Publisher question
Is Elsevier a predatory publisher?
No, Elsevier as a whole is not normally treated as a predatory publisher. It is a major scholarly publisher. However, authors should still evaluate the specific journal, not rely on a publisher name alone.
Maintained by the Beallslists.com editorial review team · Last reviewed: June 19, 2026
Why this question appears
Researchers often search this because they see criticism of large commercial publishers, subscription prices, article processing charges, or publishing policies. Those debates are not the same as predatory publishing. Predatory publishing usually refers to deceptive or irresponsible practices such as fake peer review, false indexing, misleading fees, copied editorial boards, or acceptance without meaningful editorial checks.
How to evaluate an Elsevier journal
For any journal, including journals from large publishers, check the specific title. Read the aims and scope, editorial board, peer-review process, APC policy, licensing terms, indexing record, and whether the journal fits your manuscript. A strong publisher name does not automatically make every journal suitable for every paper.
If a journal claims Scopus, MEDLINE, Web of Science, or Journal Citation Reports metrics, verify those claims in the official database. For journal selection, you can also use the check before submission guide.
People also ask
Is Elsevier listed here as predatory?
This page does not treat Elsevier as a predatory publisher. Authors should evaluate individual journal titles.
Can a large publisher have journals that are not suitable for my paper?
Yes. Suitability depends on scope, review process, indexing, fees, and audience.
Is high APC the same as predatory?
No. High fees may be controversial, but predatory concern depends on deception, poor editorial service, or misleading claims.
Useful external references
Use official databases and recognized publishing-ethics resources before making a submission decision. External links are provided for verification and do not replace your institution’s policy.