Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the right title? Is it Guinness World Records or Guinness Book of Records?
The correct title of both the book and the company is Guinness World Records. It has changed slightly a few times over the years, but since the 2000 edition we have definitively settled on Guinness World Records, and that’s the registered book, trademark and company name.
Are you still affiliated with the Guinness Brewery?
We are no longer owned by the Guinness Brewery or any of its affiliates. In February 2008, Guinness World Records became part of the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada’s largest privately owned companies which is a conglomerate of interests, including advertising, broadcasting, grocery stores and automotive retailing.
How does each new edition differ from the previous one?
By more than most people expect! There are obviously core records – shortest and tallest people, oldest people, and so on – that are perennially featured in the book. But up to 80% of the content of each edition is brand new each year. Keeping the content fresh is uppermost in our minds when we start to put the book together each year.
With new record attempts happening all the time, who decides what goes into the book and what doesn’t?
Ultimately, the decision about what goes in and what doesn’t lies with the editor-in-chief, Craig Glenday. Editorial independence is very important to Guinness World Records – we can’t be bought, and will judge all records on their merit – but the ultimate responsibility for putting together the most interesting, fun and informative book possible lies with Craig. And as our sales keep growing, it’s pretty clear that he’s getting it right…