What time period does the data cover?

The dataset includes annual snapshots from 1997 through the most recently completed year, which is currently July, 2025.

Is the full historical data available in output?

Yes. Outputs can include the entire historical series (1997–present), with one record per business per snapshot year.

How is the data collected?

The data is compiled from annual point-in-time snapshots pulled in July. Each snapshot includes only businesses that were operating at the time of capture.

Are businesses updated retroactively?

No. Once an annual snapshot is published, it is not updated or corrected. Historical files remain fixed.

How should I interpret businesses that disappear from the data?

If a business no longer appears in subsequent snapshots, it is generally interpreted as having closed in the prior year.

Can I track the same business across multiple years?

Yes. The data includes persistent unique identifiers (such as infogroup_id) that allow businesses to be tracked across years, even though each year is represented as a separate record.

Does "In Business" indicate current status?

No. The In Business field is set to "Yes" for all records, since snapshots only include businesses that were operating at the time of capture. It should not be used to infer current-day status.

What is the difference between "Created At" and "Estimated Opened For Business"?

These dates may differ and serve different purposes.

• Created At reflects when a business location was first added to the database.

• Estimated Opened For Business is a modelled estimate of when the business began operations.

Do attribute values change year over year?

Yes. Attributes such as business name, contact details, industry classification, location, employment, and sales may change between snapshots. Each record reflects the values available for that specific year.

Is this data suitable for real-time or operational use?

No. This dataset is designed for historical analysis and planning. It is not intended for real-time decisioning or operational workflows.