Journal changed publisher or website? How to verify the new owner

Why journals change hands

Societies can appoint a new publishing partner, commercial publishers can buy portfolios, university journals can migrate to another platform, and independent titles can be transferred to a new owner. A journal may also change its domain while its title and ISSN remain stable.

For authors, these routine changes can look similar to journal hijacking. The difference is usually continuity: a legitimate transfer leaves a trail that can be confirmed outside the new website.

Five places to look for continuity

1. The previous publisher or society. Look for a transfer announcement or an archived journal page pointing to the new home.
2. The new publisher. The journal should appear within an established portfolio, not only on a standalone landing page.
3. ISSN records. Search the title and identifiers for publication history and transfer information where available.
4. Indexing databases. Compare publisher and homepage details in Scopus, Web of Science, NLM or DOAJ as relevant.
5. Article continuity. Check whether volumes, issue numbering, DOI metadata and editorial history continue logically across the transition.

Publisher transfer versus hijacked journal

A legitimate transfer normally preserves the scholarly record and explains what changed. A hijacked site often copies the old identity without a credible handover. It may use the same ISSN but show a different editorial team, unexplained subject expansion, irregular volume numbering or a payment route unrelated to either publisher.

If two sites both claim to be official, do not decide based on design quality. Older legitimate journal sites can look dated, while counterfeit sites can look highly polished.

Check the Transfer history in the ISSN ecosystem

The ISSN Portal includes access to transfer information for participating journal transfers, alongside title and identifier history. It is useful when a journal moved between publishers and the current website alone does not explain the change.

Not every legitimate transfer will appear in every registry immediately. Use it as one part of a broader continuity check.

Questions to ask when the domain changed

• Does the old publisher link to the new domain?
• Is the new domain owned or controlled by the stated publisher or institution?
• Do recent DOI records point to the new journal home?
• Are the editorial board and contact details consistent with the transfer?
• Did indexing records update the homepage or publisher information?
• Can you explain the change without relying on claims made only by the new site?

When to pause before submitting

Pause if the journal changed domain without any traceable announcement, if the archive suddenly starts at a new volume, if the new website cannot explain the earlier publisher, or if the submission/payment process is hosted on an unrelated domain. These are reasons to verify further, not automatic evidence of fraud.

If the problem looks like impersonation rather than a normal transfer, read the hijacked journals guide. If the transfer is clear and you only need to verify indexing, use the journal indexing guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal for a journal to change publisher?

Yes. Scholarly journals can transfer between publishers, societies or platforms. A legitimate transfer should usually leave independent evidence connecting the old and new journal homes.

Does a new journal website mean the journal was hijacked?

No. Domain migrations are common. Verify continuity through the previous publisher, ISSN history, indexing records, DOI metadata and article archives.

How can I verify who owns a journal now?

Check announcements from the previous and current publisher, official journal registries, indexing records and the continuity of the publication archive.

Can the ISSN stay the same after a publisher change?

Yes. A publisher change does not necessarily change the journal identifier, although title or medium changes can affect ISSN records.

Independent sources used in this guide

• ISSN Portal — official journal identity, title-history and transfer information
• Think. Check. Submit. — independent journal-selection checklist

Journal records, publisher practices and web infrastructure can change. Verify time-sensitive claims at the original source before making a submission, funding, hiring, promotion or legal decision.