04 / Publishing
How to spot predatory journals
How to spot predatory journals and conferences: the typical warning signs, a checklist using DOAJ, COPE and ISSN, and what to do if you have already submitted.
PublishingPublished
Predatory journals are publications that charge authors a fee but do not provide the peer review, editorial work and reliable archiving that a legitimate journal offers. They often copy the design and names of reputable titles, send flattering invitations and promise publication within days. Publishing there can damage your reputation, waste money and bury good work in a venue that colleagues do not read or trust.
The good news: a short, systematic check catches most of them.
Typical warning signs
No single signal proves that a journal is predatory, but several together should make you stop.
- Unsolicited emails praising your “excellent work” and inviting you to submit or join the editorial board, often for a field you do not work in.
- Promises of very fast publication or of acceptance within a few days.
- Broad or incoherent scope, for example a single journal covering medicine, engineering and literature.
- Unclear fees, mentioned only after acceptance or hidden in small print.
- Questionable editorial board: names without affiliations, people who do not confirm their role, or well-known researchers listed without their knowledge.
- Misleading metrics: invented “impact factors” or indexing claims that cannot be verified.
- A name that closely mimics a well-known journal, or a website that copies another journal’s design (sometimes called journal hijacking).
- Poor language and errors on the website and in published articles.
- No clear policies on peer review, retractions, licences or archiving.
Check a journal in six steps
- Read recent articles. Would you be happy to see your work next to them? Do colleagues in your field cite this journal?
- Verify indexing claims. If the journal claims to be indexed in a database, search for it in that database directly instead of trusting a logo on the website.
- Check the DOAJ. For fully open-access journals, look for a listing in the Directory of Open Access Journals, which applies inclusion criteria.
- Check COPE membership. Members of the Committee on Publication Ethics commit to its guidelines; search the member list rather than relying on a badge.
- Verify the ISSN and publisher. An ISSN can be looked up in the ISSN portal; check the publisher’s address and contact details.
- Ask. Your supervisor, co-authors and library often know the reputable venues in your field at a glance.
The initiative Think. Check. Submit. offers a free checklist that follows the same logic.
Legitimate journal or predatory? A comparison
| Criterion | Legitimate journal | Predatory journal |
|---|---|---|
| Contact | You find it through reading and recommendations | It finds you through mass emails |
| Peer review | Documented process, takes weeks or months | Absent, superficial or extremely fast |
| Fees | Clearly stated before submission | Vague, revealed late, sometimes withdrawal fees |
| Editorial board | Verifiable experts with affiliations | Unverifiable or misused names |
| Indexing | Verifiable in the databases named | Claims that cannot be confirmed |
| Policies | Licence, archiving, corrections and retractions explained | Missing or copied text |
Open access is not the problem
Predatory publishing exploits the author-pays model of some open-access journals, but open access itself is not suspicious. Many excellent journals are fully open, some charge fees and others are free for authors. Judge each journal on its practices, not its business model.
Predatory conferences
The same pattern exists for conferences: generic names, very broad topics, high registration fees and acceptance of almost anything. Before you submit an abstract, check who organises the event, who sits on the programme committee and whether earlier proceedings are of good quality. Our guide to submitting to a conference and giving the talk explains how to choose a meeting.
If you have already submitted
- Do not pay any further invoices until you have checked the journal
- Ask in writing to withdraw the manuscript if it has not been published
- Keep copies of all correspondence
- Inform your supervisor or co-authors and, if needed, your library
- Choose a reputable journal for the next submission and follow the steps in how to publish a research paper
Withdrawal requests are not always accepted, so prevention is far easier than cure.
Why it matters
Articles in predatory journals may not be found by colleagues, may disappear when a website goes offline and can cast doubt on your other work. Real peer review can be slow and demanding, but it is what gives a publication its value.
Frequently asked questions
Are all open-access journals with fees predatory?
No. Many reputable open-access journals charge article processing charges to cover their costs. What distinguishes predatory journals is that they take the fee without providing real peer review, editing or reliable long-term publication.
Is there a list of predatory journals?
Various lists have existed, but none is complete, and lists can be outdated or disputed. It is more reliable to check positive signals, such as a DOAJ listing, COPE membership and indexing in the databases of your field, together with your own assessment.
What if I have already published in a predatory journal?
Talk to your supervisor or your library first. You can ask the journal to withdraw the article, although such requests are not always honoured. In future applications, be transparent and focus on your publications in recognised venues.
Do predatory conferences exist too?
Yes. Some events invite researchers to present on almost any topic for a high fee, with little or no review of submissions. Check the organiser, the programme committee and past proceedings before you register.