The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) was founded by ISBA (Society of British Advertisers) on 14 October 1931 to provide independently verified data of circulation and data figures of consumer magazines and newspapers. The data is used by publishers of newspapers and magazines, advertisers and advertising agencies to plan, buy and sell advertising space in the print media.

The ABC is a non profit organization owned by the media industry and has, among others, the IPA, PPA, NS and NPA as its members. It is governed by a council of permanent and elected representatives from advertisers, advertising agencies, media owners and their representative trade bodies.

In 1996 ABC established its online media arm by the name of ABCe to deliver electronic media audits to accepted industry standards.

It is important to point out that ABC only provides historical data but does not provide any analysis on the figures. Media owners and subscribers can interpret data as per their requirements.

Markets served by the Audit Bureau of Circulations

The markets served by ABC are:

Business to Business
• Business magazines and professional journals
• Directories and annuals
• Consumer exhibitions
• Databases and lists
• Trade exhibitions
• Group product report

Newspapers & Consumer Magazines
• National newspapers
• Regional (paid) newspapers
• Consumer magazines
• ABC bulk distribution
• VFD Free distribution newspapers
• VFD Bulk verified services (BVS)
• VFD Directories
• VFD Community Publications
• World Regional and International Newspapers
• Group product report

ABCe (Established in 1996, ABCe delivers electronic media audits to agreed industry standards)
• Website server audits
• Ad server audits
• Site traffic counting and analysis
• WAP
• ITV
• Email
• Group product report

Frequency of audits

While national newspapers are audited every month, consumer magazines are audited 6 monthly or annually the cycle being June and December. The figures are publicized in February and August.

ABC Membership

Membership to ABC is open to advertisers, advertising agencies and media owners and is subject to ratification by the ABC Council and also a completion of a satisfactory ABC audit for their product.

Membership can be taken based on the following sectors:

• Advertisers
• Advertising Agencies
• Bulk Distribution Newspapers and Magazines
• Business Directories and Annuals
• Business to Business Magazines
• Consumer Exhibitions
• Consumer Magazines
• List/Databases
• National Newspapers
• Regional Paid Newspapers
• Regional Free Newspapers
• Trade Exhibitions
• International Publications

Data subscribers to the ABC

There are two types of data subscribers to the ABC, online subscribers and information subscribers.

Online subscribers can buy data online and also receive various reports provided by the Bureau.

Information subscribers, on the other hand, constitute members such as investment banks and other financial organizations, information providers or those who offer essential services to the media industry.

Subscribers can also sign up for the eAlerts service provided by ABC. As a subscriber, you would get notifications of newly issued certificates, audit reports, changes in membership status of ABC registered titles and exhibitions, notification of resolved complaints and details of any exclusion notices issued by ABC .

You also have the choice of receiving eAlerts on daily, weekly or monthly basis. You can also customize your requirements based on whether you want updates on National Newspapers, Regional Paid Newspapers, Regional Free Newspapers (VFD), Consumer and Business Magazines, Consumer and Business Exhibitions, ABC Bulk Distribution and International Publications. You can also make your choice by specifying the media sector, industry classification, publisher and title for which you want the updates or reports.

There are firm laws that bind the media owners and subscribers as to how they publicize the information provided by ABC and also how they use the ABC logo to ensure that the Bureau's neutrality and transparency are maintained. In case of any disputes, the member concerned is requested to reply to the charge after which a full-fledged investigation is carried out.

Reports provided by the ABC

As a subscriber you can get access to ABC reports on ABC bulk distribution, consumer magazines, business magazines, business magazines demographics, national newspapers, regional newspapers, consumer exhibitions, trade exhibitions, international publications, multi-platform and historic group product reports. You can get both current and archived reports of ABC.