Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Dr. Bhagat
Predatory Journals·Updated June 2026
What Is Cabell’s? Understanding Predatory Reports and Journalytics
The professionally maintained alternative to Beall’s List — documented criteria, institutional backing, and both blacklist and whitelist tools.
OriginsFrom print directories to digital gatekeeping
Cabell’s International has been in the academic publishing information business since 1978. For decades, it published print directories of academic journals with submission guidelines — particularly in business and education.
The pivot to digital evaluation came in 2017, almost precisely when Beall’s List disappeared. Cabell’s launched its Blacklist (now Predatory Reports) and expanded its existing legitimate journal directory into the more comprehensive Journalytics platform. The timing was not coincidental.
ProductsTwo tools for different needs
Cabell’s offers two distinct products that complement each other. Predatory Reports identifies journals that fail quality standards, while Journalytics helps researchers find legitimate journals that match their submission goals.
| Product | Purpose | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Predatory Reports | Blacklist of suspect journals | ~15,000+ journals with documented violations |
| Journalytics | Whitelist with submission metrics | ~11,000+ verified legitimate journals |
Source: Cabell’s International, 2025
MethodologyHow Cabell’s evaluates journals
Cabell’s uses a documented scoring rubric with multiple violation categories. Each journal in Predatory Reports is flagged for specific violations rather than receiving a vague “predatory” label. This transparency is a major improvement over Beall’s undocumented approach.
Common violation categories include: fraudulent editorial boards, fake impact factors, plagiarism, lack of peer review, and hidden or excessive fees. Each category carries a documented weight, and journals can be flagged for multiple violations simultaneously.
Unlike Beall’s personal blog, Cabell’s is a registered company with an organizational structure that can be held accountable. This means documented appeals processes, customer support, and ongoing maintenance rather than dependence on one individual.
AccessCost and institutional availability
Cabell’s is a subscription service, not a free resource. Individual researchers can purchase personal access, but most users access it through institutional library subscriptions. Pricing varies by institution type and product bundle.
For researchers without institutional access, the free alternatives are DOAJ (whitelist) and Think.Check.Submit (checklist). Cabell’s is valuable when you need a comprehensive, professionally maintained blacklist with documented evidence.
Cabell’s is excellent but not exhaustive. New predatory journals launch constantly. No blacklist can keep pace. Use Cabell’s as one layer in a multi-step verification process, not as a single yes/no gate.
Key Takeaways
- Cabell’s International stepped into the gap left by Beall’s List in 2017.
- Predatory Reports is a documented blacklist; Journalytics is a verified whitelist.
- Evaluation uses a transparent scoring rubric rather than undocumented judgment.
- It is a subscription service, usually accessed through institutional libraries.
- Use it as one layer in a multi-step verification workflow, not a single gate.
FAQPeople also ask
Is Cabell’s free?
No. Cabell’s is a subscription service. Most users access it through institutional library subscriptions. Individual subscriptions are available but not free.
How does Cabell’s differ from Beall’s List?
Cabell’s has institutional backing, documented methodology, a scoring rubric, and an appeals process. Beall’s List was a single person’s blog with no formal verification or accountability structure.
Can I appeal a Cabell’s listing?
Yes. Cabell’s has a documented appeals process for journals listed in Predatory Reports. This was one of the major criticisms of Beall’s List — there was no formal way to dispute a listing.
What is the difference between Predatory Reports and Journalytics?
Predatory Reports is a blacklist of journals that fail quality standards. Journalytics is a whitelist of verified legitimate journals with additional submission metrics and editorial timelines.
Should I use Cabell’s or DOAJ?
Use both. DOAJ is a free whitelist that signals legitimacy. Cabell’s is a paid blacklist that signals deception. They serve different purposes and complement each other in a thorough verification workflow.
SourcesReferences & further reading
FAQFrequently Asked Questions About Cabell’s
Is Cabell’s Predatory Reports free to use?
No. Cabell’s is a subscription service. Individual researchers typically access it through their institutional library. Pricing varies by institution size.
How does Cabell’s differ from Beall’s List?
Beall’s List was a personal blog with subjective criteria. Cabell’s uses documented, transparent criteria, employs professional staff, and provides an appeals process. Cabell’s also offers a whitelist (Journalytics) in addition to a blacklist (Predatory Reports).
Can a journal be removed from Predatory Reports?
Yes. Journals can appeal their inclusion. If a journal demonstrates that it has addressed the violations, it may be removed from the blacklist after review.
Best PracticesHow to Use Cabell’s Effectively
For Researchers: Before submitting to an unfamiliar journal, check both Journalytics (whitelist) and Predatory Reports (blacklist). A journal’s absence from both lists means it has not been evaluated yet — proceed with additional verification steps.
For Librarians: Cabell’s is a valuable tool for collection development. Use Journalytics to identify quality journals for institutional subscriptions and Predatory Reports to filter out deceptive publishers.
For Administrators: Cabell’s criteria can inform institutional publication policies. The 60+ violation criteria provide an objective framework for evaluating journal quality.