The digital version of a magazine can be added to a print magazine's circulation as long as the same editorial and advertising material is included, even if the layout and design is not identical.

Previously, publishers could only count the circulation of digital editions that appeared exactly the same way as the print edition.

The new rule means publishers can now count iPad and other e-reader subscriptions as part of a magazine's overall circulation as long as the digital edition uses the same advertisements and editorial matter.