Preprint solicitation as a natural experiment in scholarly publishing

Editor-driven preprint solicitation at Proceedings B is linked to nearly twice the acceptance rate of solicited manuscripts versus traditional submissions, alongside higher post-publication downloads and citations.

• Why it matters: The relationship between preprinting practices and formal peer-reviewed publication is an open question, limiting evidence on whether solicitation can improve outcomes without sacrificing standards.
• What they did: Using submission records for 15,368 manuscripts from 2018–2024, the study compared solicited preprints with traditionally submitted manuscripts on acceptance, journal scope, author geographic diversity, and post-publication uptake.
• The result: Solicited manuscripts had more downloads and citations after publication, marginally greater subject diversity, and acceptance-rate gaps across regions narrowed, suggesting a replicable model for increasing visibility and geographic representation.