Are Latin-American repositories invisible on Google and Google Scholar?

Abstract

In this issue, not without some embarrassment, we digest a contribution from our own. The main objective of this study is to ascertain the presence and visibility of Latin American repositories in Google and Google Scholar through the application of page count and visibility indicators. For a sample of 127 repositories, the results indicate that the indexing ratio is low in Google, and virtually non-existent in Google Scholar. A complete lack of correspondence between the repository records and the data produced by these two search tools are indicated as well. These results are mainly attributable to limitations arising from the use of description schemas that are incompatible with Google Scholar (repository design) and the reliability of web indicators (search engines). We conclude that neither Google nor Google Scholar accurately represent the actual size of open access content published by Latin American repositories; this may indicate a non-indexed, hidden side to OA, which could be limiting the dissemination and consumption of open access scholarly literature.