Frequently Asked Questions about Britannica Membership - Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Corporate Site (2024)

Membership & Billing

Why should I consider Britannica premium memberships?

Now, more than ever, how you discover information matters. For over 250 years, Encyclopaedia Britannica has shaped how the world discovers, learns and shares. Britannica’s commitment to rigor, research, fact-checking, and editing is the prevailing reason we remain the pivotal place of knowledge; celebrating students and lifelong learners wherever the journey of discovery takes them.

Our premium memberships for Encyclopaedia Britannica and Britannica Kids allow unlimited, ad-free access to over 130,000 fact-checked articles, 60,000+ images and videos, 1,100+ biographies, maps, infographics, illustrations, quizzes, games, and special roundups on today’s most important topics, homework help, and more. Members also receive exclusive, members-only content, including limited run newsletters, e-books, and digital access to content from Encyclopaedia Britannica’s first 1768 edition.

How much do Britannica premium memberships cost?

Encyclopaedia Britannica and Britannica Kids premium memberships are available to individuals. Visit our membership page to see offers and to begin the membership process.

I want to purchase a premium membership using a credit card, but I don’t want to submit my account number over the Internet. What are my options?

You can contact Britannica Customer Support by telephone, and a representative will process your membership directly. Britannica Customer Support may be reached using the following information:

  • Phone in U.S. and Canada: 1-800-323-1229
  • Phone in all other countries: 1-312-347-7159
  • Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm U.S. Central Time
  • Fax: 312-294-2104
  • E-mail Britannica Customer Support


What is your cancellation policy?

Monthly members: You can cancel any time.

Yearly members: Pre-paid memberships are renewed yearly. If you cancel your membership, you’ll stay a member for the rest of the 12 months you joined for, but your account will not automatically renew for another year once that ends.


How do I cancel my Encyclopaedia Britannica and/or Britannica Kids premium membership?

You can access your account preferences by first logging in to your Britannica account. Next, follow the prompts for subscription settings and select the “Change or cancel your membership” link to view detailed instructions on how to cancel your membership.

Please note that cancellations should not be considered confirmed until you have received a Cancellation Confirmation email from Britannica. If you cancel a membership but do not receive a Cancellation Confirmation email from Britannica within 24 hours, please contact Britannica Customer Support. Please note, membership cancellations will prevent future billings on your account but do not include refunds.


My company will pay for my Britannica membership but needs to receive an invoice. Can you do this?

After you are billed for your membership, please send an email to Britannica Customer Support with complete information about your company’s invoice requirements. A Support Representative will contact you with full invoice information.


Will I be charged tax on my membership fee?

Britannica applies tax to memberships in certain states or cities. Tax is applied when two conditions are met: 1) The state or city in which the customer resides requires that memberships delivered over the Internet be taxed, and 2) Britannica has an image/physical presence in such a state (i.e., Britannica has employees in that state). There are states that do generally tax memberships delivered over the Internet but in which Britannica does not charge tax because we have no physical presence in the state. For further information, we recommend that you refer to your state’s tax code, consult materials such as CCH Incorporated’s Multistate Sales Tax Review, or contact your state’s comptroller.


What is Britannica’s policy regarding Value Added Tax (VAT) rates for customers in European Union (EU) countries?

In compliance with the laws concerning Value Added Tax, Encyclopædia Britannica charges VAT to customers in the European Union. Rates vary by country. More information regarding Value Added Tax is available via the European Commission website.


I would like to be removed from Encyclopaedia Britannica email lists. How do I do this?

All newsletter and promotional emails sent by Encyclopaedia Britannica include unsubscribe links. You can also remove your email from our mailing list by accessing email preferences via your Britannica account.


How do I know if my membership has been canceled? What happens if I think my membership has been canceled but I’m still being billed? If I haven’t received confirmation that my membership has been canceled, can I still be billed?

Memberships are confirmed as canceled only when you receive a cancellation email confirming the date on which your access will end. Please keep a copy of the email for your records.

If you believe you have canceled your membership but have not received the cancellation confirmation email, please contact Britannica Customer Support to confirm the status of your membership; your membership may still be open, and you may continue to be billed. Claims that a membership has been canceled will not be entertained without the cancellation confirmation email described above.


Am I eligible for a refund if I don’t use the service?

No. While we encourage our members to make as much use as possible of their premium memberships, we will not issue refunds to members who feel that they have not fully utilized the service. Billing is based solely on provision of access, not on usage of the site.


Is my billing based upon the number of times I access the site?

No. Billing is based solely on provision of access, not on usage of the site.


If I don’t read my credit card statement, will you issue me a refund?

No. Britannica (and, we would assume, your credit card’s issuing bank) encourages you to read and be attentive to your credit card statements. If you maintain your membership beyond your desired duration due to the fact that you were not attentive to your credit card statements, that is your responsibility, and we will not issue a refund.


If a child under my care uses my credit card to purchase a premium membership without my permission, am I eligible for a refund?

This situation essentially constitutes fraud and must be taken up with your credit card company. We will issue a refund only within the predefined refund-eligible periods; i.e., within the first 30 days of use/renewal for annually renewing accounts. If the account in question is on a monthly billing cycle, the account is not eligible for refund. If the account in question is an annual account and it has been more than 30 days since billing has taken place, it is also not eligible for a refund.


What if I don’t want to become a premium member – can I still read Encyclopaedia Britannica for free?

Visitors do have free access to a limited amount of digital content on Britannica.com. Britannica Kids, however, requires a premium membership to view content.


Free Trial

If I sign up for a free trial, am I automatically activating a paid membership at the end of my free trial?

Yes. If you wish to cancel your membership, you may do so at any time within the free trial period and you will not be billed. If you do nothing, your free trial will end, and your membership billing will begin.


Using the Service

I forgot my password. Can you help?

Britannica’s account management system includes a retrieve password feature. Enter the email address you used when you registered; you’ll receive an email with directions on how to reset your password.


I’m a registered member and I need to change my password. How do I do this?

Please log in to your Britannica account and follow the instructions to change your password.


Can Encyclopaedia Britannica provide answers to my research questions?

Yes and no. Encyclopaedia Britannica is one of the most comprehensive, authoritative information sources on the Internet. The search and retrieval database is designed for your use in pursuit of knowledge on a variety of topics. Encyclopaedia Britannica is not a research service. That is, we do not perform research for customers, nor do we supply reports with the findings on your topic of interest.


Other Britannica Products

Where can I find pricing and descriptions of other Encyclopædia Britannica products?

To review and purchase Britannica products, please visit the Britannica Store. If you would like to place your order with a Britannica Support Representative, please call 1-800-323-1229.


Do you have an academic, group or corporate subscription program? Are there any subscription discounts?

Yes, Encyclopaedia Britannica offers corporate and academic subscriptions, along with a wide range of educational products for students and professional learners. To learn more about Britannica’s educational services, visit Britannica Education.


Policies

What are Encyclopaedia Britannica’s terms of use regarding its content?

All materials on this site are protected by international copyright and trademark laws. Using these materials for commercial purposes is prohibited, except as otherwise expressly permitted under applicable law or as described in the Terms of Use.


Can I place a link to Encyclopaedia Britannica on my site?

You are welcome to provide such a link, with the following restrictions:

  • You may not use our logo on your site.
  • You may not use any Encyclopaedia Britannica or Britannica Kids content directly on your site.


What are the Terms of Use for Encyclopaedia Britannica?

Acceptance of Britannica’s Terms of Use is required of every member prior to completion of the membership process. To refresh your recollection of the terms, read the complete Terms of Use.


What is Encyclopaedia Britannica’s privacy policy?

Read Encyclopaedia Britannica’s complete Privacy Policy.


What is Britannica Online’s policy on mature content?

Every site included in Encyclopaedia Britannica content has been examined by a Britannica editor or suggested by a contributor and reviewed by an editor. We do not include explicitly p*rnographic or violent sites, but some recommended sites do address mature or controversial themes and feature adult language.


Why can’t I access Britannica.com?

Britannica is a membership site, so only paid members and Free Trial participants are able to access the entire Britannica database and complete line of special features. Members and Free Trial participants may experience difficulties accessing Britannica for the following reasons:

  1. Your membership has expired. Please visit the Account Maintenance area to review your account status. Your log-in and password are required to enter this area.
  2. You are a first-time user whose log-in and password are still being authenticated by our system. This process takes an average of 10 minutes, depending on the current amount of site traffic. If you have recently registered and are experiencing difficulty, please wait a few minutes and try again.
  3. You forgot your Britannica log-in or password. Please note, your log-in for Britannica is the e-mail address you used for registration. If you have forgotten your password, please click here.
  4. If you are still unable to access your account, contact Britannica Customer Support for assistance. Britannica Customer Support may be reached using the following information:
    1. E-mail Britannica Customer Support
    2. Phone in U.S. and Canada: 1-800-323-1229
    3. Phone in all other countries: 1-312-347-7159
    4. Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 6:00pm US Central Time


Why should I support Encyclopaedia Britannica?

Britannica’s commitment to rigor, research, fact-checking, and editing is the prevailing reason we remain the pivotal place of knowledge. Honoring this commitment is time-consuming, expensive work.


How do I donate to Encyclopaedia Britannica?

Every day folks like you bring Britannica resources to underserved communities around the world. For over 250 years, Britannica has empowered the way the world teaches and learns. We pave the way for learning innovation, curiosity-led discovery, and 21st century skill building. With the help of donors around the world, we are able to expand our programs and services to communities in need.


What if I don’t want to become a premium member – can I still read Encyclopaedia Britannica for free?

Visitors do have free access to a limited amount of digital content on Britannica.com. Britannica Kids, however, requires a premium membership to view content.


Do you have an academic, group or corporate subscription program? Are there any subscription discounts?

Yes, Encyclopaedia Britannica offers corporate and academic subscriptions, along with a wide range of educational products for students and professional learners. To learn more about Britannica’s educational services, visit Britannica Education.

Frequently Asked Questions about Britannica Membership - Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Corporate Site (2024)

FAQs

How do I cancel my Encyclopedia Britannica subscription? ›

What are my options? You can contact Britannica Customer Support by telephone, and a representative will process your membership directly. Britannica Customer Support may be reached using the following information: Phone in U.S. and Canada: 1-800-323-1229.

How much is a subscription to Encyclopedia Britannica? ›

You will not be charged during your free trial, and you can cancel at any time. If you decide not to cancel your subscription, your service will continue at $1.44 a week (billed annually at $74.95) for your first year and renew after that year at the then-current rate annually. All subscriptions are billed annually.

Is it worth subscribing to Britannica? ›

The online subscription eliminates the ads, and also gives you access to all the content. You don't get all the content without the subscription. For example, if you look up “Molasses” or “Language”, you'll get the first 100 words, but you need a subscription to see the full article.

Can you trust Encyclopedia Britannica? ›

Britannica's content is among the most trusted in the world.

Is it worth buying Encyclopedia Britannica? ›

The Encyclopedia Britannica contains carefully edited articles on all major topics. It fits the ideal purpose of a reference work as a place to get started, or to refer back to as you read and write. The articles in Britannica are written by expert authors who are both identifiable and credible.

Did Encyclopedia Britannica go out of business? ›

The Encyclopedia Britannica, which has been in continuous print since it was first published in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1768, said Tuesday it will end publication of its printed editions and continue with digital versions available online.

Is Encyclopedia Britannica better than Wikipedia? ›

For serious errors, such as misinterpretations of important concepts, 4 were found in Wikipedia, and 4 in Britannica (1:1). The study concluded that "Wikipedia comes close to Britannica in terms of the accuracy of its science entries", although Wikipedia's articles were often "poorly structured".

Is there any value to old Encyclopedia Britannica? ›

The Internet has rendered vintage encyclopedias obsolete and today the value is primarily from people looking to have a set similar to the one that they grew up with. A complete 1967 white britannica encyclopedia sells for $50 or so at auction and for $120 to $150 from antique book dealers.

Does Britannica still sell encyclopedias? ›

The encyclopaedia is maintained by about 100 full-time editors and more than 4,000 contributors. The 2010 version of the 15th edition, which spans 32 volumes and 32,640 pages, was the last printed edition. Since 2016, it has been published exclusively as an online encyclopaedia.

Are old encyclopedias worth keeping? ›

Old encyclopedias are attracting collectors primarily for two reasons: scarcity and information. As is the case with all rare books and other collectibles, the more scarce an edition is, the more likely it is to have a bigger spread between supply and demand, and thus the higher the monetary value.

Do people buy encyclopedias anymore? ›

Edwards wrote that Tom Evans, the encyclopedia's editor-in-chief, told him, "Because there is still a demand!" It is a demand, Evans told a reporter, that comes from librarians, teachers and families of students.

How does Britannica make money? ›

Only 15 % of our revenue comes from Britannica content. The other 85% comes from learning and instructional materials we sell to the elementary and high school markets and consumer space. We have been profitable for the last eight years.

What are the disadvantages of encyclopedias? ›

In addition, the main disadvantages of electronic encyclopedias include dependence on information technology, high initial cost, quality control, and citation.

Who runs Britannica? ›

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Under the leadership of Jorge Cauz, Britannica and Merriam-Webster have been transformed from iconic print brands into two of the world's largest and most trusted digital media platforms, serving a global audience of more than 150 million monthly users.

How many editions of Encyclopedia Britannica are there? ›

The Encyclopædia Britannica has been published continuously since 1768, appearing in fifteen official editions.

How do I get rid of Encyclopedia Britannica? ›

Recycling encyclopedias

Call your local library and ask if you may donate your set to be sold. Put it up for giveaway on freecycle.org. If they're really old -- say, more than 100 years -- call a rare bookseller and ask if they're worth anything. Find out if a local recycler takes them.

What has happened to Encyclopedia Britannica? ›

They have not closed. They've stopped offering the printed version of their Encyclopedia Britannica and the Great Books. 2010 was the last year produced.

How much was a full set of Encyclopedia Britannica? ›

Long before Google or Wikipedia, there was only one thing to turn to…the encyclopedia. Back then, the Encyclopedia Britannica, one of the most popular versions of the books, sold anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000.

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