A preprint is a version of your paper that you make public before peer review is complete. Researchers use preprints to share results quickly, get early feedback and establish when the work was done. But many scholars worry that posting one will block publication in a good journal. The answer depends on the journal and the field, so this guide explains how preprints work, which servers to use and how to post one without risking your submission.
Why researchers post preprints
- Speed: your work is visible in days, while journal review can take months.
- Priority: a dated public record shows when you reported the result.
- Feedback: colleagues can comment before the journal version is final.
- Open access: anyone can read it without a subscription.
- Citations: early readers can cite and build on your work sooner.
Popular preprint servers
- arXiv: physics, mathematics, computer science and related fields.
- SSRN: social sciences, law, economics and management.
- bioRxiv and medRxiv: biology and health sciences.
- TechRxiv: engineering and technology, run with IEEE.
- Research Square and Preprints.org: multidisciplinary servers.
Choose the server that your own field uses, since that is where your readers will look. Check each server’s screening rules and subject scope before you upload.
What journals say about preprints
Many journals accept submissions that already exist as preprints, but policies differ, and some fields are stricter. Check three things before you post:
- The journal’s preprint policy. Look in the author guidelines or the Sherpa Romeo database. Some journals welcome preprints, some allow them only in certain forms and a few discourage them.
- Double-blind review. A public preprint with your name may reveal your identity to reviewers.
- Medical and clinical work. Some journals are cautious about unreviewed clinical findings.
If the policy is unclear, email the editor and ask before you upload. A short written reply protects you later. If you are still choosing a target, our comparison of Web of Science vs Scopus helps you decide which index to aim for, and you can then read that journal’s policy.
Preprints and indexing
Preprint servers are not the same as indexed journals. A paper on arXiv or SSRN does not become a Scopus or Web of Science publication by being there. Those databases index journals and selected conference proceedings, not most preprints. Treat a preprint as an early public copy that supports your work, and plan your indexed publication separately.
How a preprint affects your similarity score
If a journal runs a plagiarism check, your own preprint may appear as a match. Most editors understand this when the preprint is declared, so mention it in your cover letter and include the link.
What to say in your cover letter
When you submit to the journal, add one or two sentences that name the preprint server and give the link. For example: “A preprint of this manuscript is available at [link]. It has not been peer reviewed.” This tells the editor that any similarity match is your own work and shows that you have followed the journal’s policy. If the journal asks you to update the preprint after acceptance, do so promptly.
Step-by-step process
- Confirm the target journal’s preprint policy.
- Get agreement from all co-authors, since posting makes the work public under every name.
- Finish the manuscript and check the references and figures.
- Choose the right server and upload the manuscript.
- Pick a license, ideally one that matches the journal’s requirements.
- Declare the preprint in your submission cover letter.
- After acceptance, add the published article’s DOI to the preprint record.
- Do not upload the publisher’s final PDF unless the agreement allows it.
Common mistakes
- Posting a rough draft with errors that you correct only in the journal version.
- Using a license that conflicts with the journal’s agreement.
- Forgetting to tell the journal about the preprint.
- Posting without co-author approval.
- Leaving the preprint outdated after major revisions.
- Posting work that must stay confidential, for example because of a patent filing.
A preprint is not a peer reviewed publication
A preprint has not been through formal review, so it does not replace a journal article. Universities in India often count only peer reviewed, approved-list publications for PhD requirements, so confirm your own rules. Our guide to PhD thesis rules by university in India is a good starting point.
Citing and updating preprints
When you cite a preprint, label it clearly as a preprint and give the server and DOI. If the journal version appears later, cite that version instead. When you update your own preprint, use the server’s version feature so earlier versions stay available and readers can see what changed.
Choosing the journal after posting
Your preprint does not choose the journal for you. Compare the indexes, fees and review speed first, and our guide on how to choose between an SCI and a Scopus journal walks through the decision. If you are targeting an approved Indian list, read the UGC CARE journal submission guide for Indian researchers before you submit.
Plan the timeline
A preprint can fill the waiting period while the journal reviews your paper, but it does not shorten the review. To set realistic expectations, read how long it takes to publish a paper in Scopus.
Who should be careful with preprints
- Authors who plan to file a patent, because public disclosure can affect novelty.
- Researchers working on clinical or public health findings that could affect decisions before review.
- Authors submitting to a journal with strict double-blind review.
- Teams where one co-author has not agreed to public posting.
In these cases, wait for the journal’s decision or ask the editor and your institution before you upload.
Should you post one?
Post a preprint when the journal allows it, your co-authors agree and the results are ready to be public. Avoid it when the journal forbids it, when double-blind review would be compromised or when the work must stay confidential.
Quick checklist
- The journal’s policy allows preprints.
- All co-authors agree.
- The server fits your field.
- The license matches the journal’s rules.
- The preprint is declared in the cover letter.
- The DOI of the published article is added after acceptance.
Frequently asked questions
Is a preprint the same as a published paper?
No. A preprint has not completed peer review, so it does not replace a journal article.
Will posting a preprint cause rejection?
Not usually, but policies differ. Check the journal’s rules or ask the editor before posting.
Can I cite a preprint?
Yes, but label it as a preprint and cite the journal version if it later appears.
Do I need co-author permission?
Yes. Posting makes the work public under every author’s name.
Which license should I choose?
Pick one that matches the journal’s requirements. Many authors choose CC BY, but check the journal’s rules first.
Can I post a preprint after submitting to the journal?
Often yes, but check the journal’s policy first. Some journals ask authors to post only before or at submission.