Archival Resource Key (ARK) Alliance

The ARK Alliance maintains a decentralized system of persistent identifiers called Archival Resource Keys that have been created by over 1,700 organizations since 2001, with 15.3 billion ARKs now in use to provide stable, long-term access to digital, physical, and abstract information objects. ARKs function similarly to DOIs and other persistent identifiers but offer advantages including lower costs, greater flexibility, decentralization, and the ability to create unlimited identifiers without fees. Organizations can begin creating ARKs within 48 hours by submitting a request form to the ARK Alliance.