Every researcher dreams of one thing: to be read, cited, and remembered. But what if your brilliant work never reaches beyond your university’s library shelf or a paid journal wall? That’s where self-archiving comes in, your ticket to visibility without breaking copyright rules.
What Exactly Is Self-Archiving?
Self-archiving means uploading a copy of your published or pre-published paper to an open online platform. It’s like giving your research a second digital home, hosted in a place where readers, collaborators, and potential funders can discover your work freely and legally.
What can you deposit?
Not every version of your paper can be shared online. It largely depends on your publisher’s policy.
Here’s a quick guide:
Pre-print: The version before peer review. Great for early visibility.
Post-print: The version after peer review but before publisher formatting, usually allowed.
Publisher PDF: The final, typeset version. Most publishers restrict this one, so always check their copyright policy.
When to Deposit
Timing matters!
Before publication: Share your preprint to get early feedback.
After acceptance: Deposit the postprint if your publisher permits.
After embargo period: Some journals allow public sharing 6–12 months post-publication.
The goal is to ensure your work is discoverable as soon, and as legally, as possible.
Where to Deposit
This is the secret to real visibility. The more strategic the platform is, the higher your paper’s reach.
Here are researcher-approved places to self-archive:
Institutional repositories – e.g., your university’s digital archive.
