What do you mean? H-index applies to individual researchers. All nature journals have high impact factors - and readership among hard scientists, but i dont think ML researchers read Nature every month. I understand that some reserachers need the prestige factor. But honestly , in the case of deep mind, i think they are giving prestige to Nature as an ML journal, where they previously had none. They could have published their results in a reputable open access journal like eLife instead, and do a service to the open access community. Publishing closed access is not a great direction to move towards. Also, why didn't they pay for Nature's open access option, it's not like they don't have the money.

> What do you mean? H-index applies to individual researchers.

H-index is also applied and calculated to publications (Journal h-index). IMHO It fits better to the multidisciplinary nature of the journals than other impact factors.

>some reserachers need the prestige factor. But

In academia things like Nobel price, Abel price, Turing price are signals of significance for those not in the field. They are usually received very late in career.

If you have several publications in Nature, the prestige level approaches those awards and you get the prestige when you are still active researcher. You get tenure or funding for research group. The value can be measured in millions.

i think nobel winners get more nature publications post-nobel than before