How arXiv’s Two-Paper Monthly Cap Will Restrict AI Submission Floods
Starting October 2026, arXiv limits authors to two submissions monthly to stop AI-generated papers from overwhelming volunteer moderators.
Key points
- arXiv will enforce a limit of two submissions per person per month starting in October 2026.
- Monthly submissions have doubled over the last two years, with cs.AI category growth exceeding sixfold.
- A small fraction of authors are flooding the platform with low-quality papers, straining volunteer moderation.
arXiv announced a new submission cap that will take effect in October 2026. The preprint server will restrict each author to a maximum of two submissions per month. This policy change aims to address the surge in low-quality papers generated by artificial intelligence tools. According to arXiv, these automated submissions are overwhelming the capacity of its volunteer moderation team.
Why is arXiv implementing a submission limit now?
The decision follows a sharp increase in submission volume that has strained the platform’s resources. Monthly submissions on arXiv have doubled within the last two years. The growth is particularly pronounced in the computer science artificial intelligence category, where submissions have increased more than sixfold. This rapid expansion has made it difficult for the existing moderation infrastructure to maintain quality standards.
What specific problem does the cap address?
The primary issue is not the total volume of legitimate research, but the behavior of a small group of authors. According to arXiv, a small fraction of users are flooding the platform with low-quality papers. These submissions are largely generated by AI tools rather than representing original human research. The influx of these automated documents overwhelms the volunteer moderators who review and categorize the content.
How will the new policy function?
Starting in October 2026, the limit will be strictly enforced at the individual level. Each person registered with arXiv will be allowed to submit no more than two papers per calendar month. This per-person cap applies regardless of the category or the number of co-authors on a single paper. The measure is designed to slow the rate of AI-generated content while preserving access for regular researchers.
What does this mean for software developers?
Developers who rely on arXiv for the latest AI research may see a slower flow of new papers. However, the quality of available content should improve as low-effort submissions are reduced. Researchers must plan their publication schedules more carefully to fit within the two-paper monthly limit. The change does not affect existing papers or the ability to read and download content from the archive.
What to do and how to stay safe: arXiv
- Review your current arXiv submission schedule to ensure compliance with the upcoming two-paper monthly limit.
- Prioritize high-quality, original research for submission to maximize the value of your limited slots.
- Monitor arXiv’s official announcements for any further details on enforcement or category-specific rules.
- Consider alternative preprint servers or journals if your research volume exceeds the new monthly cap.
Step-by-step guide: How AI Risk Management Works: The Hidden Failure Points
General security guidance from the Sandbox Dispatch newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
When does the arXiv submission cap start?
The cap will take effect in October 2026.
How many papers can I submit per month?
Authors are limited to two submissions per person per month.
Which category has seen the most growth?
The cs.AI category has seen more than a sixfold increase in submissions.
