Heliyon Impact Factor – Key Metrics and Journal Overview

Heliyon Impact Factor in 2024 – 3.6 (updated in June 2025).

Scimago Journal Rank (SJR)

Heliyon has achieved a Scimago Journal Rank (SJR) of 0.644 for 2024, placing it in the Q1 quartile for multidisciplinary sciences (scimagojr.com). This indicates a high level of scientific influence and prestige within its field (research.com).

Heliyon Journal Scope

The journal covers a wide range of scientific disciplines, including:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Medicine
• Environmental science

Its open-access model ensures research findings are freely available to the global scientific community, promoting knowledge dissemination and innovation.

Is Heliyon Considered a Good Journal?

Yes, ​Heliyon is widely indexed and respected​, though it doesn’t carry the prestige of top-tier selective titles. It follows a fully open-access model under Elsevier, which attracts a large volume of submissions from all over the world.

For researchers in biomedical sciences, its reputation is solid but not elite. The broad scope — covering life sciences, physical sciences, health sciences, and more — sometimes makes it less focused than field-specific journals. Yet, its rigorous peer review and transparent editorial policies have helped it avoid being labeled as predatory, even though some skeptics occasionally question mega-journals with high acceptance rates.

Is Heliyon a Predatory Journal?

No. Heliyon is ​published by Elsevier​, one of the largest academic publishers, and it is ​indexed in major databases​, which is a key marker of legitimacy. Predatory journals typically lack indexing in Web of Science or Scopus and avoid rigorous peer review. Heliyon, in contrast, uses editorial boards across disciplines and maintains COPE membership to ensure ethical publishing practices.

Why Does the Impact Factor Fluctuate?

Impact factors are not static. They depend on two main variables:

• Number of citable articles published
• Number of citations those articles receive in a given window

Heliyon publishes a ​**large number of papers per year (over 7,000 in 2023 alone)**​, which means a few low-cited articles can quickly lower the average. Conversely, if certain topics — like COVID-19 research in 2020 — receive rapid citations, the metric can spike.

Therefore, ​impact factor should not be the only criterion for evaluating a journal​. Metrics like ​CiteScore (4.2 in 2024)​, ​SNIP​, or SJR ranking provide additional perspective.

Final Thoughts for Authors

If you need rapid open-access publication, global visibility, and indexing in all major databases, Heliyon is a reasonable choice. But if you’re targeting ​niche recognition or high impact​, specialized journals with lower acceptance rates may serve better.

Before submitting, always check:

• The journal scope (Heliyon accepts multidisciplinary research)
• The review timeline (average 8–10 weeks)
• APC budget
• Citation goals (do you need IF >5?)

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FAQs

What is the Heliyon impact factor in 2024?

3.6 (updated in June 2025)

Is Heliyon considered a predatory journal?

No. It’s published by ​Elsevier​, follows COPE guidelines, and is indexed in major databases.

Disclaimer:
This AI-assisted content is intended for academic reference and informational purposes only. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, journal metrics (such as Impact Factor and APC fees) are subject to official annual updates. Users should verify the latest data via official platforms before making submission or citation decisions. This content does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions. All risks arising from reliance on this content are borne by the user, and the publisher assumes no responsibility for any decisions or actions taken.