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Six Frequently Asked Questions About Qualification and Reporting of Digital Circulation for Magazines

As magazines begin to increasingly integrate print and online content, ABC has seen an upward shift in the number of magazines reporting digital editions.

Below are the six most frequently asked questions related to the reporting and qualification of digital circulation:

1. Must digital circulation be paid circulation or can it be verified or analyzed non-paid?

Digital circulation is not required to be paid circulation. It could be verified or analyzed non-paid, provided the recipient has made a direct request for the digital edition. If a direct request for the magazine has not been made (whether paid or not), the circulation will not qualify for ABC reporting.

2. What are the guidelines for required content of the digital edition?

When downloading or viewing the digital edition, the format needs to be displayed in a fashion that is consistent in content and layout with the print edition. The format must also be created to provide its readers the same opportunity to review advertising as its print edition.

3. What do I need to report in Paragraph 1?

Paragraph 1 must report print and digital circulation separately in applicable categories of circulation (subscriptions, verified, or single copy). Circulation reported as average paid in Paragraph 1 must be net of duplications.

4. Where do I report information on the service of duplicated subscribers?

Information regarding the service of duplicated subscribers appears in Paragraph 9.

5. Who falls into the category of duplicated subscribers?

Duplicated subscribers are those subscribers that are recipients of both the print and digital editions of the magazine. As Paragraph 1 reports net circulation, the explanatory makes a claim as to how many subscribers of print are also subscribers of the digital edition.

6. I’d like to convert my print subscribers to digital. What do I need to do?

Publishers considering converting existing print subscribers to digital service must provide an “opt-in” option to subscribers. Only those who respond positively to the opt-in can be converted to digital delivery.

For more information on digital editions, contact your Publisher Relations manager

Related Links:
Complete List of Guidelines for Qualification and Reporting of Digital Circulation
Prototype for Reporting Digital Circulation (PDF)

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