Complete comparison of AI-powered vs traditional manual indexing. Speed, cost, quality, and use cases to help you make the right choice.
How AI and manual indexing compare across key factors
Process 300+ pages in 10-15 minutes. Immediate results for urgent deadlines.
Professional indexers need 2-4 weeks for typical books. Rush jobs cost premium.
Fixed pricing regardless of book length or complexity. No hourly fees.
Professional rates: $3-6 per page. Academic/technical books cost more.
Same quality and approach every time. No human fatigue or mood variations.
Quality depends on individual indexer skills, experience, and attention to detail.
Handle multiple projects simultaneously. No scheduling conflicts or capacity limits.
Professional indexers book weeks in advance. Limited number of skilled indexers available.
Trained on diverse content. Handles technical terms well but may miss nuanced concepts.
Expert indexers specialize in specific fields. Understands domain-specific terminology and concepts.
Adjustable settings for style, depth, and focus. Can adapt to most requirements.
Human indexers can accommodate any special requirements or unique formatting needs.
Actual pricing scenarios across different book types
| Book Type | AI Cost | Manual Cost | Savings | Time: AI | Time: Manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Published Fiction (250 pages) | $49 | $750-1250 | $700+ | 12 minutes | 2-3 weeks |
| Academic Textbook (400 pages) | $79 | $1200-2400 | $1100+ | 18 minutes | 3-4 weeks |
| Business Book (180 pages) | $39 | $540-1080 | $500+ | 8 minutes | 2 weeks |
| Technical Manual (320 pages) | $69 | $960-1920 | $900+ | 15 minutes | 3-4 weeks |
Objective assessment of indexing quality factors
Excellent at identifying key terms and concepts across broad topics
Superior at recognizing subtle concepts and implied topics
Good at obvious connections, may miss nuanced relationships
Excellent at creating meaningful conceptual connections
Very high accuracy for page references and term extraction
Depends on indexer attention to detail, can have human errors
Comprehensive coverage, may include some minor terms
Selective coverage based on professional judgment
Optimized for common search patterns and usability
Tailored to specific audience and author preferences
Decision guide based on your specific needs
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