A distribution apparatus distributes content catalog information to a plurality of nodes in an information distribution system. The plurality of nodes are capable of performing communication with each other via a network, and are divided into a plurality of groups in accordance with a predetermined grouping condition. The content catalog information includes attribute information of content data which can be obtained by each of the nodes. The apparatus comprises storing means for storing new content catalog information including attribute information of new content data which can be newly obtained by each of the nodes, and distributing means for distributing the new content catalog information to the nodes belonging to each of the groups at timings which vary among the groups divided according to the grouping condition.