Do you ever wish you could save a PubMed search strategy?
Would you like to re-run the same search again and again?
How about automatically receive new citations via email based on your saved search?

PubMed allows you to do all of the above when you create a personal NCBI account. The account is free and easy to set-up.  Here’s how to do it!

Check out our instructional video or follow the steps below.

Create your NCBI account:

• Visit Pubmed Plus at: http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017/8162
• In the upper right-hand corner of the screen select “Sign in to NCBI”.
• If you are new to the NCBI system, you will need to create an account.
  • Select the “Register for an NCBI account” link and fill out the form that appears
    OR
  • Select the “see more 3rd party sign in options” and select “University of Pennsylvania” from the list. You will then be prompted to login using your PennKey.
• If you are using your personal computer, consider leaving the “Keep me signed in” option checked. The next time you access PubMed using the same computer/browser, you should automatically be logged in.
• Once you have created an account you should see your ‘username’ in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

Search and save your Alert

Now that you have an account, execute your search. Then click the “Create alert” link directly below the search box.  You will be taken to a screen where you can review/change the “Saved Search” settings.

• Name of saved search – enter the name of you search
• Search terms – your search strategy will appear here
• Email search results? – Selecting “yes” will automatically rerun and send you search results using your specified frequency. Selecting “no” will save the search but will not send you email updates.
• Schedule – when and how often you will receive new citations matching your search.
• Formats – select how the citations will appear in the email message.
• Number of items – select the maximum number of references you are willing to receive in an email. We suggest checking the box next to “Send even when there aren’t any new results” so you know the NCBI system is indeed working.
• Additional text – add any text you would like to appear in the email that NCBI will send to you.
• Finally, click “Save”.

You can update/edit/delete your alert by accessing your NCBI account, selecting “MyNCBI” in the upper right-hand corner of your screen, and then clicking the cog icon next to your Saved Search name.

The Biomedical Library has developed a brief instructional video: – https://youtu.be/byZpNY9BG2g

If you have any questions, please email us at: libref@upenn.libanswers.com