Preprints.org has reached its 10th anniversary, marking a decade since the first article was posted on the platform. Over the past ten years, the server has become a widely used hub for early‑stage research, enabling scientists worldwide to share discoveries, access knowledge freely, and engage across disciplines.
Since its launch in May 2016, Preprints.org has hosted more than 120,000 research works, serving over 400,000 researchers globally. The platform has generated 25 million views and 97 million downloads as of April 2026, underscoring its role in facilitating early access to scientific knowledge and fostering collaboration.
A significant milestone occurred in 2023 when Preprints.org was indexed in the Web of Science Preprint Citation Index, reflecting the growing recognition of preprints as part of the scholarly record.
As the platform expanded, its responsibility to uphold research quality also increased. Dr. Ioana Craciun, Scientific Advisor for Preprints.org, noted that research integrity remains central to the value of preprints. She explained that the platform has implemented a robust screening process and transparent guidelines to ensure submissions meet appropriate standards. These measures are continuously refined to balance rapid dissemination with rigor and trust.
Preprints.org provides several advantages for researchers, including:
• Establishing priority for discoveries and ideas
• Rapid dissemination to a global audience
• Enhanced visibility and citations for authors
• Early peer feedback to improve research quality
• Cross‑disciplinary engagement fostering collaboration and innovation
The platform also integrates with MDPI journals, allowing authors to post submissions as preprints or transfer preprints to journals seamlessly, ensuring synchronized submission information and streamlined workflows.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Preprints.org is hosting community‑focused initiatives, including the #MyMostMemorablePreprint campaign, the release of the 2025 Annual Report, and the Popular Preprints of the Decade Award, which will recognize 110 preprints across 11 subject areas through community voting.
Alistair Freeland, Chief Operating Officer of MDPI and an early member of the Preprints.org team, reflected that MDPI recognized the importance of early‑stage research sharing long before the platform’s launch. He emphasized that early sharing complements journals by exposing ideas to scrutiny sooner and enabling others to build, correct, and extend work.
MDPI’s long‑standing commitment to open science underpins the success of Preprints.org, ensuring that research is shared widely, transparently, and equitably.
Preprints.org plans to continue supporting researchers in publishing early, sharing widely, and collaborating openly. The next decade is expected to bring further innovations in how science is communicated, evaluated, and applied, reinforcing the platform’s role as a cornerstone of open research.
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