To explore a way to construct preprint platforms applicable to the field of humanities and social sciences, this study, relying on Information Center for Social Sciences of Renmin University of China, conducted a questionnaire survey for scholars of humanities and social sciences in China to analyze the cognitive characteristics, usage, and main demands of preprint platforms by them. The study found that scholars of humanities and social sciences in China have some worries about preprint platforms, and their cognition and usage of preprint platforms are low and structurally different; they tend to use platforms with high visibility and professionalism; in terms of the willingness to use preprint platforms, the majority of them hold positive or uncertain attitudes; and their demands for preprint platforms mainly include journals recommendation, rapid publication, copyright protection, and recognition of academic evaluation systems. Based on the above, the following suggestions are put forward: comprehensively apply the two-way strategy of “top-down” and “bottom-up” to promote the construction of the recognition policy system of preprints; focus on improving the cognition of preprints of senior scholars of humanities and social sciences; promote the use of preprint platforms with economics and management as the forerunner; strengthen the synergy between the preprint platforms and journals in the scholarly communication system.