your publication is different from your account name, your publication claim may sometimes be put into a queue for manual verification, which can take longer.
We do not allow titles (like "Dr." or "Prof.") in your name because they can interfere with the name-matching algorithm, making it harder for us to accurately identify and suggest your work.
Understanding alternative author names
Your main account name is the one you are professionally known as and is displayed on your profile. However, you may have published work under a different name, such as a maiden name or a variation of your name. This is where your alternative author name comes in.
How alternative names help
Adding an alternative author name simplifies the process of claiming your publications, as the algorithm will match against both names.
Verification queue
If your published name is very different and you have not added an alternative name, your publication claim may be put into a queue for manual verification, which can take longer.
How to add an alternative author name
You can add an alternative name to help ensure you can easily claim all of your publications.
Log in to your account and go to your Profile Settings.
Click the blue Edit name button.
Click Add alternative name if you do not already have one listed.
Fill out the name fields under Alternative name and click Save.
After adding an alternative name, you can more easily claim publications that you published under either name.
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