This document summarizes the results of a survey about usage trends of Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) company directories. 53% of respondents were frequent users of D&B directories. 60% used Hoover's to access D&B information and 40% used multiple sources. Over 80% used or were considering alternatives like ReferenceUSA/InfoUSA, LexisNexis, and OneSource. 18% of respondents used Dialog for D&B directories and 83% of Dialog users planned to switch to alternatives like Hoover's once Dialog discontinued their D&B files at the end of 2013.

1. D&B For Research:
2013 Usage Trends
Marcy Phelps
Phelps Research
July 2013
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2. Background
Dialog is discontinuing their D&B company
directory files at the end of 2013.
To learn more about alternatives for accessing this
type of content, I conducted a brief survey of
business researchers and librarians.
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3. About the survey
̶ Anonymous survey of those who have used D&B
directories for research within the past two years.
̶ Survey link sent to BUSLIB-L, SLA-BF, and AIIP-L
email discussion lists.
̶ 81 responses
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4. Summary
53% are frequent D&B users (Monthly, Weekly or
more).
60% use Hoover’s to access D&B information, and
40% use more than one source for D&B.
Over 80% use or are considering alternatives to D&B.
The top three alternatives include
ReferenceUSA/InfoUSA, LexisNexis, and OneSource.
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5. Dialog users
18% use Dialog for D&B.
83% of Dialog users will find another source once
Dialog discontinues these files.
Half the Dialog users were unsure of what they will
use, and 40% plan to switch to Hoover’s.
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6. D&B usage breakdown
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7. D&B company directories are used for:
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Multiple responses allowed

8. D&B directory alternatives
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Multiple responses allowed

9. D&B accessed through:
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Multiple responses allowed

10. Dialog alternatives
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11. Survey questions
̶ Have you used D&B company directories for research within the past
two years? (if answer is no, survey is ended)
̶ How often did you use D&B directories for research in the past 2
years?
̶ For what types of research questions have you used D&B company
directories?
̶ After using D&B directories for research, have you used or considered
using an alternative company directory?
̶ How did you access the D&B directories? (Check all that apply)
̶ Dialog users: Do you expect to find another source for Dialog D&B
company directories after they are discontinued next year?
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12. Questions about this survey?
Contact Marcy Phelps at
mphelps@phelpsresearch.com or
+1 303.239.0657
A copy of this report and other resources for
researchers can be found at
PhelpsResearch.com/resources
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