Language models invent author names, journal titles, and DOIs that sound perfectly credible. They don't exist. Paste any AI-generated reference below and Sourcely tells you what's real, what's fabricated, and what you should never submit.
Why AI models hallucinate references and how to protect your work.
An AI hallucinated citation is a reference invented by a language model. It includes plausible author names, journal titles, volume numbers, and DOIs — but the paper was never published. The model generates text that looks correct because it's trained to produce fluent academic language, not to verify facts.
Verify AI-generated references, check DOIs, and find real academic sources — everything you need to cite with confidence.
Verify citations and catch fake AI references
Citation & Reference FinderFind real peer-reviewed sources with citations
ChatGPT Fake CitationsWhy AI makes up references and how to fix it
Fake DOI CheckerValidate DOIs against CrossRef instantly
Check If a Citation Is RealStep-by-step citation verification guide
AI Citation CheckerCheck citations from ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini
Source Credibility CheckerScore any URL for research credibility
APA Citation FinderGenerate APA 7 citations from URLs, DOIs, and titles
MLA Citation FinderGenerate MLA 9 Works Cited entries instantly
Chicago Citation FinderChicago 17 citations in Notes-Bib or Author-Date
DOI CheckerValidate DOIs against CrossRef instantly
Research Paper SummarizerSummarize papers from URL, DOI, or abstract
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Welcome to Sourcely! Our AI-powered source finding tool is built by students for students, allowing us to truly understand the needs of the academic community. This student perspective keeps us up-to-date with the latest research and trends, while our collaborative approach ensures that Sourcely is continually improving and evolving.