About.com

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About.com was an online resource that provided a wide range of content on various topics, including health, technology, travel, and more. It was known for its extensive library of articles written by experts in their respective fields. The site was founded in 1996 by Scott Kurnit and was initially called The Mining Company. It was later rebranded as About.com in 1999.

History[edit | edit source]

About.com was launched in 1996 as The Mining Company, with the goal of providing a comprehensive guide to the internet. The site employed "Guides," who were experts in specific topics, to curate and create content. In 1999, the site was rebranded as About.com, and it quickly became one of the most popular websites on the internet.

In 2005, About.com was acquired by The New York Times Company for $410 million. Under the ownership of The New York Times, About.com continued to grow and expand its content offerings. However, in 2012, the site was sold to IAC/InterActiveCorp for $300 million.

In 2017, About.com underwent a major transformation. The site was rebranded as Dotdash, and its content was divided into several vertical brands, such as Verywell for health and wellness, The Spruce for home and food, and Lifewire for technology.

Content and Features[edit | edit source]

About.com was known for its "Guide" model, where each topic was managed by an expert who curated and created content. This model allowed for a wide range of topics to be covered in depth. The site offered articles, how-to guides, videos, and more.

The content on About.com was organized into categories such as Health, Home, Tech, Money, Travel, and more. Each category had its own set of Guides who were responsible for maintaining the quality and accuracy of the information.

Impact and Legacy[edit | edit source]

About.com was one of the first major content sites on the internet and played a significant role in shaping how information was presented online. Its model of using experts to create content was influential and has been adopted by many other sites.

The rebranding to Dotdash marked the end of About.com as a single entity, but its legacy continues through the various vertical brands that emerged from it.

Also see[edit | edit source]

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