Publishing metrics are a category of data employed within publishing environments, and serve various purposes, including:
FOR RESEARCHERS - Metrics are useful for:
FOR READERS: Metrics are useful for:
FOR LIBRARIANS: Metrics are useful for:
Source: Taylor & Francis https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/publishing-your-research/choosing-a-journal/journal-metrics/
PUBLISHERS WARN ABOUT THE LIMITATIONS OF METRICS
Publishers advise that metrics should not be used singularly ie without regard to other information sources
They recommend a "best approach" of employing a number of metrics
They also emphasise the value of employing qualitative approaches:
Source: Taylor & Francis Author Services n.d. "Guide to Understanding Journal Metrics"
https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/publishing-your-research/choosing-a-journal/journal-metrics