PurposeThis study examines the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) within the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) context, using a comprehensive scientometric analysis to map the evolution of IoT adoption.Design/methodology/approachUtilising data sourced from Scopus and analysed through CiteSpace, this research encompasses documents from 2018 to early 2024. It employs a two-phase analysis methodology, starting with a descriptive exploration of publication trends that provides an overview of the IoT adoption field by presenting yearly publication statistics. The second phase of the study encompasses a detailed scientometric analysis, including co-citation and burst analysis.FindingsThe research underscores significant growth in IoT adoption studies and their broadening impact across various sectors. Key advancements include addressing security challenges, integrating IoT with emerging technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) and applying these in critical areas such as agriculture and healthcare.Practical implicationsThis article is a valuable resource for stakeholders in the digital ecosystem – including policymakers, educational institutions and industry leaders – engaged with IoT adoption in the context of the 4IR .Originality/valueThis article contributes to the literature by providing a scientometric analysis that charts the development of IoT adoption research within the framework of the fourth industrial revolution, presenting a unique perspective on its integration with other cutting-edge technologies.