Library of Congress Research Guides
Doing Company Research: A Resource Guide
This guide provides ideas and strategies for researching companies, with a focus on more common sources that may be of use for those looking for information on companies that are active and for those looking for current information.
Basic InformationToggle Dropdown
Trade & Brand Names
U.S. Private Companies
U.S. Public CompaniesToggle Dropdown
What They Do & How They Do It
Subsidiaries, Branches, & Locations
Peer Group/Competitor ComparisonToggle Dropdown
Searching for the News
Non-U.S. CompaniesToggle Dropdown
Specific Countries & Regions
Business Reference: Ask a Librarian
Have a question? Need assistance? Use our online form to ask a librarian for help.
Ellen Terrell, Business Reference Specialist, Science, Technology & Business Division
Created: December 2003
Last Updated: February 2019
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American Soap Company. [1850s?]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
This guide is designed to give someone searching for company information a place to start with a few ideas and strategies for finding company information. The content of this guide is not intended to include all sources of company information, in all places, or published by all publishers—there are too many sources than could be included in a single guide. While the bulk of this guide is focused on more common sources that may be of use for those looking for information on companies that are in the U.S. and active, and for those looking for current information - there is a section for international companies and many of the sources can also be used for historical research.
It is important to note, that each research project will be different and have different constraints so the sources and strategies included here are just to get someone started.
When doing company research there are many sources to use. Depending on the company—its size, industry, or location—some sources will be good while others will not. Small and private companies tend to be harder to research; researching them tends to be a more creative exercise. Those companies in industries that are dominated by private companies or those in areas that are more suspicious of their competitors, also tend to keep their information more closely held and also can require creative searching. While you will find a lot of information available on the Internet, it may not be reliable, and you may not find what you are looking for if you rely solely on free Internet sources.
Finally, many of the best sources included here may be available in a local public or university library so check to see what you have access to locally.
About Business Reference Services
Part of the Science, Technology & Business Division at the Library of Congress, Business Reference Services is the starting point for conducting research at the Library of Congress in the subject areas of business and economics. Here, reference specialists in specific subject areas of business assist patrons in formulating search strategies and gaining access to the information and materials contained in the Library's rich collections of business and economics materials.
Business Reference Services
Submit a question through our Ask a Librarian service, call us at 202-707-5639, or visit us in person on the fifth floor of the John Adams building in Washington, D.C. Learn more about conducting research in the Science and Business Reading Room.
Next: Basic Information >>
Last Updated: Jan 7, 2022 3:06 PM
URL: https://guides.loc.gov/company-research
Subjects: Business and Management, Company and Industry Information
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