A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) and a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) are both used to locate and access digital resources online, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. DOIs are primarily used for the unique identification and citation of digital resources, while URLs are used to specify the location of web content on the internet. DOIs are designed for persistence and are widely used in academic and scholarly research, whereas URLs are essential for accessing web content but may not always be persistent or suitable for citation in academic contexts.

Key Differences Between a DOI and a URL

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• DOIs are primarily used to provide a persistent and unique identifier for digital objects. Their main function is to ensure that a specific resource can be easily and reliably located and cited.
• DOIs are unique, meaning that no two DOIs are the same. They are assigned by registration agencies to ensure that each digital resource has a distinct identifier.
• DOIs are designed to be persistent over time. Even if the web address (URL) of a resource changes or the resource is moved, the DOI remains the same.
• DOIs are associated with metadata, which can include information about the resource, such as its title, author, publication date, and other details.
• DOIs are commonly used in academic and scholarly research for proper citation and referencing. They help ensure that the cited resource can be reliably located.

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

• URLs are used to specify the location (address) of a resource on the internet. They serve as a means to access web pages, files, and various online content.
• URLs are unique within the context of a particular website or domain. Multiple websites may have similar URLs for their resources, but they are unique within their respective domains.
• URLs may not be persistent. They can change if the website is modified, or if a resource is moved or deleted. Broken links can result in non-persistent URLs.
• URLs do not inherently contain metadata. The content of a web page can include metadata, but the URL itself does not provide descriptive information about the resource.
• URLs are used in citing web content, especially for non-academic purposes. However, they can be problematic for academic citation due to their lack of persistence.