In our latest blog post, we asked our panel of expert indexers what has changed in the profession, and what has stayed the same #IndexSky buff.ly/6JN6aux

At our April coffee morning, seventeen SI members, from retired to student indexers, met to discuss what we say when we talk among ourselves about indexing.

I must recommend this brilliant book to anyone interested in the churches of Norwich and their history. Recently published, large format, loads of photos, maps etc, 500 pages, surprisingly a very reasonable price on line.

Super old index here. I am not sure we can or should do it like that these days but all the same.

I guess every biographer becomes obsessed with setting the record straight about their subject, but I have never seen a book include a detailed "Index to Misconceptions" like this! The use of all-caps makes it even more hilarious. from "Berlioz and the Romantic Century" by Jacques Barzun (1950)

Cool! Someone went to check if they were in a book by looking at the index.

Look, a reader uses and index and finds what they were looking for.

Often a good idea to promote your non-fiction book with a glimpse of the index, especially if it is a good one. Not one of mine I have to say.

NEW BOOK: 'Rhynie, A Powerful Place of Pictland' We are thrilled to announce the release of our book by Professor Gordon Noble FSAScot, a nationally important monograph that brings together 10 years of research which has transformed our understanding of the Picts: www.socantscot.org/uncategorize...

Someone suggested I use AI to write the index of my book (which will be out next year!). Um, no. Never. Why would I work so hard on something for years before AI and then give it a lazy (& inaccurate) index? Also proud to say I wouldn’t know how to start using AI and I don’t want to.

Full details about the training course here.

If you’re an author or publisher looking for an indexer for your book, we have a Professional Directory of accredited indexers. Search by subject and skill to find the right indexer for your project. But book early – there is high demand for our services #IndexDay buff.ly/QNq1llm

Indexers are often asked if they read every word. Yes, we do! And the indexer's eyes will often be the last to do so before the book comes out. We will raise any issues we spot. It's not a free proofread, but it is a quality check.

What is an index, and why is it important? An index is a map; it makes the information in books accessible to readers. It gives a sense of the coverage of the book, and whether it contains the information you need. And you can go back after reading to find what you want #IndexDay buff.ly/LMIHOqs

We’re all about high quality and standards in indexing. But how can you tell a good index from a bad one? Good indexes anticipate and serve the needs of the reader. They are appropriate to the length of the book, concise without being elliptical, inclusive without being over-complex.

In a nutshell #IndexDay celebrates the Society and the last, almost 70 years, of promoting excellence in indexing.

Wearing two hats today as I'm monitoring @indexers.bsky.social on #IndexDay for all things book indexing. Ask a question and we'll try to answer. Show us your indexes, good and bad. Show us your love for indexes too.

@djbduncan.bsky.social - a great quote!

"Indexes are deeply political. A good interdisciplinary index signal-boosts the work of marginalized scholars and fields while making the text accessible across communities." Louder for the people in the back please.

‘Nonfiction books are a crucial bulwark against the surging public culture of “alternative facts,” outright lies, and the brazen embrace of ignorance.‘ newrepublic.com/article/2076...

@djbduncan.bsky.social @baindex.org - the long reach goes on. Influencing ideas about book indexing and how to do it. "a banger good book" should go on the jacket of the next printing.

I think some of my clients need to up their game when it comes to thanks for my work. Payment is required too.

A very small section(!) of 200+ photos from an absolutely brilliant long weekend trip to Gdańsk that @timgalsworthy.bsky.social organised as a thank you for book indexing. Possibly one of my favourite European cities - so much to see from the Hanseatic League to Solidarity, wartime to restoration.

Oh dear!

Half a life time ago I'd have applied for this. Good to see commitment to publishing archaeology continues in Oxford.

@baindex.org had a day out with @cilipmdg.bsky.social librarians and looked at the crossovers with indexers.

A page from the index of our upcoming book. We love indexing.

Having a bit of a moment looking at the index of an archaeological report done by someone who has archaeological experience but has not been trained as indexer and it shows. No names, no pack drill, but this is why it is important to have someone trained and knowledgeable doing your indexes.

I had a super time talking about how much I enjoy indexing archaeological site reports, and keeping up with current research with @currentarchaeology.bsky.social (although a fair few of the articles are about books I have already worked on). And I got to talk about poo again! Fecal steroids!

Our March session featured indexer @nicolaking.bsky.social talking about indexing archaeology texts. These are published by a range of organizations – consultancies, societies, universities, museums as well as publishers.

#TinyJoys Being reminded of #WorldBookDay by some other social media when my offspring was 12 and went out as a hobbit with a wooden sword. He's 23 now.

Yup, even popular non-fiction needs an index. Readers notice and want better.

Are you a publishing professional who needs to know more about book indexing? Join us for our #IndexDay workshops in London @publishersassoc.bsky.social on 31 March. Learn about indexing and technology, what makes a quality index, and try indexing for yourself. Book at

The full programme for our #IndexDay workshop for publishing professionals on 31 March @publishersassoc.bsky.social is out. Join experienced professional indexers to discuss a range of indexing topics. See the programme and book your place here - places are limited, so book soon!

Don’t call them “potholes,” call them “motor holes,” says @cyclinguk.bsky.social editorial in CTC Gazette, Feb 1917.

Top 10 blog posts of 2025: #4. A #Publisher's Conversation with #Authors: So, You Want to Add an #Index to Your #Book msipressblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/top-... #referencebooks #selfhelpbooks #indexing

He shouldn't have to ask. No brainer. This book needs an index. Less than a week for a professional. Will make it infinitely more useful.

Here’s my take on that Suffolk coin hoard, thanks to all the commenters here on BlueSky! spectator.com/article/why-...

Excellent point here - bad indexes disappoint readers and make them a bit cross.

Good thread about how readers use book indexes and why ctrl+f isn't at all the same. Thanks @hbflyte.bsky.social

A chance for @cilip.bsky.social members to have a chat with indexers at @indexers.bsky.social coffee morning this week. I get to talk about poo!

Opportunity for publishing professionals to learn more about indexing - #IndexDay

Looks fab, but no index :-( Take it from me, indexing excavation reports, even those underwater and with lots of finds, does not take long or cost an unreasonable amount. Ctrl+f is not the same, neither is a long table of contents.

Yes! I do! It can be a quick way to assess if the book will touch on a specific topic you need. Vital for those with restricted research reading time! However, many indexes are not as good as they should be

Indexing a book is also an art, involving deep understanding of the contents of the book and the likely interest of likely readers, yet unfortunately most indexes nowadays... for the last many decades, actually... are machine-generated crap.

Indexing is an underrated skill. It's what's in the book, keywords, but also what people will use to look up something, which may not be identical. And taking you to info, not merely a passing reference.

Some publishers really should know better than to outsource like this.

Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org is Chair of Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social - this session will explore the commonalities of the fields of book indexing & library & information science + the shared purpose of helping people to find information in books & other media #MetaFutures #Conference

Despite the colossal amount of monetary, natural, human & political resources thrown at AI, it is still shit. AI writes like shit, evaluates and reasons on only the most superficial levels, and introduces errors. It is useless when it isn’t dangerous. It can’t even index a book.