The Audit Bureau of Circulations has agreed that publishers can report digital editions on their existing ABC print certificates from July.
Under the new rules, digital editions can be reported separately on the print certificate, but cannot be added to the average net circulation figure.
The rules include four principles that govern the digital auditing:
Opting in: all digital edition copies claimed must be ‘opted in’, that is, the individual subscriber must have personally requested the copy
Entitlement to copy: the audit will prove entitlement of the subscriber for the publication, that is, verifying the paid subscription or free request documentation
Availability of copy: the ABC will check during the audit period that the correct publication and issue was available for download or view
Notification of copy (some categories of free copies only): the audit will include verification of notification to the subscriber of the availability of a new digital edition.
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