Definition of Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC)

independent nonprofit auditing organization formed in 1914 whose membership is composed of advertisers, advertising agencies, and publishers of newspapers, magazines, and web sites that sell advertising space. Its purpose is to audit and validate print media circulation claims and Internet traffic figures for the benefit of its members. Relied upon as a principal information source by media planners, the bureau publishes annual Audit Reports that detail the findings of its auditors as well as semiannual Publisher's Statements. ABC can be found at www.accessabc.com.