The Internet's Hidden Profit: When You Check Your Speed, Another Company Might Be Making Money
Have you ever wondered who's profiting when you check your internet speed or whether your favorite site is down? Well, get this: Ziff Davis just sold its Connectivity division, which includes Ookla's Speedtest and Downdetector, to Accenture for a staggering $1.2 billion. But here's where it gets interesting. Ziff Davis bought Ookla for just $15 million in 2014. So, how did they make such a massive return on investment?
According to Reuters, the deal allows Ziff Davis to focus on its core brands like IGN, Mashable, and Everyday Health. But it's not just about consolidation. Ziff Davis has been downsizing its gaming publications, laying off experienced editors and entire video teams. VG247, for example, has been reduced to a small, two-person gaming guides site. So, what does this mean for Speedtest and Downdetector?
Accenture, a global technology consulting company, sees this acquisition as a key step in building "end-to-end network intelligence services essential for AI-based transformation." But what does that really mean for you and me? Well, for now, Ziff Davis will continue to operate Speedtest and Downdetector. But as the deal is finalized, it's likely that these services will continue to evolve, potentially in ways that benefit Accenture's business interests. So, the next time you check your internet speed, remember that someone else might be making money off your curiosity.
