Archive history
Original Beall’s List vs updated lists
Several websites preserve or extend material associated with Beall’s List. They may not use the same methodology, dates or update rules. Researchers should identify whether a record comes from the original archive or from a later addition.
Maintained by the Beallslists.com editorial review team · Last reviewed: July 16, 2026
The original archive
The original lists were compiled by librarian Jeffrey Beall and focused on publishers and standalone journals considered potentially predatory under his criteria. Copies and mirrors preserved the material after the original website was no longer maintained.
What “updated Beall’s List” may mean
Later sites can update broken links, add explanatory notes, preserve changelogs or add new organizations. These activities are not automatically part of the original list. A reliable record should clearly label the source and date of each addition.
Questions to ask about any mirror
- Does it distinguish original entries from later additions?
- Is there a documented listing methodology?
- Are updates dated?
- Can a publisher submit evidence or an appeal?
- Are corrections publicly recorded?
- Does the site explain that a listing is a warning signal rather than a legal verdict?
Why the distinction affects fairness
A publisher may be discussed differently depending on the time period and evidence used. Mixing original and later records without labels can create confusion about who made a decision and when. Clear provenance protects both researchers and the organizations being evaluated.
A better current practice
Use historical archives to identify possible risks, then create a current evidence file. Include official database records, ownership, editorial policies, fee disclosures, archiving and recent article quality. This produces a decision that can be explained and reviewed.