Archive provenance
Original Beall’s List vs updated lists
The phrase “Beall’s List” can refer to different things online: Jeffrey Beall’s original archived material, mirror copies of that material, or later lists maintained by other people. Those sources should not be treated as interchangeable.
Maintained by the Beallslists.com editorial review team · Evidence reviewed: · Current verification cycle: 2026
1. The original list
The original lists were compiled by Jeffrey Beall and ended with the closure of his Scholarly Open Access site in 2017. Archived copies preserve a historical snapshot of the names and categories that appeared during that period.
2. Mirror sites
Mirror sites may reproduce the original material so researchers can search or browse it. A mirror can be useful for access, but it is still a copy. Check whether the site distinguishes preserved original content from later changes.
3. Later updates
Some maintainers add new publishers, journals, notes or removals after the original list ended. Those are later editorial decisions. They should be dated and clearly separated from the historical archive so readers know who made the assessment and when.
Why provenance matters
If someone says “this publisher was on Beall’s List,” ask which version and date. A 2016 original entry and a 2025 community addition are not the same claim. For research, legal, promotion or editorial decisions, the source and date should be recorded.
How BeallsLists.com handles archive vs current review
Historical pages should preserve the original context. Current verification pages should show a review date, sources checked and any evidence-based changes. Publisher-specific current profiles should be clearly labeled as present-day reviews rather than presented as original Beall entries.
See the original-list changelog, the current site changelog and editorial methodology.
Sources and further verification
- Jeffrey Beall's published work and historical context — overview of the original list, its history, reception and limitations
- Beall's List archive mirror — example of a preserved historical list and later update structure
Historical records are useful context, but journal ownership, indexing, policies and websites can change. Verify current claims at the original source before making a submission, hiring, promotion or funding decision.