Plus ça change? Trends in embedded indexing based on Society of Indexers surveys (2013–24)

The Society of Indexers has been carrying out regular membership surveys since 2008, mainly looking at members’ relations with their clients, especially in terms of fee negotiations. But the surveys have also looked at the type of work freelance indexers are doing. Over the years, new questions have gradually been added, but it is still possible to make some comparisons and establish whether any trends are evident. Since 2013, a series of questions on embedded indexing has been included. The data show the continued dominance of traditional back-of-the-book indexing but there is a suggestion that the amount of embedded indexing is gradually increasing, particularly among more recently qualified indexers.