Academia.edu emails claim someone mentioned me—how can I verify if it's true?

Academia.edu’s notification emails about mentions are often automated engagement prompts rather than genuine tags from other users.

To verify, log into your account, go to the Notifications tab, and check whether there is an actual mention linked to a paper or comment; if nothing appears, the email was likely just marketing.

Their help center notes that only interactions visible in your activity feed—such as comments, profile follows, or paper discussions—are authentic.

If you still suspect misuse, you can forward the email to [email protected] or check the message headers for authenticity, while also tightening your email preferences under Settings → Email Preferences.

If none of the above solutions work, please feel free to share your experience. You can also file a complaint on our website.