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ORCID iD and Phone Number at Registration: Plugin for OJS 3.3

February 9th 2026 at 4:12 am

If you manage an academic journal on OJS, you already know the problem: a new author registers, submits a manuscript — and then you realize their ORCID iD and phone number are missing from their profile. You send an email asking them to update their profile, wait for a response, and sometimes follow up again. This small gap in the registration workflow costs time for everyone involved.

Registration Fields is an open-source OJS plugin that closes this gap by adding ORCID iD and Phone Number fields directly to the user registration form.

The Problem

OJS stores both ORCID iD and phone number in user profiles. These fields exist in the system and are used by DOI registration, Crossref deposits, and editorial communication. However, OJS only allows users to fill in these fields after registration, through the profile editor. There is no built-in way to ask for this information during signup.

For journals that require ORCID iDs — an increasingly common policy — this creates an unnecessary extra step. Authors register, then must be reminded to go back and add their ORCID. For editorial offices that need phone numbers for communication, the same problem applies.

What the Plugin Does

The Registration Fields plugin adds two optional fields to the OJS registration form, positioned between the profile section and the login credentials section:

ORCID iD and Phone Number fields appear on the registration form, above the Login section.

Each field can be independently enabled or disabled, and each can be set as required or optional. The configuration is done through a simple settings panel accessible from the plugin management page:

The settings panel lets you enable, require, or disable each field independently. A debug mode is available for troubleshooting.

Values entered during registration are saved directly to the corresponding OJS profile fields — the same fields used by ORCID integrations, Crossref, and the editorial contact system. No new database tables are created; the plugin simply writes to what is already there.

Key Features

ORCID iD validation accepts three common input formats — bare identifier (0000-0000-0000-0000), full HTTPS URL, or HTTP URL — and normalizes all of them to the standard https://orcid.org/ format on save.

Phone number validation accepts international formats with country codes, supporting digits, spaces, plus signs, dashes, and parentheses.

Theme compatibility is handled through flexible pattern matching with a built-in fallback mechanism. The plugin works across OJS themes including Default, Manuscript, Bootstrap3, Health Sciences, JournalPlus, NIVO, and AXIS. If a theme uses an unusual HTML structure, the fields are still rendered before the form’s closing tag.

Debug mode can be enabled from the settings panel to write diagnostic information to the PHP error log. This helps identify exactly how the plugin is interacting with a particular theme, making it easy to troubleshoot without modifying any code.

Who Is This For?

  • Journals requiring ORCID iDs at submission — Collect them upfront instead of chasing authors after registration.
  • Editorial offices that communicate by phone — Have the number from day one.
  • Journal managers who want cleaner author profiles — Reduce incomplete registrations without adding manual follow-up steps.

Technical Details

The plugin integrates with OJS through its hook system — no core files are modified. It uses output filtering to inject fields into the registration form, server-side validation for all inputs, and a deferred save mechanism to ensure data is written after the user record is created. All input is sanitized and escaped, and the plugin includes CSRF protection for its settings form.

It is compatible with OJS 3.3.0.0 through 3.3.0.22 and PHP 7.4 through 8.2.

Installation

  1. Download the latest release from GitHub.
  2. In OJS, go to Settings → Website → Plugins → Upload a New Plugin.
  3. Upload the .tar.gz file and enable the plugin.
  4. Click Settings to configure which fields appear on the registration form.

The plugin is free, open-source (GPL v3), and available in English and Turkish.


Developed by OJS Services.

The post ORCID iD and Phone Number at Registration: Plugin for OJS 3.3 first appeared on OPEN JOURNAL SYSTEM SERVICES.

Journal Metrics: Why They Matter and How to Present Them in Your Journal Website

September 21st 2025 at 2:34 pm

Introduction: Why Journal Metrics Matter

In today’s publishing world, journals compete not only on the quality of the papers they publish but also on how clearly they communicate their credibility, efficiency, and visibility. Readers, authors, and reviewers are increasingly selective. They want to know: How fast does this journal process submissions? What’s the acceptance rate? Is it indexed in trusted databases? How widely is it read and cited?

That’s where journal metrics come in.
Metrics are not just numbers. They are signposts of trust, evidence of performance, and indicators of future growth. When displayed correctly, journal metrics help authors decide where to submit, reviewers where to invest their time, and institutions which journals to recognize and support.

For journal managers, however, a recurring question is: Which metrics should we present? Where should they appear? In this guide, we’ll break down the most important journal metrics, explain why they matter, and offer practical suggestions on how to showcase them—both on the homepage and in a dedicated “Journal Metrics” or “Statistics” section.

This image shows the metrics section from a custom OJS theme we developed, designed to display key journal statistics in a clear and user-friendly format.


1. Publishing Speed & Process Metrics

One of the first things authors look at is how long it takes to publish in your journal. Nobody wants to wait years for their work to appear. Process-related metrics signal efficiency, transparency, and professionalism.

Key examples include:

  • Days to First Decision: Example – 14 days. Shows how quickly editors respond initially.
  • Submission to Acceptance: Example – 120 days. Communicates the overall timeline authors can expect.
  • Acceptance to Publication: Example – 15 days. Highlights production speed once a paper is accepted.
  • Average Review Time: Example – 35 days. Transparency about peer review efficiency.
  • Time to First Review Assignment: Example – 20 days. Shows how quickly reviewers are engaged.
  • Total Publication Time: Example – 135 days. Summarizes the journey from submission to publication.

Why it matters: Shorter times can make your journal more attractive. Publishing speed also signals strong editorial workflows and reviewer management.

“Instead of reading the full text, you can also watch our video on this topic here:


2. Acceptance & Publishing Statistics

Numbers also tell the story of selectivity and productivity. These statistics highlight both your journal’s scale and its editorial standards.

Examples:

  • Annual Submissions Received: Example – 500 per year.
  • Submissions Accepted: Example – 150.
  • Acceptance Rate: Example – 30%. Indicates competitiveness.
  • Rejection Rate: Example – 70%. Often paired with acceptance.
  • Articles Published per Year: Example – 120. Shows consistency.
  • Number of Issues per Year: Example – 6 issues annually.
  • Special Issues Ratio: Example – 20%. Shows flexibility in publishing thematic collections.

Why it matters: These numbers help authors gauge how competitive your journal is, and help readers understand output volume. High-quality journals balance a healthy submission flow with thoughtful acceptance.


3. Impact & Citation Metrics

Perhaps the most widely recognized, impact and citation metrics demonstrate scholarly influence.

Common examples:

  • Impact Factor (Clarivate): Example – 3.3.
  • 5-Year Impact Factor: Example – 4.2.
  • CiteScore (Scopus): Example – 2.9.
  • Scimago Journal Rank (SJR): Example – 0.65.
  • Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP): Example – 1.2.
  • H-Index: Example – 45.
  • Average Citations per Article: Example – 3.1.

Why it matters: These are the metrics universities, funders, and researchers often consider first. They highlight not just the quality of articles, but the journal’s reputation in its field.


4. Access & Indexing Information

Beyond citations, a journal’s access model and indexing profile are key to visibility and compliance.

Important items:

  • Access Type: Open Access vs. Subscription. Example – Open Access.
  • License Type: Creative Commons options (e.g., CC BY 4.0).
  • Article Processing Charge (APC): Example – 1000 USD, or “No APCs”.
  • Indexing Databases: DOAJ, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, TR Dizin, EBSCO, Ulakbim.
  • Plagiarism Check Tools: iThenticate, Turnitin.

Why it matters: Indexing increases discoverability. Access policies affect author trust. Displaying them openly communicates transparency and alignment with international publishing standards.


5. Author & Reviewer Diversity

Academic publishing is global, and diversity metrics reflect inclusivity.

Examples:

  • International Authorship: Example – 60%.
  • Number of Contributing Countries: Example – 40+.
  • Reviewer Pool Size: Example – *800+.
  • Reviewers per Paper: Example – 2.5 on average.
  • Editorial Board Countries: Example – 25 different nations.
  • Gender Diversity Stats: Example – 45% women authors.

Why it matters: These metrics demonstrate a journal’s reach and inclusivity. Many indexers (such as DOAJ and Scopus) consider international diversity a key criterion.


6. Reader Engagement & Visibility

Finally, journals should not ignore reader-facing metrics, which show impact beyond academia.

Examples:

  • Annual Downloads: Example – 150,000+.
  • Downloads per Article: Example – 1,200.
  • Monthly Unique Visitors: Example – 20,000.
  • Altmetric Attention Score: Example – 8.5 average.
  • Social Media Mentions: Example – 1,500 total.
  • Mendeley Readers: Example – 5,000 total / 40 per article.
  • Registered Users or Subscribers: Example – 3,500 members.

Why it matters: These statistics highlight your journal’s visibility, both academically and publicly. They can reassure authors that their work will be widely read and shared.


7. Beyond Numbers: Integrations and Tools

Metrics are powerful, but so are the technical integrations that support visibility and trust. If your journal runs on Open Journal Systems (OJS), you can leverage built-in integrations:

  • ORCID: Enables authors and reviewers to link their publications to a verified researcher ID.
  • Crossref: Ensures DOIs are assigned, making articles permanent and citable.
  • Google Scholar: Increases discoverability.
  • iThenticate/Turnitin: Shows commitment to plagiarism-free publishing.
  • PlumX Metrics: Offers alternative metrics beyond citations.
  • OAI-PMH Protocol: Ensures interoperability with repositories and databases.
  • RSS Feeds: Keeps readers updated.
  • Sitemaps: Improves SEO and indexing by Google.

Why it matters: These integrations make your journal stand out, signaling professionalism and technical maturity.


8. How to Present Journal Metrics

Now that we know what to show, the question is: where to show them?

  • Homepage: Display headline numbers (e.g., Impact Factor, Acceptance Rate, Days to First Decision). Keep it simple and eye-catching.
  • Dedicated “Journal Metrics” Page: Present detailed breakdowns—publishing speed, acceptance statistics, diversity, engagement.
  • Indexing Information: On homepage, show 2–3 key indexes (e.g., DOAJ, Scopus). For the full list, link to a dedicated “Indexing & Databases” page.
  • Always Include “Last Updated” Date: Transparency builds trust. For example: Metrics last updated: March 2025.

9. Why More (Accurate) Metrics = More Visibility

The more accurate and transparent your metrics, the stronger your journal’s profile becomes. Metrics help you:

  • Build trust with authors and reviewers.
  • Improve discoverability with readers and databases.
  • Increase credibility in evaluations and rankings.
  • Enhance scalability for future growth.
  • Strengthen your competitive edge in attracting quality submissions.

Put simply: A journal without visible metrics is like a shop without a signboard. People may walk past, but few will come in.


10. Guidance for Journal Managers

Not all journals are at the same stage.

  • New journals: Focus on process metrics (speed, acceptance rates), access policy, and integrations (DOIs, ORCID, iThenticate).
  • Established journals: Add citation-based metrics (Impact Factor, CiteScore), diversity stats, and reader engagement data.
  • All journals: Keep metrics updated and clear. Outdated or missing data damages credibility.

At the end of the day, the right mix of metrics depends on your journal’s maturity, scope, and audience.


11. Extended Checklist of Journal Metrics

Since every journal is unique, here is a broad list of possible metrics. Journals can select the ones most relevant to their scope and maturity:

  • Publishing Speed & Process: Days to first decision, review time, acceptance to publication, total publication time.
  • Acceptance & Publishing Statistics: Submissions received, accepted, acceptance/rejection rate, articles published, number of issues, special issues.
  • Impact & Citations: Impact Factor, CiteScore, SJR, SNIP, H-Index, citations per article.
  • Access & Indexing: Access type, license, APCs, indexing databases, plagiarism tools.
  • Diversity: International authorship, contributing countries, reviewer pool size, gender diversity.
  • Engagement: Downloads, unique visitors, Altmetrics, social media mentions, Mendeley readers.
  • Technical Integrations: ORCID, Crossref, Google Scholar, iThenticate, PlumX, OAI-PMH, RSS, sitemap.

Note: These metrics vary between journals. Newer journals may not yet have citation metrics, while established ones can showcase both quantitative and qualitative indicators. Pick what’s relevant, but keep expanding as your journal grows.


Conclusion

Journal metrics are more than just numbers—they are a communication tool. They tell authors that your journal is efficient, respected, and trustworthy. They reassure reviewers that their time is valued. They show readers that published research is widely read and cited.

By strategically presenting metrics on your website—highlighting a few on the homepage, and listing a comprehensive set on a dedicated page—you can strengthen your journal’s visibility, impact, and reputation.

At OJS Services, we help journals achieve exactly that. From new journal setup to OJS upgrades, from plugin integrations to custom theme development, we provide the technical and strategic support you need to present your journal at its very best.

The post Journal Metrics: Why They Matter and How to Present Them in Your Journal Website first appeared on OPEN JOURNAL SYSTEM SERVICES.

Comprehensive List of OJS Plugins

August 2nd 2025 at 11:26 pm

Open Journal Systems (OJS) is an open-source journal management and publishing platform developed by the Public Knowledge Project (PKP). Trusted by thousands of academic journals worldwide, OJS offers a comprehensive, customizable environment to manage every aspect of scholarly publishing — from submission and peer review to publication, indexing, and archiving.

While OJS provides a robust set of built-in features — including role-based editorial workflows, issue management, user registration, SEO optimization, DOI integration, and XML exports — one of its greatest strengths lies in its modular plugin architecture.

Why Are Plugins Important?

Plugins extend OJS functionality and allow journals to tailor the system to their specific needs. Whether your focus is discoverability, editorial efficiency, analytics, or user experience, plugins make it possible to enhance your publishing platform without modifying the core software.

Here are just a few areas where OJS plugins make a real difference:

  • Indexing and Visibility: Seamless integration with platforms like Google Scholar, DOAJ, Crossref, and PubMed boosts your journal’s discoverability and academic reach.

  • Design and Accessibility: Themes, language toggles, and visual enhancements improve the journal’s appearance and user-friendliness.

  • Statistics and Reporting: Plugins can provide detailed insights into views, downloads, citations, and subscriptions to support editorial decisions and strategic planning.

  • Security and Archiving: With plugins for backup, virus scanning, and integration with preservation networks like PKP PN and Portico, your journal’s content stays secure and permanently accessible.

  • User Experience: Enhance your site with social sharing tools, suggested articles, improved submission workflows, payment systems, and more.

In short, plugins not only add technical capabilities but also empower journal managers and editors to run more efficient, visible, and reader-friendly publications — aligned with global publishing standards.

If you need help with academic journal setup, OJS hosting, system upgrades, technical support, plugin installation, or even custom plugin development, feel free to contact us — we’re here to support your publishing goals every step of the way.

Comprehensive List of OJS Plugins (With Explanations)

Below is a full list of available plugins for OJS, along with detailed descriptions of what each plugin does, who it’s for, and how it can benefit your journal. Whether you’re just starting or managing a well-established publication, this list serves as a valuable reference to help you take full advantage of the OJS ecosystem.

Plugin NameExplanation
AcronThe Acron plugin simulates cron-like behavior by executing scheduled tasks during user interactions. It enables automatic processing of routine maintenance such as sending email reminders, log rotations, and statistics updates without requiring server-level cron setup, making it easier to manage hosting environments without shell access.
Allowed UploadsAllowed Uploads plugin allows journal managers to control the file types users can upload during manuscript submission. This ensures that only safe and relevant file formats are accepted, reducing the risk of malicious content and maintaining a clean and consistent submission process across different submissions and users.
Announcement BlockAnnouncement Block plugin provides a sidebar widget to display recent announcements. Journal managers can configure how many announcements are shown. This is useful for keeping readers informed about new issues, editorial updates, calls for papers, or any important journal-related news directly on the front page.
Announcement FeedAnnouncement Feed plugin generates RSS and Atom feeds for published announcements. This allows users to subscribe and receive updates automatically in their feed readers. It's useful for disseminating journal news efficiently and reaching audiences beyond regular website visitors through web syndication technologies.
ArkThe Ark plugin enables the generation and management of ARK (Archival Resource Key) identifiers for issues, articles, and galleys. These persistent identifiers improve long-term access to academic content, helping institutions and libraries manage digital objects in an interoperable and stable way.
Articles ReportThe Articles Report plugin generates a downloadable CSV spreadsheet that includes detailed metadata for all articles in the system—published or unpublished. Information includes titles, abstracts, author names, and submission status, making it an invaluable tool for journal managers conducting audits, exporting data, or reviewing editorial workflows.
AkismetAkismet is an anti-spam plugin that checks new user registrations against the Akismet database to detect suspicious or spammy behavior. Useful especially in open registration environments, this plugin helps prevent bot accounts and maintain a cleaner, more secure user base. An Akismet API key is required to use it.
Author RequirementsThe Author Requirements plugin allows journals to configure which author fields are required or optional during submission. For example, journals that don't require an ORCID or email for every contributor can make those fields optional, enabling more flexible submission policies without compromising metadata completeness.
Authors HistoryAuthors History plugin adds a new tab to the Publication section of each submission, listing all previous submissions by the same contributor. This provides editors with historical context when evaluating new submissions, aiding decisions on review assignments, author reputation, and editorial workload distribution.
BackupThe Backup plugin enables administrators to generate full backups of their OJS installations, including files, database content, and configurations. This is essential for disaster recovery and system migration tasks. Backups can be downloaded and stored offline for safekeeping, helping maintain business continuity.
Bepress Import (unvetted)Bepress Import plugin helps journals transition from the Bepress Digital Commons platform to OJS. It maps and imports article metadata, full text, and issues into the OJS framework. This simplifies platform migration and allows journals to preserve their existing content and structure in a new environment.
Better PasswordThe Better Password plugin enhances user account security by enforcing stricter password requirements. It allows journal administrators to define password rules, such as minimum length, use of special characters, or restrictions on reused passwords, improving overall data protection and reducing account vulnerabilities.
Bibi Epub ViewerBibi Epub Viewer plugin embeds EPUB-format galleys directly within the article page using the Bibi EPUB reader. This allows readers to enjoy a smooth, book-like reading experience within their browsers, eliminating the need to download files and enhancing accessibility across devices.
Bootstrap3 ThemeBootstrap3 Theme provides a foundational Bootstrap 3-based theme for OJS, giving developers a flexible framework for customizing the journal's look and feel. It's intended for use by those with knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript who want to build a completely unique visual style.
Browse BlockBrowse Block plugin adds a sidebar widget that enables readers to navigate articles by section, such as Research Articles, Reviews, or Editorials. It enhances user experience by improving content discoverability and supporting thematic exploration within journal issues.
Browse By SectionThe Browse By Section plugin allows journal administrators to add journal sections (e.g., Articles, Reviews) to the navigation menu. This helps readers browse all content from specific sections across multiple issues, providing a more organized and accessible way to explore the journal's archive.
Citation Style LanguageThe Citation Style Language plugin enables article citation exports in multiple formats such as APA, MLA, or Chicago. Readers can copy citations in their preferred style, facilitating easier referencing in academic writing. This is especially useful for researchers and students who need to cite articles quickly.
Clam Antivirus Plugin for OJSClam Antivirus Plugin integrates ClamAV antivirus scanning into the OJS submission process. All uploaded files are scanned for viruses, and any infected files are blocked. This provides an important layer of security for the journal, protecting both editorial staff and readers from malware.
Classic ThemeThe Classic Theme plugin delivers a traditional scholarly appearance for OJS websites, emphasizing high-contrast fonts and minimalist design. Inspired by classic literary publications, it appeals to journals aiming for a timeless and readable aesthetic, especially in the humanities and social sciences.
COinSThe COinS plugin (ContextObjects in Spans) embeds machine-readable metadata into article pages using the OpenURL standard. This allows citation management tools like Zotero to automatically recognize and import article metadata, making scholarly referencing and organization easier for researchers.
Content AnalysisThe Content Analysis plugin (specific to OPS) scans uploaded submissions to detect missing metadata such as titles or abstracts. This helps ensure data quality before a submission progresses through the workflow. Editors can catch issues early and request corrections from authors if needed.
Control Public FilesControl Public Files plugin gives managers greater control over who can upload files to the public directory and what file types are allowed. This can reduce clutter and improve site security by preventing the upload of unauthorized or potentially unsafe files by users.
COUNTER ReportsCOUNTER Reports plugin generates CSV spreadsheets of journal usage data based on the COUNTER standard. Metrics include article views, downloads, and other key statistics. Though it does not make a journal fully COUNTER-compliant, it offers valuable insights for internal reporting and analysis.
Crossref Reference Linking PluginCrossref Reference Linking Plugin automates the process of checking references in submitted articles against Crossref’s database. It attempts to match and assign DOIs to references, ensuring citations are properly linked. This improves scholarly connectivity and enhances the accuracy of metadata deposits.
CrossRef XML Export PluginCrossRef XML Export Plugin facilitates the export of article, issue, and galley metadata in Crossref XML format. This is critical for journals assigning DOIs through Crossref and allows for either manual submission or automated deposits using Crossref credentials.
Custom Block ManagerThe Custom Block Manager plugin enables administrators to create, edit, and manage custom sidebar blocks directly from the OJS dashboard. These blocks can include text, images, or HTML content, offering flexibility for displaying announcements, banners, or additional journal information in the sidebar area.
Custom Header PluginThe Custom Header Plugin allows the insertion of custom HTML or JavaScript into the section of journal pages. This is useful for integrating third-party tools like analytics, chat widgets, or custom CSS, enabling enhanced customization beyond what's offered through themes alone.
Custom LocaleCustom Locale plugin allows journal managers to edit language keys (labels, buttons, messages) used across the OJS interface. This is ideal for journals that want to tailor terminology to specific audiences or make interface language more intuitive for their users, without modifying core files.
Datacite export for OJSThe Datacite Export plugin enables exporting or registering article, issue, and galley metadata in the DataCite format. This is crucial for journals that register DOIs via DataCite, ensuring proper metadata formatting for indexing and long-term discoverability in global repositories.
Datacite export for OMPDatacite export for OMP extends DataCite integration to support monographs and book chapters. It allows presses using OMP to assign and register DOIs for long-form publications with chapter-level granularity, helping scholarly publishers maintain consistent identifiers across formats.
DataverseThe Dataverse plugin integrates Dataverse data repositories with OJS and OPS. Authors can submit research data as part of their manuscript, enhancing reproducibility and transparency. Reviewers and readers can access datasets directly from article pages or submission views if enabled.
DC Metadata FormatDC Metadata Format plugin ensures article metadata is structured in accordance with the Dublin Core standard. This supports compatibility with various digital libraries and indexing systems, making OJS journal content more discoverable through standardized metadata protocols.
Default ThemeThe Default Theme is the out-of-the-box theme included with OJS/OMP/OPS. It emphasizes simplicity and accessibility, following WCAG standards for contrast, navigation, and readability. Suitable for journals that want a professional, clean design without custom theming efforts.
Default TranslationDefault Translation plugin provides fallback support to English if any translation key is missing in the selected language. This prevents incomplete or broken interfaces when using partially translated locales, ensuring users always see readable content even with incomplete translations.
Developed By BlockDeveloped By Block plugin adds a customizable 'Developed By' link in the sidebar, usually pointing to the OJS or PKP website. It offers a small branding element and is often used for crediting platform development or promoting the use of open-source publishing tools.
DisqusThe Disqus plugin integrates the Disqus commenting system into article abstract pages. Readers can post comments and engage in discussion, fostering reader-author interaction. It's especially useful for journals that encourage post-publication peer review or want to create a more dynamic and engaged readership.
DOAJ Export PluginThe DOAJ Export Plugin facilitates the export and delivery of journal articles to the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Journals with a DOAJ API Key can automate this process. This helps enhance visibility and credibility by ensuring content is discoverable on one of the major open access indexes.
DOIThe DOI plugin allows journals to assign Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to their published content such as issues, articles, and galleys. It supports integration with multiple DOI registration agencies (Crossref, DataCite, Medra), making scholarly content easily citable and permanently findable.
DOI to mEDRA XML Export and RegistrationThe DOI to mEDRA XML Export and Registration plugin enables export of metadata in ONIX for DOI format for registration with mEDRA. This plugin is tailored for European DOI management needs and offers integration with mEDRA's DOI registration services for scholarly publishing.
DOI to OP DOI RA XML Export and RegistrationThe DOI to OP DOI RA plugin facilitates export of article and issue metadata in ONIX4DOI format for DOI registration with OP DOI RA. It serves journals that register DOIs through OP, streamlining the technical process of metadata submission and identifier management.
DRIVERThe DRIVER plugin extends the OAI-PMH protocol to conform with DRIVER Guidelines 2.0. This helps journals become DRIVER-compliant, which is necessary for inclusion in certain European repository networks and supports improved metadata harvesting and interoperability.
Dublin Core IndexingThe Dublin Core Indexing plugin embeds Dublin Core metadata directly into article views. This improves indexing by digital libraries and search engines. It ensures that title, creator, subject, and other metadata elements are properly tagged for enhanced content discovery.
Email Issue Table of ContentsThe Email Issue Table of Contents plugin automatically adds the issue’s table of contents to the email notification sent out when a new issue is published. This helps readers see the full content lineup at a glance, improving engagement and encouraging traffic to newly published material.
EPUB viewerThe EPUB viewer plugin allows EPUB-formatted galleys to be viewed directly in the browser using the epub.js library. This makes journal content more accessible on mobile devices and tablets, enhancing the reading experience for users who prefer e-book formats over PDFs.
Forthcoming articles (unvetted)The Forthcoming Articles plugin allows journals to publish and display individual articles before an issue is finalized. These articles are shown in a special ‘Forthcoming’ section rather than in the issue archive. This supports early visibility for accepted manuscripts and faster dissemination of research.
FundingThe Funding plugin allows authors to provide detailed funding information related to their submissions. It pulls from the Crossref Funder Registry and integrates this data into article metadata for indexing and export. This supports transparency and compliance with funder reporting requirements in open access publishing.
Google AnalyticsGoogle Analytics plugin integrates Google’s website tracking service with OJS. It helps journal managers track user visits, behavior, popular articles, and traffic sources. This is valuable for assessing reader engagement, refining site layout, and optimizing content visibility through analytics insights.
Google Scholar IndexingGoogle Scholar Indexing plugin enhances a journal’s visibility in Google Scholar by ensuring that metadata is properly formatted and discoverable. It helps ensure articles appear in search results, significantly improving discoverability, citations, and the academic impact of published research.
Health Sciences ThemeThe Health Sciences Theme is a professional and clean theme optimized for health and medical journals. It prioritizes legibility, accessibility, and usability, offering a neutral yet informative layout that emphasizes article content while maintaining institutional trust and credibility.
HoneypotHoneypot plugin is an anti-spam measure that works by inserting a hidden field into registration forms. Bots that automatically fill all fields—including hidden ones—are blocked, while human users proceed normally. It helps reduce spam accounts without disrupting legitimate registrations.
HTML Article GalleyHTML Article Galley plugin provides a built-in browser viewer for HTML-formatted article galleys in OJS. It improves user experience by displaying articles within the page rather than requiring downloads, making content more accessible and preserving layout and links from original HTML.
HTML Monograph FileHTML Monograph File plugin is designed for OMP and allows monograph files formatted in HTML to be rendered directly in the browser. This improves accessibility and readability, especially for long-form works, without forcing users to download files.
Hypothes.isThe Hypothes.is plugin integrates with the Hypothes.is annotation service. It allows readers to comment on and highlight parts of the article, particularly useful for public peer review, educational use, or reader engagement. Works best with HTML galleys; PDF support is limited.
Immersion ThemeImmersion Theme offers a visually striking experience, emphasizing readability and branding. Journals can customize header images and colors by section. It’s well-suited for journals that want a modern, attractive design that stands out while still supporting strong content legibility.
Information BlockThe Information Block plugin provides sidebar sections labeled 'For Readers', 'For Authors', and 'For Librarians'. These are editable via the journal’s setup area and offer essential orientation for each type of user, guiding them to appropriate resources and instructions.
Inline Html GalleyInline HTML Galley plugin improves how HTML galleys are displayed by embedding them directly within the article view page instead of using iframes. This results in cleaner rendering, better responsiveness, and improved accessibility for readers, especially on mobile devices and screen readers.
iThenticateThe iThenticate plugin integrates OJS with the iThenticate plagiarism detection service. All submission files can be automatically scanned to ensure originality. It helps editors detect academic misconduct early, maintain publication integrity, and meet institutional and ethical publishing standards.
JATS TemplateJATS Template plugin generates a basic JATS XML file based on the article metadata and available content. This is useful when full JATS XML is unavailable. Combined with the OAI JATS plugin, it ensures that journals can expose machine-readable metadata for indexing and archiving.
Keyword Cloud PluginThe Keyword Cloud Plugin displays a visual cloud of keywords on the sidebar, where frequently used terms appear larger. This improves discoverability and helps readers identify common themes in published articles. Clicking a keyword redirects users to a filtered list of related content.
Language Toggle BlockLanguage Toggle Block plugin adds a widget that lets readers switch between enabled interface languages. It’s especially useful for multilingual journals, making it easier for users to browse content in their preferred language directly from the sidebar.
Lens Viewer for Monographs and Journal ArticlesLens Viewer plugin provides an HTML viewer for JATS XML-formatted articles and monographs using eLife Lens. It allows readers to interact with structured content—figures, tables, references—inline and offers a modern reading experience for journals distributing XML-based articles.
Lucene/Solr PluginLucene/Solr Plugin adds support for indexing OJS content with Apache Solr or Lucene. This improves search accuracy and performance, especially in large multi-journal systems. Setup is complex and recommended only for advanced users or journals with high content volume.
Make a Submission BlockMake a Submission Block plugin provides a sidebar button that links directly to the submission page. It streamlines navigation for potential authors and encourages more submissions by keeping the submission entry point visible across the journal site.
Manual Fee PaymentManual Fee Payment plugin enables administrators to record fee payments received outside the system (e.g., bank transfer, in-person). This is useful for journals using alternative payment channels and allows them to maintain accurate financial records within OJS.
Manuscript (Default child theme)The Manuscript (Default Child Theme) applies a boxed layout that mimics a printed page. It’s a simple and clean design suited for scholarly content, preserving readability while giving a formal and structured appearance to journal articles.
MARC Metadata FormatThe MARC Metadata Format plugin structures metadata according to the MARC standard, commonly used by libraries. This enhances interoperability with library catalog systems, ensuring that journal content can be easily discovered, cataloged, and preserved in academic and public libraries.
MARC21 Metadata FormatThe MARC21 Metadata Format plugin outputs metadata in the MARC21 format, a variant of MARC widely used in the United States and internationally. It's helpful for libraries needing structured, machine-readable metadata for inclusion in union catalogs and bibliographic databases.
Material ThemeMaterial Theme plugin offers a frontend based on the Material Design framework (via MDBootstrap). It introduces a modern, card-based interface with interactive buttons and shadows. Ideal for journals seeking a contemporary appearance that emphasizes readability and usability.
MatomoMatomo plugin integrates the Matomo analytics platform (formerly Piwik) with OJS. Journals can monitor site traffic, visitor behavior, and article performance in a privacy-conscious environment. It’s a powerful alternative to Google Analytics with self-hosting capabilities.
Most readMost Read plugin adds a sidebar block that displays the top five most-viewed articles over the past week. Each entry includes the number of views, helping readers discover popular content and offering insight into trending topics within the journal.
Native XMLNative XML plugin allows import and export of article and issue content using OJS’s native XML schema. It’s commonly used for migrations, backups, and bulk publishing workflows. This plugin is essential for interoperability between different OJS instances and for long-term archiving.
OAI JATSThe OAI JATS plugin exposes article metadata in JATS XML format via the OAI-PMH protocol. While it does not generate JATS XML itself, it serves journals that already have JATS content and want to make it accessible for harvesting by archives and repositories.
ONIX 3.0 Monograph Export PluginONIX 3.0 Monograph Export Plugin exports monograph metadata in ONIX 3.0 format, which is used in the publishing industry for book distribution. It's especially relevant for OMP users and helps presses share metadata with distributors, libraries, and catalogs.
Open GraphThe Open Graph plugin inserts Open Graph tags into article and issue pages, enabling proper previews when links are shared on social media. It enhances how journal content appears on platforms like Facebook or Twitter, potentially increasing user engagement and visibility.
OpenAIREOpenAIRE plugin helps journals comply with OpenAIRE metadata standards and supports enhanced discoverability within European research infrastructure. It adds project IDs to metadata and extends OAI-PMH to meet OpenAIRE guidelines, promoting integration with EU-funded research systems.
OpenID AuthenticationThe OpenID Authentication plugin allows users to log in using third-party authentication providers like Google, Microsoft, ORCID, or Apple ID. It simplifies account creation and login, improves security, and is especially useful for journals that attract international authors and reviewers.
ORCID ProfileThe ORCID Profile plugin enables users to connect their ORCID iD with their OJS account and automatically import their public profile information. This ensures accurate author identification, supports metadata enrichment, and complies with funder and indexer requirements for persistent researcher identifiers.
PaperbuzzPaperbuzz plugin displays alternative metrics (altmetrics) on article pages, such as social media mentions, blog posts, and shares. It uses Crossref Event Data to provide free metrics, giving editors and authors insight into the broader impact and attention their research is receiving.
PayPal Fee PaymentPayPal Fee Payment plugin allows journals to collect payments for article processing charges (APCs), subscriptions, or other fees via PayPal. The plugin facilitates secure, real-time payment processing and is ideal for journals with monetized publishing models or membership structures.
PDF.JS PDF ViewerPDF.JS PDF Viewer plugin provides an in-browser viewer for PDF galleys using Mozilla’s PDF.js. It enhances accessibility by eliminating the need to download files and ensures cross-platform compatibility, offering users a consistent experience regardless of their device or browser.
PKP Usage Statistics ReportThe PKP Usage Statistics Report plugin exports monthly usage data including homepage visits, article views, and file downloads. It can also provide geographic statistics when configured. These reports are essential for journal performance analysis and reporting to stakeholders.
PKP PNPKP PN plugin automates the preservation of published journal content in the PKP Preservation Network. It ensures long-term archiving and protection against data loss. This plugin is essential for compliance with preservation policies and institutional archiving requirements.
PlauditPlaudit plugin adds a widget to article pages that enables peer endorsements. Scholars can publicly approve research with short, structured comments. This supports open peer evaluation, improves reader confidence, and complements traditional citation-based impact metrics.
Plugins update notificationPlugins update notification plugin alerts administrators when installed plugins have updates available in the Plugin Gallery. It ensures that plugins remain secure and up-to-date, reducing the risk of bugs or vulnerabilities in journal installations.
Plum AnalyticsPlum Analytics plugin adds PlumX Metrics to article pages, including citations, usage, captures, mentions, and social media activity. This gives authors and editors a more comprehensive view of article reach and performance beyond traditional citation counts.
PorticoThe Portico plugin allows journals to export article and issue metadata for preservation in Portico, a digital preservation service. This helps safeguard scholarly content against loss due to system failure or obsolescence and ensures long-term accessibility in trusted archival networks.
Pragma ThemePragma Theme plugin offers a minimalist design inspired by classic journal tables of contents. It uses a bold monochrome palette and structured layout, making it suitable for academic publications that prefer a clean, typographic focus over graphic-heavy presentations.
Public Identifier ResolverThe Public Identifier Resolver plugin creates URLs that resolve DOIs, ARKs, or other public identifiers used within the journal. It facilitates metadata lookups and improves user navigation by allowing persistent links to specific issues, articles, and galleys.
Publons Reviewer RecognitionPublons Reviewer Recognition plugin integrates with Publons to allow reviewers to receive recognition for their peer review work. It helps journals support reviewer motivation and transparency by enabling seamless export of review activity to Publons profiles.
PubMed XML ExportPubMed XML Export plugin allows journals indexed in MEDLINE to export article metadata in the format required by PubMed. It supports structured XML output, helping biomedical journals comply with National Library of Medicine standards for metadata submission.
PURLThe PURL plugin supports assignment of Persistent Uniform Resource Locators (PURLs) to issues, articles, and galleys. It ensures stable, redirectable URLs that can withstand changes in web structure, maintaining access to digital resources over time.
QuickSubmitQuickSubmit plugin allows editors and journal managers to bypass the standard editorial workflow and directly submit articles to the system. It’s useful for importing legacy content, handling conference proceedings, or fast-tracking accepted articles into production.
Recommend Articles by AuthorRecommend Articles by Author plugin displays other articles from the same author(s) on the article view page. This encourages deeper engagement with a researcher's work and helps readers find related studies by the same contributor within the same journal.
Recommend Similar ArticlesRecommend Similar Articles plugin suggests related articles based on keywords, titles, or abstracts. Displayed on the article landing page, this helps readers discover more relevant content, increasing engagement and time spent on the journal site.
Registration NotificationRegistration Notification plugin sends configurable emails to designated addresses whenever a new user registers. This keeps editorial teams or site administrators informed about community growth and can help with user vetting and onboarding processes.
Research Organization Registry(ROR)The Research Organization Registry (ROR) plugin allows journals to fetch and associate institutional affiliations using the ROR database. When authors enter their institution, it offers auto-suggestions. This ensures consistency and accuracy in organizational metadata across submissions.
Returning Author ScreeningReturning Author Screening plugin is used mainly in OPS. It allows authors who have already published at least one submission to self-publish new work with less editorial intervention. It's helpful in preprint workflows where speed is prioritized for trusted contributors.
ReviewerCreditsReviewerCredits plugin integrates OJS with ReviewerCredits, a platform that certifies and quantifies peer review work. It helps reviewers receive recognition for their contributions and journals maintain a transparent and reward-based review system.
Review ReportReview Report plugin generates a downloadable CSV report listing review assignments. It includes reviewer names, completion status, dates, and recommendations. Useful for editorial audits, reviewer performance tracking, and transparency in the peer review process.
RFC1807 Metadata FormatRFC1807 Metadata Format plugin structures metadata using the RFC1807 format. This format was historically used in libraries and online services for describing technical documents. It enhances compatibility with systems that still rely on RFC1807 metadata schemas.
SciELO Submissions ReportSciELO Submissions Report plugin creates a report tailored to SciELO’s requirements. It exports submission data in a format expected by the SciELO indexing platform, which is widely used in Latin American and developing countries’ scholarly ecosystems.
Scopus/Crossref CitationsScopus/Crossref Citations plugin fetches and displays citations for a given article using Crossref, Scopus, and optionally Google Scholar or PubMed. This plugin enriches article pages with citation counts and links, boosting academic visibility and author prestige.
ShariffShariff plugin adds privacy-compliant social media sharing buttons to article and issue pages. Unlike traditional share buttons, Shariff prevents tracking until a user interacts, complying with data privacy laws like GDPR while enabling content dissemination.
ShibbolethShibboleth plugin integrates with Shibboleth Single Sign-On systems. It enables users from academic institutions to log in using their institutional credentials, streamlining access and improving integration in university environments with federated identity systems.
SitesearchSitesearch plugin enhances search capabilities across multi-journal installations by enabling site-wide search. It returns results from all hosted journals, not just the one where the query was submitted. Useful for portal-style publishing platforms or institutional repositories.
Subscription BlockThe Subscription Block plugin displays a sidebar box with subscription-related information. It's essential for subscription-based journals, informing users about access options, pricing, and how to subscribe. The block also includes links to subscription management and login pages.
Subscription SSOSubscription SSO plugin enables OJS to delegate subscription access validation to an external service. It’s ideal for institutions managing user access through external authentication systems, ensuring centralized control and smoother integration with university portals or consortia.
Subscriptions ReportSubscriptions Report plugin generates a detailed CSV export of all subscription records, including type, status, duration, and subscriber contact information. It is useful for accounting, renewal management, and maintaining up-to-date subscriber records.
Suggested Reviewers Plugin by Ubiquity Press (unvetted)Suggested Reviewers Plugin by Ubiquity Press allows authors to suggest or exclude reviewers during submission. This information is presented to editors during reviewer selection, improving efficiency and avoiding conflicts of interest. It enhances transparency and reviewer matching.
SushiLiteSushiLite plugin provides a lightweight implementation of the SUSHI protocol for automated statistics harvesting. It allows external systems to collect usage data from OJS in a standardized format, supporting COUNTER-compliant usage reporting environments.
SWORD DepositSWORD Deposit plugin lets OJS deposit published content into other repositories using the SWORD protocol. It is useful for automatic archiving or content dissemination into institutional or national repositories. Requires configuration with the target system.
Sword ServerSword Server plugin allows OJS to receive submissions from external systems using SWORD v2. This promotes interoperability between publishing platforms and content aggregators, enabling streamlined cross-platform submission and deposit workflows.
Text Editor ExtrasText Editor Extras plugin enhances the rich text editor with additional tools like image upload, HTML code view, and table insertion. This helps editors and authors format content more flexibly and with better visual presentation directly within OJS.
TextureTexture plugin integrates the Texture editor into OJS, enabling visual editing of JATS XML files. It’s ideal for journals managing XML-based publishing workflows and allows editors to correct or enhance structured article content in a user-friendly interface.
TinyMCETinyMCE plugin converts standard textareas into WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors. This allows users to apply formatting like bold, italics, lists, and links without needing to write HTML code, improving ease of content creation.
Title Page (unvetted)Title Page plugin (OPS only) generates a title page within PDF submissions that includes metadata such as author name, journal name, and posting date. It enhances the professionalism of preprints and ensures key information is visible in standalone documents.
Toggle Required MetadataToggle Required Metadata plugin lets journal managers decide whether contributor fields like affiliation and ORCID should be required. This adds flexibility for different submission requirements and helps maintain clean, complete metadata records.
Twitter BlockTwitter Block plugin embeds a Twitter feed or button into the sidebar, allowing journals to promote their official Twitter presence. It can enhance community engagement and offer real-time updates on new issues, calls for papers, or events.
URNURN plugin enables journals to assign Uniform Resource Names (URNs) to content. URNs are persistent identifiers similar to DOIs, often used by national libraries or institutions. This plugin supports content preservation and structured referencing.
Usage eventUsage event plugin creates system hooks to record specific user interactions as usage events. These events can then be processed by statistics tools, helping journals better understand reader behavior and content engagement patterns.
Usage StatisticsUsage Statistics plugin displays article view and download metrics as graphs on article pages. It visualizes interest over time and can motivate authors by showing how widely their work is read. Admins can also track which content performs best.
Users XMLUsers XML plugin supports the export and import of user accounts and roles in XML format. It's essential for migrating users between OJS instances or creating backups of user data for onboarding or institutional integration.
View ReportView Report plugin provides a CSV report detailing article views and downloads, broken down by file type and location. It's helpful for analyzing content performance and making editorial decisions based on reader interest.
Web Feed PluginWeb Feed Plugin generates RSS and Atom feeds for the latest journal content. This supports syndication and allows readers to stay updated on new publications using feed readers or news aggregators.

The post Comprehensive List of OJS Plugins first appeared on OPEN JOURNAL SYSTEM SERVICES.

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