One of the earliest warning signs is unrealistically fast acceptance. Journals that promise acceptance within a few days or one week usually do not follow genuine peer review, which is a major red flag for both Scopus and Web of Science standards.
Another strong risk indicator is unclear or missing peer-review information. If the journal website does not clearly explain the review process, reviewer criteria, or editorial workflow, it may indicate poor or fake review practices.
False or misleading indexing claims are very common in risky journals. Statements like “Indexed in Scopus/SCI” without proof, or claims that do not match official source lists, should always be verified independently before submission.
A weak or suspicious editorial board is also a warning sign. Editors with no academic affiliation, fake profiles, or names that cannot be found on Google Scholar or university websites suggest low credibility.
Risky journals often show poor website quality and communication. Broken links, grammatical errors, copied content, and emails sent from free domains (like Gmail or Yahoo) indicate unprofessional management.
Finally, pressure tactics and aggressive email invitations are a major red flag. Journals that repeatedly solicit papers, offer discounts, or guarantee publication are often more focused on fees than research quality.