How does SSRN’s classification and distribution process work?

These are just some of benefits of the SSRN classification process:

• There is no fee for submitting abstracts or papers for inclusion in the SSRN corpus or for distribution via email alerts.
• Authors can self-classify by choosing the subject matter classifications themselves.
• Classifications help with faster posting and improve discoverability by aligning your work with the right audience. Authors can select at least one classification, up to a maximum of seven.

Tips for choosing classifications:

• Choose a primary topic that best matches the paper’s main focus.
• Add 2–3 secondary topics that fit the paper’s scope, methods, or related fields.
• Be specific but accurate; avoid overly broad classifications unless they truly apply.
• If your paper spans multiple disciplines (e.g., law and economics), consider classifications in all relevant areas.

In Step 4 of the submission form, you have several options to choose from when it comes to selecting the appropriate classification for your paper.

• Choose from existing classifications. If you have previously submitted papers and those papers are posted on SSRN, the classifications associated with those papers will be displayed. Select the previous classification that best matches the new submission.
• Search on topics by typing in keywords. Hover over the classification in the list to see a brief description of the topic to ensure appropriateness for your work.
• Browse the classification tree to find the most relevant topic(s) for your research. Use the drop-down under each discipline to navigate to a suitable network and topic.

• If you select a classification within the relevant Social Sciences discipline, a section for JEL Codes will appear at the bottom of Step 4. Type in the JEL Code appropriate for your research and hit enter after each JEL Code.
• The JEL Code section in the submission form is completely optional and does not impact distribution.
• JEL codes are an additional avenue by which to browse the site:  Browse JEL Classification Codes :: SSRN.

• Inclusion is curated and targeted, not guaranteed for every paper. It depends on the paper’s relevance to the subscribers’ selected fields and the editors’ curation decisions.
• The paper must be part of the worldwide scholarly discourse in the field covered by the topic of the email alert and written within one year.

On the My Papers page, the Status column will change from 'Approved' to 'Distributed' once your paper is scheduled for distribution.

The announcement date depends on the distribution schedule and the number of submissions in the distribution queue for the relevant topic. 

SSRN aims to distribute content in the email alerts as quickly as possible, but some popular topics with a high volume of submissions may take up to 45 days.