arXiv moderator explains the four main reasons papers get put on hold
tdietterich · x · 2026-10-31
Thomas Dietterich, an arXiv moderator, explained the main reasons papers get placed on hold:
- The author's chosen primary category gets a low score from arXiv's category classifier, so a predicted category is proposed and the paper is held;
- A moderator proposes a different primary category;
- The submission fails policy checks — class projects, proposals, surveys, position papers, etc.;
- First-time single-author independent researchers.
This came after researcher Amr Sobhy complained that nearly every submission (at least his own) gets held, takes months to clear, and that this defeats the point of preprints without more transparency.
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