Answer
When trying to access Google Scholar, you may sometimes run into the following error: "ERROR for site owner: Invalid domain for site key." This can happen when too many people are accessing Google Scholar through our proxy server.
Option 1: Use this search box
Try using this search box without the proxy server (choose a new browser or disconnect/reconnect your internet):
Look for and click the “Get It! @ WU” link next to each result, not the article title. Use the "Get It! @ WU" link to get the full text via the Libraries’ subscriptions.
Bookmark this research guide and always start your off-campus Google Scholar searches from there.
Option 2: Configure your settings
Link your Google account to Washington University Libraries, so the “Get It! @ WU” links will always appear – even if you don’t start your search from this page. Go to our customized settings screen and click Save. If you’re logged into a Google account, it will remember that setting from now on.
To configure your settings manually, try the following steps:
1. Go to Google Scholar
2. Click the three lines in the top left corner.
3. Click Settings.
4. Click Library Links.
5. Search for Washington University in St. Louis, check the box next to the result, and save your settings (you can also add other libraries or even Worldcat).
6. You can now continue to search and should see the Get it @ WU links next to articles and books we have access to.
Unfortunately, this does not always solve the issue. The error issue should resolve itself in a day or two.
Option 3: Try Different Browsers
Problems have been noted with Chrome and sometimes Safari. If neither of these browsers work try Firefox.
Option 4: Incognito Window
If you have problems using Google Scholar in Chrome, open up an Incognito Window and do your Google Scholar search there.
- To do this, open the Chrome menu in the upper-right-hand corner of the browser window and select New Incognito Window.
- You can also use the shortcut Shift + ⌘ + N (macOS), or Shift + CTRL + N (Windows/Linux).
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