A strong presence within the scholarly ecosystem is essential. This includes indexing in databases such as Directory of Open Access Journals, the use of high-quality metadata including DOIs, ISSN, and licenses, as well as search engine optimisation of titles and abstracts. Active outreach through direct invitations, special issues, and participation in academic conferences further strengthens visibility and attracts relevant submissions.

Communication and community

Regular communication helps maintain engagement and extend reach. Sharing calls for papers, promoting publications via academic networks and social media, and offering curated content such as newsletters or author insights contribute to a journal’s visibility. A strong community, supported by an active editorial board and institutional collaborations, further enhances credibility and long-term engagement.

Technical quality and trust

A robust and reliable technical setup and clear editorial practices help build trust. Publishing platforms like Open Journal Systems (OJS) can make journal workflows more efficient and content easier to access. Clear peer review steps, ethical standards, and consistent editorial quality also strengthen the journal’s reputation. The growing global use of OJS reflects high confidence in this open-source publishing software.