How to Suggest Reviewers for My Paper

If a journal asks how to suggest reviewers for my paper, the best approach is to treat it as a routine part of submission, not a way to influence the outcome. Author-suggested reviewers can help editors find qualified experts, but only when you follow the journal’s rules and avoid conflicts of interest. The goal is to help the editorial office identify knowledgeable, independent reviewers who can assess your work fairly.

Why Journals Ask for Suggestions

The main reason journals request reviewer suggestions is simple: expertise. Editors often need help finding scholars who understand a narrow topic, a specific method, or a specialized dataset. A suggested list can save time and make it easier to locate reviewers with the right background.

This is an administrative step, not a shortcut around peer review. Journals still vet suggested names, check for conflicts, and make the final decision themselves. Some publishers have also tightened their policies after concerns about fake reviewer identities and other forms of manipulation. For example, Taylor & Francis explains the ethics of peer review and why some systems limit preferred reviewer options to protect integrity.

Before you prepare a list, check the journal’s instructions carefully. Some journals welcome suggestions, some limit them, and some do not allow them at all.

How to Suggest Reviewers Ethically

When you suggest reviewers, focus on fit, independence, and transparency.

Prioritize expertise over prestige
Choose people who publish in the exact area your paper covers. A well-known researcher who works outside your topic is less helpful than someone who understands the method, theory, or subfield in detail.

Include a balanced mix
If the journal allows multiple suggestions, choose reviewers from different institutions or regions when appropriate. That makes the list more useful and reduces the impression that you are drawing from a small private circle.

Avoid conflicts of interest
Do not suggest:

• current or recent co-authors
• close friends or collaborators
• former mentors or students
• colleagues from your institution
• anyone with a personal or financial stake in the paper

Editors often screen for these relationships, so it is important to be conservative here.

What the Evidence Says About Author-Suggested Reviewers

Research has raised concerns that author-suggested reviewers may sometimes be more favorable than editors expect, which is why journals monitor the practice closely. AIP Publishing has also reported differences in outcomes across journals that used author-suggested reviewers, reinforcing the need for editorial review and policy safeguards.

That does not mean you should avoid suggesting reviewers altogether. It means the list should be built to help the editor find qualified, independent experts, not to steer the result. Editors do not rely on suggestions blindly; they evaluate each name, look for expertise, and check whether the reviewer is appropriate for the manuscript.

What to Avoid When Recommending Reviewers

A few mistakes can create ethical problems or slow your submission.

Do not contact suggested reviewers yourself
The suggestion is for the editor, not for direct outreach. Contacting someone in advance can look like an attempt to influence the process.

Do not provide fake or unusual contact details
Using invented email addresses or aliases is a serious breach of research integrity and can lead to rejection or broader consequences.

Do not reuse the same list for every paper
Each manuscript should have a reviewer list tailored to its topic. Repeating the same names over and over can make the process look mechanical or strategic rather than thoughtful.

Do not assume suggestions guarantee speed or acceptance
A reviewer suggestion may help the editor find suitable experts more quickly, but it does not promise a faster decision or a positive outcome.

Final Thoughts

The ethics of reviewer suggestions come down to one principle: help the editor find a real expert, and avoid trying to shape the result. If you follow the journal’s rules, choose independent reviewers, and stay away from conflicts of interest, suggesting reviewers can be a normal and useful part of the submission process.

If you need help keeping track of manuscripts, reviewer names, and journal instructions, use a workflow system that keeps your submission materials organized.