[1] It is classified a gamma-ray emitting narrow-line Seyfert galaxy,[2][3] the nearest known example of this subtype.

In 1993, the source was confirmed as a Seyfert type 1 galaxy by Remillard and colleagues, who identified several emission-line AGNs from a further HEAO-1 X-ray survey.

The most likely explanation for this energy source in all active galactic nuclei is a presence of an accretion disk around a supermassive black hole.

[11] Additionally, the nucleus shows a quasi-stationary feature similar to a HST-1 structure inside the jet of Messier 87.

[10] 1H 0323+342 shows some characteristics of blazars, including variable fluxes in optical, radio and X-ray bands as well as a compact bright core.