Magazine circulation facts for kids

A magazine's circulation is the total number of copies that a magazine usually prints and sends out for each new issue. Think of it as how many magazines are distributed to readers. This number is really important because it helps magazines decide how much money they will charge businesses to place advertisements in their pages.

Circulation isn't always the same as the number of copies sold. Sometimes, magazines are given away for free, especially those about business or professional topics. When we talk about "paid circulation," that means only the copies that were actually bought by readers.

Another important number is "readership." This is how many people actually read an issue. It's usually higher than the circulation number because many magazines are read by more than one person, like when a magazine is shared with family or friends.

In many countries, companies that don't work for the magazine, like the Audit Bureau of Circulations, check these circulation numbers. They make sure that the numbers a publisher gives to advertisers are correct and honest. This helps everyone trust the information.

Understanding Magazine Circulation

What is Circulation?

Circulation is simply the count of how many copies of a magazine are printed and sent out. This includes copies sold in stores, subscriptions sent to homes, and even free copies given away. It's a key number for anyone involved in the magazine business.

Why Circulation Matters for Ads

Magazines earn a lot of their money from advertisements. Businesses want to show their products or services to as many people as possible. The higher a magazine's circulation, the more people are likely to see the ads. This means the magazine can charge more for ad space, which helps them make more money.

Paid Circulation vs. Free Copies

Not every magazine copy is sold. Some magazines, especially those for specific industries or professions, are sent out for free to targeted readers. This is different from "paid circulation," which only counts the copies that readers actually buy. Both types of circulation are important, but advertisers often look closely at paid circulation to see how many people are willing to pay for the content.

Readership: More Than Just Copies

While circulation counts the copies, "readership" tries to figure out how many different people actually read those copies. It's common for one magazine copy to be read by several people. For example, a magazine in a waiting room or a copy shared at home will have a higher readership than its circulation. This means ads in that magazine might reach even more eyes than the circulation number suggests.

Checking the Numbers: Audits

To make sure that circulation numbers are fair and accurate, independent groups often check them. Organizations like the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) look at a magazine's records to confirm how many copies are truly distributed. This helps advertisers feel confident that they are getting what they pay for when they place an ad. It builds trust in the magazine industry.

Images for kids

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  Part of a newspaper print circulation

See also

In Spanish: Tirada (impresión) para niños