Altmetric MCP

🚀 Altmetric MCP Server

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) server enables AI agents to access Altmetric APIs, which can track the attention and reach of research outputs across news outlets, policy documents, social media, and other online platforms.

Altmetric monitors where research is being discussed beyond traditional academic citations, including mainstream media coverage, policy citations, patent references, and social media engagement. It provides a comprehensive view of real - world research impact.

🚀 Quick Start

The Altmetric MCP Server is a powerful tool that allows AI agents to access Altmetric APIs for in - depth research output tracking. Below is a step - by - step guide to get you started.

✨ Features

This MCP server provides nine tools for accessing Altmetric data across two APIs:

Details Page API Tools

• get_citation_counts (Free Tier): Retrieve attention metrics and mention counts across various platforms for research outputs using DOI, PubMed ID, arXiv ID, or other identifiers.
• get_citation_details (Commercial Tier): Retrieve detailed mention information including full text of posts, author details, and complete metadata for how research is being discussed online.
• search_citations (Free Tier): Search aggregated attention data across all tracked research outputs for a specific timeframe.

Explorer API Tools (Institutional)

• explore_research_outputs: Search and filter research outputs within your institutional Altmetric Explorer instance. Supports filtering by author, department, journal, publication date, research type, and more.
• explore_attention_summary: Get aggregated attention metrics for research outputs matching your query, broken down by source (news, Twitter, policy documents, etc.) and date.
• explore_mentions: Retrieve individual mentions of research outputs with detailed information about each mention including author, URL, timestamp, and platform.
• explore_demographics: Get demographic information about the audiences engaging with research outputs. Analyze geographic distribution, demographic patterns, and audience characteristics.
• explore_mention_sources: Get information about the sources of mentions for research outputs. Analyze which platforms, channels, and outlets are mentioning research with source credibility and reach data.
• explore_journals: Get journal - related data and metrics. Search and filter by publication venue, analyze journal impact, and retrieve journal rankings.

📦 Installation

Prerequisites

• Node.js >= 18.0.0
• Altmetric API credentials:
  • Details Page API: Free tier or commercial access - Request API access
  • Explorer API: Institutional access - Request API access

Note: At least one API configuration (Details Page or Explorer) is required.

Getting Started

Configure your MCP client (check its own docs) to run the Altmetric MCP server using npx:

{
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "altmetric-mcp"],
  "env": {
    "ALTMETRIC_DETAILS_API_KEY": "your_details_api_key_here",
    "ALTMETRIC_EXPLORER_API_KEY": "your_explorer_api_key_here",
    "ALTMETRIC_EXPLORER_API_SECRET": "your_explorer_api_secret_here"
  }
}

Tips:

• Include only the API credentials you have access to

Below are specific instructions for popular AI tools and editors.

{
  "servers": {
    "altmetric-mcp": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "altmetric-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "ALTMETRIC_DETAILS_API_KEY": "your_details_api_key_here",
        "ALTMETRIC_EXPLORER_API_KEY": "your_explorer_api_key_here",
        "ALTMETRIC_EXPLORER_API_SECRET": "your_explorer_api_secret_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

{
  "ALTMETRIC_DETAILS_API_KEY": "your_details_api_key_here",
  "ALTMETRIC_EXPLORER_API_KEY": "your_explorer_api_key_here",
  "ALTMETRIC_EXPLORER_API_SECRET": "your_explorer_api_secret_here"
}

claude mcp add --transport stdio altmetric-mcp --env ALTMETRIC_DETAILS_API_KEY=your_details_api_key_here --env ALTMETRIC_EXPLORER_API_KEY=your_explorer_api_key_here --env ALTMETRIC_EXPLORER_API_SECRET=your_explorer_api_secret_here -- npx -y altmetric-mcp

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "altmetric-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "altmetric-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "ALTMETRIC_DETAILS_API_KEY": "your_details_api_key_here",
        "ALTMETRIC_EXPLORER_API_KEY": "your_explorer_api_key_here",
        "ALTMETRIC_EXPLORER_API_SECRET": "your_explorer_api_secret_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "altmetric": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "altmetric-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "ALTMETRIC_DETAILS_API_KEY": "your_details_api_key_here",
        "ALTMETRIC_EXPLORER_API_KEY": "your_explorer_api_key_here",
        "ALTMETRIC_EXPLORER_API_SECRET": "your_explorer_api_secret_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

API Tiers

Details Page API

• Free Tier: Access to get_citation_counts and search_citations
• Commercial Tier: Access to all Details Page tools including get_citation_details

If you attempt to use get_citation_details with a free API key, you'll receive a 403 error.

Explorer API

• Institutional Access Only: All Explorer API tools require institutional credentials
• Provides access to research outputs and attention data across the entire Altmetric database
• Organizations with data integrations can also access their own institutional research outputs in isolation
• Includes advanced filtering by author, department, journal, and custom organizational metadata

💻 Usage Examples

Basic Usage

get_citation_counts Example

{
  "identifier": "10.1038/nature12373",
  "identifier_type": "doi"
}

get_citation_details Example

{
  "identifier": "10.1038/nature12373",
  "identifier_type": "doi",
  "citation_type": "news"
}

search_citations Example

{
  "timeframe": "1w",
  "citation_type": "news",
  "num_results": 50
}

Advanced Usage

explore_research_outputs Example

{
  "q": "example query",
  "scope": "institution",
  "type": ["article"],
  "timeframe": "1y",
  "page_number": 1,
  "page_size": 20
}

📚 Documentation

API Documentation

• Details Page API: https://details-page-api-docs.altmetric.com/
• Explorer API: https://explorer-api-docs.altmetric.com/

📄 License

MIT