Can you cite a Google Scholar ranking (e.g., top 1% in your field)?

Yes, you can. In the EB-1, a strong position on Google Scholar can serve as one indicator that your work has impact and relevance in your field. It helps tell the story of your recognition, but it rarely supports a petition on its own.

Context is everything. A citation or visibility ranking tends to carry weight when it comes alongside evidence that confirms the same thing from multiple angles, demonstrating consistent leadership and accomplishments, not just a standalone number.

To strengthen this type of evidence, it usually helps to combine it with:

• Publications in relevant outlets in your field.
• Citations and use of your work by other researchers.
• Awards, invitations, and activity as a reviewer or evaluator.

Keep in mind that platform metrics change and are only part of the picture, so avoid treating them as definitive proof. Since each case is evaluated individually, the best approach is to review the current guidance from USCIS and organize your full package with a specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.