With the phone book era far in the past, database and directory publishers have been forced to transform their business approach, focusing on their digital presence. Despite many publishers rapidly moving away from print services, they are experiencing immovable competition from online search engines and social media platforms within the digital space, negatively affecting revenue growth potential. Industry revenue has been eroding at a CAGR of 4.4% over the past five years and in 2024, a 3.9% drop has led to the industry revenue totaling $4.4 billion. Profit continues to drop in line with revenue, accounting for 4.7% of revenue as publishers invest more in their digital platforms. Interest in printed directories has disappeared as institutional clients and consumers have continued their shift to convenient online resources. Declining demand for print advertising has curbed revenue growth and online revenue has only slightly mitigated this downturn. Though many traditional publishers, such as Yellow Pages, now operate under parent companies with digital resources, directory publishers remain low on the list of options businesses have to choose from in digital advertising. Due to the convenience and connectivity that Facebook and Google services offer, traditional directory publishers have a limited ability to compete. Many providers have rebranded and tailored their services toward client needs, though these efforts have only had a marginal impact on revenue growth. The industry is forecast to decline at an accelerated CAGR of 5.2% over the next five years, reaching an estimated $3.4 billion in 2029, as businesses and consumers continually turn to digital alternatives for information and advertising opportunities. As AI and digital technology innovation expands, social media company products will likely improve at a faster rate than the digital offerings that directory publishers can provide. Though these companies will seek external partnerships to cut costs, they face an uphill battle to boost their visibility and reverse consumer habit trends.