In the world of academic publishing, journals play a critical role in disseminating knowledge, shaping careers, and influencing global research trends. But with the rise of digital publishing, a troubling challenge has emerged—cloned journals and predatory journals. Both exploit researchers, but in different ways. Understanding the distinction is essential for every scholar, from early-career Ph.D. students to seasoned professors.
What Are Cloned Journals?
Cloned journals are fraudulent copies of legitimate, reputed journals. These fake platforms mimic genuine journals by stealing their name, ISSN, website design, and even logos.
Their objective is simple: to deceive authors into thinking they are submitting to a trusted outlet. Once researchers submit, the fraudsters demand publication fees. Unfortunately, these papers are never published in the genuine journal and remain stuck in a fake site with no recognition, no indexing, and no credibility.
How to Spot Cloned Journals:
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Check the official publisher website (e.g., Elsevier, Springer, Wiley) and compare URLs. Clones usually use slightly altered links (e.g., adding “.in” or “.org”).
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Verify the ISSN at the ISSN Portal. If the number doesn’t match, it’s a red flag.
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Look for contact details. Genuine journals use institutional or publisher-based emails, while clones often use free IDs like Gmail or Yahoo.
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Cross-check the journal’s claimed indexing in Scopus, Web of Science, or PubMed.
What Are Predatory Journals?
Predatory journals, unlike cloned journals, are real but unethical. They operate as profit-making businesses without maintaining proper academic standards.
They aggressively invite manuscripts via spam emails, promise lightning-fast publication, and charge high article processing charges (APCs). However, they usually lack peer review, editorial oversight, and authentic indexing, making the published articles unreliable and academically worthless.
How to Spot Predatory Journals:
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Unrealistic promises like “publication within 48 hours.”
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Poor-quality articles already published on the website.
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Editorial boards filled with unknown or fake scholars, or names used without consent.
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Claims of being indexed in top databases that don’t hold up when checked.
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Very high or unusually low fees, often demanded upfront.
Cloned vs Predatory Journals: The Key Difference
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Cloned Journals = Fake Copies of reputed journals (identity theft).
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Predatory Journals = Real but Exploitative journals (profit-driven, no quality).
Both harm researchers, but cloned journals are outright fraudulent, while predatory journals exploit by lowering academic standards.
Why Researchers Fall Into the Trap
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Pressure to publish for career advancement, grants, or promotions.
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Lack of awareness about how to verify journal authenticity.
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Misleading emails that look official and urgent.
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Desire for quick publication without waiting through long peer review processes.
Tips to Stay Safe
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Verify the ISSN and journal details on official databases.
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Check indexing claims directly in Scopus, Web of Science, or PubMed.
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Look at the publisher—reputed publishers maintain clear websites and transparency.
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Assess the peer-review timeline—quality journals take weeks to months, not days.
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Seek guidance from mentors, supervisors, or experienced colleagues.
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Trust your instincts—if something feels “too easy” or “too fast,” it probably is.
Final Thoughts
Publishing is not just about adding lines to your CV—it’s about contributing to science responsibly. Falling prey to cloned or predatory journals can damage your reputation, waste resources, and diminish the value of your research.
The golden rule is simple: Choose quality over speed. Authentic, indexed journals may take time, but they ensure that your work stands the test of credibility and visibility.
Let’s raise awareness, support one another, and build a culture of ethical publishing in academia.
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