Background: In the era of digitization, academic journals face the challenge of transforming from content providers to knowledge service providers. Academic journals play an important role in promoting scholarly communication and popularizing scientific knowledge. Methods: This paper reports a multicase study of four leading Chinese academic journals in science. Through in-depth interviews and content analysis, we investigated their practices and strategies for enhancing knowledge services. Results: Successful journals employ these approaches: (1) content customization, requiring a clear definition of target audiences and tailored service portfolios; (2) cultivation of authors to build professional communities that sustain scholarly excellence; and (3) development of integrated academic platforms to facilitate knowledge exchange. However, challenges still exist, including limited technical capacities, resource allocation imbalances, and traditional editorial mindsets. Conclusion: This research provides actionable insights for academic publishers seeking to enhance their knowledge service capabilities, including embracing digital transformation, adopting user-centric service models, and redefining the role of editors as knowledge curators rather than gatekeepers.

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