Ask: Revenues

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Wed 29 Jul 2009

Ask.com and Citysearch Parent IAC Revenues Down in Media and Ad Division

Posted by Admin under Ask: Revenues, Latest Info

IAC released quarterly earnings today and the news is a little dim. The media and advertising division, which includes Ask.com and CItysearch saw Q2 2009 revenues of $168.6 million, down from $186.3 million in Q2 2008, a 9.5% decline.

Revenue per query declined on Ask.com, which IAC is attributing to an improved search experience. They say users are finding what they’re looking for with fewer clicks. As a result of all of this, cost per click has declined.

Additionally, Ask.com experienced increased expenses related to their NASCAR partnership as well as increased marketing efforts in the UK. (Jeeves is an expensive mascot.)

Citysearch’s revenues are down due to the implementation of a relaunch of the site and new ad serving platform. User registrations and reviews were up for the quarter.

 

Thu 5 Feb 2009

Ask.com Parent IAC Sees Disappointing Revenues, Plans Vertical Search Strategy

Posted by Admin under Ask: Revenues, Latest Info

Ask.com parent IAC this week reported a $156.2 million net loss for 2008, or $1.08 loss per share. For Q4 2008, IAC reported $227.4 million in net income, or $1.57 per share. Not counting several write-downs for underperforming assets, adjusted net income came in at $265.5 million for the year, of which $249.6 million was reported in Q4 alone.

Media and advertising revenues, which include Ask.com, Dictionary.com and Citysearch, fell 19 percent year-to-year to $183.7 million. IAC attributes that to a “de-emphasis of relationships with certain partners,” as well as fewer overall queries. It was offset by higher revenues per query, however.

The company said search ad prices dropped 8 to 12 percent during the period, and it expects media and ad revenue to decline by more than 20 percent this quarter.

Instead of attempting to take on Google head-on, Ask.com will follow a vertical search strategy, which kicked off last month with deal where Ask will power the search experience on NASCAR.com, provide a NASCAR toolbar, and sponsor a car. IAC plans to roll out from 8 to 10 similar relationships this year.