See the impact of better editing
The ACES Value of Editing Report examines how different levels of editing shape the reader experience, with new research into what makes content easier to understand, more engaging, and more effective.
Download the report to see what readers value and what the findings mean for the future of editing.
What makes editing valuable?
Editing can do much more than correct errors. It can change how easily readers understand information, whether content holds their attention, and whether they want to keep reading.
ACES commissioned independent research to measure that impact and give editors and organizations evidence they can use to understand and communicate the value of editing.
The study found that the strongest results came when editing addressed the complete reader experience.
What the research found
Deeper editing delivers stronger results
For work-related materials, combining developmental, stylistic, and copyediting significantly improved readers’ perceptions of readability, comprehension, attention, and interest in reading more from the same source.
For materials read for interest or enjoyment, this deeper level of editing was the only approach tested that produced a significant difference in readers’ overall perceptions.
Readers value more than correctness
Grammar and punctuation matter, but they’re only part of what shapes the reader experience.
Readers also responded to how well content was organized, how easily they could understand and use it, whether it held their attention, and how effectively it was tailored to its audience.
Different readers have different needs
Context matters. Readers wanted work-related content to be clear and easy to use, while content they chose for interest or enjoyment needed to keep them engaged.
Across both, readers valued appropriate language, relevant detail, clear organization, and effective tone.
Human judgment still matters
Although the study did not ask participants directly about generative AI, readers raised concerns about AI-generated writing, describing it as potentially wordy, inaccurate, or lacking a human tone.
The findings reinforce the value of the judgment editors bring to content, including audience awareness, organization, accuracy, clarity, and tone.
Research grounded in the reader experience
The independent study, conducted by Writing System Institute from October 2025 to August 2026, included a nationally representative sample of 584 U.S. adults and follow-up interviews with 22 participants.
Readers evaluated edited and unedited versions of six materials, including workplace instructions, reports, blog posts, and a LinkedIn post.
Researchers measured perceptions of readability, comprehension, attention, accuracy, source credibility, and interest in reading more from the same source.
Turn the findings into action
The report goes beyond measuring the impact of editing. It identifies ways editors and organizations can apply what readers told researchers.
Use the findings to:
- Make the case for involving editors earlier in content development.
- Show the value of developmental and stylistic editing alongside copyediting.
- Communicate the human skills editors bring to the content process.
- Recognize accuracy checking as a marketable skill and ethical responsibility.
- Connect editing decisions to outcomes that matter to readers.
Put evidence behind the value of editing
Get the complete findings, analysis, and recommendations in the ACES Value of Editing Report: Study Findings and Recommendations for Industry.