Analysis
NAICS 513210 is the 2022 national industry for software publishers, part of 51321 (Software Publishers). Census lists 15 example activities under it in the official index.
Census lists 6 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 42, 518210, 541511 and 334610. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include applications development and publishing, except on a custom…, applications software, computer, packaged, computer software publishers, packaged and computer software publishing and reproduction, among 15 in all.
For example, reselling packaged software without publishing are classified in 42 (Wholesale Trade, or Sector 44-45, Retail Trade) instead.
County Business Patterns publishes no national count for it, either because the code is out of the survey's scope or because the figures are suppressed to protect individual businesses.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in software publishing. Establishments in this industry carry out operations necessary for producing and distributing computer software, such as designing, providing documentation, assisting in installation, and providing support services to software purchasers. These establishments may design, develop, and publish, or publish only. These establishments may publish and distribute software through subscriptions and/or downloads.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Reselling packaged software without publishing | 42 Wholesale Trade, or Sector 44-45, Retail Trade |
| Providing hosting and infrastructure support to software publishers, generally on a contract or fee basis, including game server hosting providers | 518210 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services |
| Designing custom software to meet the needs of specific users | 541511 Custom Computer Programming Services |
| Mass duplication of software without publishing | 334610 Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media |
| Operating Internet gaming sites without publishing | 516210 Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers |
| Operating online gambling sites | 713290 Other Gambling Industries |
Index entries (15)
- Applications development and publishing, except on a custom basis
- Applications software, computer, packaged
- Computer software publishers, packaged
- Computer software publishing and reproduction
- Games, computer software, publishing
- Gaming site publishers
- Mobile applications development and publishing, except on a custom basis
- Operating systems software, computer, packaged
- Packaged computer software publishers
- Programming language and compiler software publishers, packaged
- Publishers, packaged computer software
- Software computer, packaged, publishers
- Software publishers
- Software publishers, packaged
- Utility software, computer, packaged