Research on Research Visibility

TL;DR

This paper discusses the importance of research visibility in the digital age, emphasizing the role of search engines and the need for rigorous research in academic search engine optimization to enhance scholarly impact.

Contribution

It highlights the emerging field of academic search engine optimization and calls for standardized methodologies and multidisciplinary dialogue to improve research visibility.

Findings

Research visibility is crucial for scholarly impact.

A-SEO is an emerging field with significant challenges.

Standardization and rigorous methods are needed in A-SEO.

Abstract

This editorial explores the significance of research visibility within the evolving landscape of academic communication, mainly focusing on the role of search engines as online meta-markets shaping the impact of research. With the rapid expansion of scientific output and the increasing reliance on algorithm-driven platforms such as Google and Google Scholar, the online visibility of scholarly work has become an essential factor in determining its reach and influence. The need for more rigorous research into academic search engine optimization (A-SEO), a field still in its infancy despite its growing relevance, is also discussed, highlighting key challenges in the field, including the lack of robust research methodologies, the skepticism within the academic community regarding the commercialization of science, and the need for standardization in reporting and measurement techniques. This editorial thus invites a multidisciplinary dialogue on the future of research visibility, with significant implications for academic publishing, science communication, research evaluation, and the global scientific ecosystem.