How to Challenge a Guinness World Record

Challenging a Guinness World Record (GWR) is a highly structured process that must be initiated through their official channels before any attempt is made. This article looks at how to challenge a Guinness World Record and the criteria for certification.

A Guinness World Record is an officially verified, supreme achievement recognizing the “best” in a particular skill, feat, or natural phenomenon. Managed by Guinness World Records (formerly The Guinness Book of Records), it documents extreme human accomplishments, natural wonders, and unique talents. Over 50,000 applications are received annually to be included in the annual, internationally recognized reference book.

Key aspects of a Guinness World Record include:

• Verification: An independent auditing system and, for major attempts, official adjudicators verify records.
• Standards: Records must be measurable, breakable, and standardized to ensure fairness.
• Origins: The concept began in 1955 to settle pub arguments about superlatives, conceived by Sir Hugh Beaver.
• Scope: Records range from physical feats (fastest, tallest) to unusual, highly specific challenges.
• Rejection Rate: Roughly 95% of applications are rejected.

The publication itself holds a record as the best-selling copyrighted book series

To challenge a Guinness World Record one needs to register his or her interest with the  guinness world records.

1. Application and Pre-Attempt Steps

• Register an Account: Create a profile on the Guinness World Records website.
• Search for a Title: Search their database for the existing record you want to break. If you have a new idea, select “Apply for a new record title” at the bottom of the search results.
• Submit Your Application: Fill out the formal application form. A Standard Application is free for existing titles but can take up to 12 weeks to be reviewed.
• Review Your Guidelines: Once accepted, you will receive a specific “Guide to Your Evidence” and technical rules for your record. Do not attempt the record until you have read these, as they often contain strict requirements for witnesses and equipment.

2. Executing the Record Attempt

• Independent Witnesses: You must arrange for at least two independent witnesses who are not related to you or affiliated with your organization. Some records require specialists, such as surveyors or medical professionals.
• Documentation: You must provide continuous, unedited video footage of the attempt. High-quality photos and log books (for attempts over one hour) are also typically required.
• Adjudicators: While not required, you can pay for an Official Adjudicator to attend your event for immediate verification, though this is primarily a fee-based service for businesses.

3. Submission and Verification

• Upload Evidence: All evidence must be submitted through your online account dashboard; GWR does not accept evidence via post or email.
• Wait for Review: The standard review of your evidence takes up to 12 weeks.
• Priority Options: If you are in a hurry, you can purchase Priority Application (approx. $800–$1,000) or Priority Evidence Review to get a response within 5 working days.

Key Record Criteria

To be accepted, a record must meet these five core values:

• Measurable: It must be objective (e.g., fastest, heaviest) rather than subjective (e.g., “kindest”).
• Breakable: It must be open to being challenged by others.
• Standardizable: It must be able to be repeated by someone else under the same conditions.
• Verifiable: The claim must be provable through accurate evidence.
• One Variable: It must be based on a single superlative (e.g., “the most people in a car,” not “the most people in a car while singing”