arXiv announced an updated rate limiting policy effective October 1, 2026, in response to a significant increase in submissions. The policy aims to manage the growing volume of submissions, particularly those generated with advanced AI tools, which have led to a rise in low-quality papers. Previously, arXiv received 9,869 submissions in September 2016, which increased to 20,569 in September 2024, and reached 40,363 submissions in September 2026. This surge has resulted in nearly 9,000 support tickets for staff and moderators.
To address these challenges, arXiv will limit authors to two submissions per calendar month and a maximum of three active submissions at any time. This measure is intended to ensure fair distribution of volunteer moderators' time and maintain the quality of submissions. The policy update reflects arXiv's ongoing commitment to uphold scholarly standards and encourage authors to submit their best work. arXiv will continue to monitor the impact of this policy on the community and make adjustments as necessary.