Objective To analyze the submission information needs of users on online platforms and propose service improvement strategies for nursing journals based on user needs. Methods A total of 34,598 discussion posts related to nursing journal submissions were scraped from various online communities platforms. Grounded theory coding was adopted to obtain the conceptual categories and logical relationships of users′ submission information needs. The current situation of journal information notification services was explored from two aspects:journal submission information disclosure and completeness. Results Users′ submission information needs covered 3 themes of submission inquiry, inquiry about manuscript status in review, and publication inquiry, as well as 12 demand dimensions. The minimum degree of information provision for the 12 demand dimensions by 11 nursing journals was 18.18%, and the information completeness provided ranges from 36.36% to 78.79%. Conclusion The submission information contents supplied by the 11 nursing journals does not adequately match the demand of users. Journals should start from user needs, improve information notifications such as submission guidelines, and play their role as main body of information suppliers to relieve users′ urgent needs for journal information.