What is an index?

An index is an alphabetical list of topics, terms, names, and places covered in a work, along with the page numbers (or locators) where they can be found.

Why does my book need an index?

An index is a valuable navigation tool to help readers find specific information without having to page through the book hoping to find what they are looking for.

What is the difference between an index and a table of contents?

An index appears at the back of a book and is an alphabetically arranged list of access points for subject matter, themes, names, and other key content. A table of contents appears at the front of the book and lists the title and beginning page number of each section (or chapter) of the book, without further analysis of the contents.

Who does indexing?

Indexers create indexes. Professional indexers are typically widely read, detail-oriented, analytical, familiar with publishing practices, and adept at meeting deadlines. Indexers have studied and are experienced in text analysis and the organization of information. The indexer sees the work as a whole, understands the relation of the parts to the whole, and is good at discerning what readers of the work are likely to look for.

Can’t a computer index a book?

No. A computer is not able to index a book. What a computer can do is automatically produce a complete list of words by page location or frequency of use in the text. This list is a concordance, not an index. Indexing software aids in formatting indexes, but the intellectual and analytical work of choosing terms and providing access to subjects and concepts is done by the human brain.

Can’t AI create an index?

No. The indexing community is proactive in evaluating the use and impact of evolving technology. If you ask an AI chatbot to create an index, it uses an algorithm to produce a list of terms with absent or incorrect page numbers. Additionally, speed is not an advantage of automated or AI indexing because the output requires so much editing and checking that it is quicker to index from scratch. Human indexing skills, in combination with the use of developed standards and guidelines for indexing, cannot be replicated by AI.

Can I, the author, index my own book?

Maybe. Authors know the subject matter and the audience to whom the work is addressed, but not all authors can look at their work with the eyes of a potential reader like indexers do. Nor do many authors have the technical skills or time to prepare a good index that meets the publisher’s deadline. While it is not impossible for an author to create a good index, it is more efficient and less stressful to enlist the aid of a professional indexer.

Do ebooks need indexes since the reader can just search for a term?

Yes! In this age of searchable text in ebooks, the need for an index made with human input is sometimes questioned, but a good index can do what a search function cannot. An index eliminates the need for keyword searches that produce vague results lacking context. Embedded indexes, used in ebooks, link indexed information directly to text in the electronic file.

Where can I find an indexer?

The American Society for Indexing (ASI) publishes the online Indexer Locator which includes a personal statement from each indexer listed and is searchable by subject and language specialty, types of material indexed, and geographical location.

How can I become an indexer?

If you would like to know more about becoming an indexer see So you want to be an indexer on the American Society for Indexing website for an overview of indexing as a profession.