You may have gotten a letter or e-mail from Marquis Who’s Who in America and wonder if it is a legit opportunity or just another scam. I can tell you from personal experience, it’s a little bit of both.

Update- They are pushing Who’s Who pretty heavily on LinkedIn now! I’ve gotten several messages on there about it.

The image below is the e-mail I got in the mail today. I never received the letter they mention sending. However, I have previously received actual letters, dating all the way back to when I was in high school. And you can actually find me listed in an early 1990s edition!

What Is Marquis Who’s Who in America?

Founded in 1898 by Albert Nelson Marquis, Marquis Who’s Who is a biographical directory that claims to recognize individuals who have made notable contributions in their fields. While the publication originally focused on prominent figures in the United States, it has expanded to include international editions, covering professionals in science, business, law, education, medicine, and the arts.

Unlike some online directories that indiscriminately list names, Marquis Who’s Who markets itself as a legitimate, merit-based publication. But is it really?

I Am Actually in a Who’s Who Edition

I got my first Who’s Who letter in high school. I don’t recall what my notable contribution to my field of “high school student” was exactly, but I was super excited to be included in a real book.

This was before the Internet, so I filled out the letter and sent it back. It was free to be included and still is! Marquis Who’s Who in America does not charge to be listed. But they do give you paid options if you would like to add optional products and services.

Within a couple weeks I got a confirmation letter that I passed their prestigious screening process and was offered several options for purchasing books or plaques with my award listed. I was just a high school kid, so I declined their very expensive products.

But, a couple years later, I noticed our local library had a collection of Marquis Who’s Who in America books, dating back to the time I would have been included.

So, I looked myself up, and there I was! I think it was just my name in a list of names. My memory is a little hazy (it was 30+ years ago), but I think you had to pay to include your bio.

But yes, they do really put your name in the book for free. So that part is not a scam.

So, Is Marquis Who’s Who Legit?

While Marquis Who’s Who is not an outright scam, its value and selection process is subjective. It’s really considered more of a vanity publication.

Why else would a high school student, who’s only accomplishment at the time was being on the Honor Roll, pass their selection process? That doesn’t seem very selective.

I’ve also gotten other invitations off and on throughout the years, no matter what business I’m in or how much I have (or have not) accomplished.

How Are People Selected for Who’s Who?

One of the biggest questions surrounding Marquis Who’s Who is how people get chosen. The company claims to have a rigorous selection process based on career achievements, leadership roles, and public recognition.

However, many recipients of their invitation (like me) question whether the selection is truly exclusive and suspect it’s more of a marketing strategy. Some people report being listed despite having relatively low-profile careers, while others say they were contacted multiple times even after declining.

Once selected, individuals are encouraged to purchase an upgraded profile, plaques, and other commemorative items. While there is no charge to be listed, the persistent upselling gives it more of a vanity press vibe rather than a true mark of distinction.

An example of their products available for purchase:

This pricing is from a few years ago, because I couldn’t find any pricing on their site and had to research it. So it’s probably more expensive now!

• Marquis Biographies Online (MBO): An expansive database of “distinguished professionals.” Access to MBO was $289
• Expanded Listing in Print Editions: Inclusion in the print edition of “Who’s Who in America” with an expanded biography. A package including the expanded listing and one copy of the 2020 edition was $578.
• Lifetime Achievement Plaque: A plaque recognizing the individual’s lifetime achievements, available for $199. A package that includes the plaque, an expanded listing in the book, and one copy of the book was $488.
• Full Page Feature: A full-page feature in the “Who’s Who in America” 2020 edition, accompanied by two copies of the book, priced at $995.

There are more options you can choose from, but the prices above give you an idea of why they want to include you in their name collection so badly!

Is There Any Real Benefit to Being Listed?

The biggest factor in determining whether Marquis Who’s Who is worthwhile is whether inclusion actually provides any professional advantage.

Being listed doesn’t come with automatic prestige, and it’s unlikely to directly impact career opportunities. Unlike industry-specific awards or certifications, a Who’s Who listing is more of a personal recognition than a credential with real-world weight.

In other words, nobody is going to be impressed by your Marquis Who’s Who in America book or plaque. So, if you’re hoping for career-changing benefits, you might want to invest your time and money elsewhere.

Final Warning Before You Sign Up

If you are thinking about filling out their form just to get your name in the book for free, you might want to read their terms and conditions thoroughly.

Their form requires a phone number, and once you hand that over, you agree to be robo-called with promotional marketing calls and texts. If I learned anything about filling out forms online, it’s not to give out my cell phone number!

The bottom line is that this is really a just vanity award. And some people have reported experiencing repeated phone calls and aggressive marketing tactics, so you might want to think twice before signing up. Unless of course you really want an expensive plaque for your wall.