Frequently asked questions

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  • What are ABC and ABCe?
    ABC is the industry-owned organisation which independently verifies and reports on media performance, providing a major trading currency for media buyers and owners across print, events, digital and evolving platforms.
    More information on the role of ABC
  • What does ABC measure?
    ABC provides circulation, distribution, attendance, traffic and related data across a broad range of media platforms including:
    newspapers
    magazines
    exhibitions
    web
    email
    and a wide range of digital properties including adservers, video and audio streams, podcasts etc.
  • What is the benefit of becoming a member of ABC?
    As a media owner you will be able to provide your advertisers with independently verified information of your media performance.
    As an advertiser or media buyer you will be able to have confidence and trust in the data you use to make placement decisions.
    More information on member benefits and joining
  • How do you measure online media?
    There are two ways to measure web traffic.  Research uses a sample-based approach.  ABCe uses a census-based approach which counts requests made by devices to a site.  This means ABCe data measures total site activity, from any device, at any location and for any level of detail.  All ABCe data is prepared to industry-agreed standards as agreed by JICWEBS. Unique User/Browser is the current industry-agreed mandatory web traffic metric as agreed by JICWEBS.
    More information on web measurement and metrics
  • Who owns ABC?
    Our members do! ABC is run by the media industry.  It is governed by a Council of permanent and elected representatives from advertisers, media buyers, media owners and trade bodies.  The Council makes decisions on how ABC is run as well as agreeing any changes to the Reporting Standards and fee charges. Industry trade associations present on the ABC Council are: ISBA, IPA, NPA, NS, PPA
    More information on ABC Council
  • What is ABC's role within the media industry?
    ABC has two roles within the media industry.  Firstly it sets and maintains the Reporting Standards via the co-ordination of the Reporting Standards Groups.  Secondly it audits to check that the data is compliant to these industry-agreed standards.  The Reporting Standards are the industry-agreed rules by which ABC data is prepared and reported. 
    More information on Reporting Standards
  • Does ABC audit international media?
    ABC verifies print media in the UK and Ireland. Selected international and world regional publications are also verified. All online media can be verified regardless of country of origin.  ABC is a founder member of the International Federation of ABCs (IFABC) which forms a global network of audit bureaux from 36 countries around the world. For a list of audit bureaux in other countries please visit www.ifabc.org
  • How much does it cost to join ABC?
    ABC membership costs less than you think! Fees are dependent on the industry sector and are approved by the industry representatives for that sector.
    List of fee sheets
  • How do I access an ABC or ABCe Certificate?
    All ABC and ABCe data is issued on a Certificate. All ABC and ABCe Certificates can be found in the data area on this website.  A full breakdown of circulation or traffic data can be found on a certificate as well as demographic information in some cases.  In addition to issuing certificates, ABC also publishes data reports for various sectors. Non-members can only access the latest published Certificate for a given product (including the current certificate) by typing the name of the product into the search box at the top of each page.  Members and paid subscribers can access historical data and reports via the browse data area at the top left of each page.

  • When are ABC reports released?
    National newspaper reports, multi-platform reports for national newspapers and ABC bulk (free newspaper pick up) reports are issued monthly. Consumer magazine, Regional publications and Irish media data is issued concurrently twice a year. B2B magazine and online data is released on certificates throughout the year.
    Report release dates and links to the reports
 

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