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Info.com

Info.com is an online platform that functions as a meta-search engine while also providing curated articles, news, and practical advice on topics including business, , , and .
Launched in 2004, Info.com was developed to aggregate and deliver search results from multiple leading engines such as , Yahoo!, , and others, aiming to offer users more comprehensive and relevant outcomes than single-engine searches.
Headquartered in , , and owned by System1—a advertising and technology company—through its subsidiary Holdings LLC since 2016, the platform has evolved to emphasize high-quality, editorially reviewed content created by a team of freelance and staff writers, along with subject matter experts.
This dual focus on search aggregation and informational resources has positioned Info.com as a versatile tool for users seeking both quick web queries and in-depth guidance, with notable expansions including an app available in and integrations for enhanced mobile search experiences.

Overview

Description

Info.com is a that aggregates and synthesizes search results from multiple underlying providers, such as and , to deliver a consolidated view of relevant . This approach enables users to access a broader spectrum of information without relying on a single source, emphasizing speed and comprehensiveness in query responses. The primary purpose of Info.com is to provide fast, straightforward web search results while maintaining simplicity in its , supported by an ad-based model integrated with strategies from its parent company, System1. It focuses on unbiased aggregation to help users find information efficiently across general web queries, news, and directories, without favoring any one engine's output. Currently available through an English-language interface at www.info.com, the platform supports searches on desktop and mobile, including an app tailored for users in . Over time, Info.com has evolved into a hybrid service that combines core search functionality with curated editorial content on business and technology topics, such as guides to optimizing Business Profiles and building no-code mobile apps.

Technology

Info.com operates as a metasearch engine, aggregating search results from multiple underlying search providers to deliver a unified interface to users, primarily from major engines such as Google and Bing as of 2025. Queries entered into Info.com are simultaneously dispatched to several search engines, allowing for broad coverage of web content. The system then collects these results, applies deduplication algorithms to remove redundant entries across sources, and employs proprietary ranking mechanisms to prioritize outputs based on relevance, freshness, and user intent signals derived from query patterns. This architecture ensures comprehensive results without maintaining an independent web crawler or index, reducing operational overhead while enhancing result diversity. At the core of Info.com's backend is a classification engine integrated within System1's Responsive Acquisition Platform (RAMP), which interprets unstructured search queries to discern for purposes. This engine leverages models trained on first-party aggregate data from over 600 million monthly queries as of 2022 to categorize intent into verticals such as , , , and , enabling precise ad targeting without relying on individual user tracking or third-party cookies. By analyzing query semantics and contextual signals, the system facilitates responsive advertising that aligns with inferred interests, supporting System1's omni-channel monetization strategy across its owned properties. Quantitative scale is evident in the platform's processing of 6 billion rows of daily first-party data as of 2022 to refine classifications, ensuring high ROI for advertisers through intent-based matching. The technology stack also supports content delivery by generating concise, trend-driven articles tailored to popular search categories, particularly in and sectors. This integration bridges search functionality with , allowing Info.com to expand user engagement while feeding intent data back into RAMP for iterative improvements. The approach emphasizes , with the system handling 20 million daily content recommendations across System1's ecosystem as of 2022. Privacy is a foundational aspect of Info.com's technology, aligned with System1's privacy-centric model that avoids collection during searches. The metasearch process operates solely on anonymized query aggregates, honoring do-not-track signals and complying with regulations like GDPR and CCPA by not storing or sharing individual user histories. This design enables intent inference for marketing without invasive tracking, relying instead on contextual and behavioral patterns from non-identifiable traffic to power the classification and ad delivery systems. As a result, Info.com positions itself as a user-friendly alternative in an era of increasing privacy concerns, processing queries without compromising .

History

Founding and Early Development

Info.com was launched on October 18, 2004, with initial funding of $8 million from angel investors, as a meta-search engine designed to aggregate and combine results from multiple leading search providers, offering users a unified gateway to web content. The platform initially drew top links from sources including Google, Yahoo, Ask Jeeves, Inktomi, and AltaVista, alongside sponsored results, to streamline searches across general web queries. From its inception, Info.com emphasized specialized features, such as a comparison-shopping powered by and a search integrated with results from Topix.net, which included Google ad links. These early partnerships highlighted the company's focus on capabilities, providing users with targeted information beyond basic web results. Co-founded by Stephen Scarr, who served as CEO, Info.com relocated its headquarters from to Chicago's during its startup phase, operating with a small team of three employees in the U.S. and nine in the U.K. This move supported initial operational growth, positioning the company to expand its aggregated search model in the competitive early-2000s landscape.

Acquisition and Integration with System1

In July 2016, System1, then operating as OpenMail LLC, acquired substantially all assets of LLC from Blucora Inc. for $45 million in cash, including the Info.com brand alongside other search properties such as , , and . This transaction marked Info.com's transition from an independent under to a key component of System1's expanding digital portfolio. Following the acquisition, System1 shifted its strategy toward an customer acquisition model, integrating Info.com into a broader ecosystem of search properties including and to optimize user traffic monetization. This integration emphasized responsive acquisition marketing powered by and , with Info.com contributing to enhanced revenue through search —purchasing low-cost traffic and redirecting it to higher-yield advertising networks. Key post-acquisition developments included Info.com's expansion into markets in 2020, where it secured a prominent slot on Google's search choice screen across all 31 countries, enabling default search partnerships on new devices and boosting regional user adoption. Around 2021, Info.com launched a dedicated publishing initiative, producing SEO-optimized articles on topics like , , and to drive organic traffic and complement its core search functionality, with all undergoing editorial and expert review for accuracy. System1's public listing in 2022, achieved through a SPAC merger with Trebia Acquisition Corp. valued at approximately $1.4 billion, further supported Info.com's growth by providing capital for scaled investments and portfolio expansion. The combined entity began trading on the under the ticker SST on January 28, 2022, enhancing System1's ability to invest in AI-driven innovations across its properties, including Info.com.

Features and Services

Core Search Capabilities

Info.com functions primarily as a , aggregating and compiling search results from multiple underlying search providers to deliver a unified set of outcomes for user queries. This approach enables general web search by querying sources such as , , , and others, without maintaining its own independent index, thereby providing broad coverage across diverse content types. In addition to standard web searches, Info.com supports specialized query handling for news aggregation, drawing from syndicated feeds and search partners to compile timely articles and updates in response to relevant terms. Directory services are integrated through partnerships with sponsored directories and listings providers, facilitating business searches that include contact details, locations, and categories akin to traditional functionality. These search types are processed in , with queries routed simultaneously to selected engines for efficiency. Results are presented in a single, ranked list that combines organic links from various sources, with clear attribution to the originating engine or site for transparency. Ad placements appear prominently within the results, often as sponsored links at the top or interspersed, supporting the platform's revenue model while maintaining a clean, navigable interface. Quick links to related content, such as images or further refinements, enhance usability, and the layout adapts to devices for optimized viewing on smaller screens. The monetization model relies on an ad-supported structure, primarily through mechanisms where advertisers bid on keywords, and Info.com earns revenue from clicks on sponsored results. This is augmented by , in which the platform acquires low-cost traffic and redirects it to high-value ad partners like or , capitalizing on revenue differentials without direct content indexing. Users benefit from rapid load times due to the lightweight aggregation process, extensive coverage from aggregated sources, and accessibility without requiring account creation or login.

Browser Plugins and Mobile Integration

Info.com provides browser search plugins that enable users to integrate its metasearch capabilities directly into popular web browsers. As of 2016, an official search plugin was available for Mozilla Firefox and compatible browsers like , facilitating quick web searches from the browser's address or search bar without needing to visit the Info.com website. While historical references indicate similar plugins for and (previously ), as of 2025, no official browser plugins are actively promoted or listed on the Info.com website or major browser extension stores, suggesting a shift toward web-based access. These plugins historically supported one-click searches and quick access to categorized results, such as travel and shopping, enhancing user convenience for everyday queries. On the mobile front, Info.com offers an app available exclusively in through the Google Play Store, providing a (PWA) experience that supports offline-capable searches and improved performance on mobile devices. The PWA format allows seamless installation and use without a native app download, emphasizing accessibility for European users seeking metasearch functionality on the go. This mobile offering integrates with Android's ecosystem, enabling users to set Info.com as a preferred search option for app-based queries. Starting in March 2020, Info.com gained prominence through its inclusion in the European Union's mandated choice screen for default search engines on new Android devices, a result of antitrust measures against Google. Initially, as part of this remedy, Info.com was one of four selectable options—alongside Google, DuckDuckGo, and PrivacyWall—during device setup across all 31 European Economic Area markets. Following updates in 2021 that eliminated auctions and opened participation, and the introduction of a new DMA-compliant screen in 2024 featuring the top 8 ranked search engines ordered randomly, Info.com's ongoing inclusion is uncertain given its niche market position. This initial partnership with Google boosted visibility and adoption without requiring pre-installation by manufacturers, allowing users to designate Info.com as the default search provider and supporting location-aware features like GPS-based recommendations tied to search results in compatible apps.

Operations and Impact

Ownership Structure

Info.com operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of System1, Inc. (NYSE: SST), a publicly traded omnichannel marketing technology company founded in 2013 under the name OpenMail. System1 acquired Info.com in 2016 as part of its purchase of Infospace and related assets, integrating it fully into its portfolio of owned and operated websites. System1's ownership structure features significant influence from and insiders. As of late 2023, firms held approximately 49% of shares, with Cannae Holdings, Inc. as the largest stakeholder at around 33.7%. Insiders controlled about 25% of the company, including notable individual holders such as Bill Foley with 4.8% and Charles Ursini with 4.7%. Governance for Info.com falls under System1's corporate , with no separate independent board dedicated to the . Info.com's operations, centered on services and , are managed by a specialized team reporting to System1's executive leadership. The parent company is headquartered at 4235 Redwood Avenue in , , overseeing strategic decisions, including those related to Info.com's integration within System1's broader ecosystem. Financially, Info.com is reported within System1's Search segment in SEC filings, which encompasses owned and operated properties generating through search and ad partnerships. In 2024, this segment's owned and operated websites, including Info.com, contributed $281.9 million in from 7.183 billion sessions, via ad spend strategies. Overall, System1's —largely driven by such advertising expenditures—totaled $191.6 million for the year, reflecting the scale of operations across its search properties.

Market Position and Usage Statistics

Info.com has maintained a niche position in the search engine market since its early years, with historical indicating 13.5 million unique monthly visitors in August 2016, placing it 10th globally among search engines at that time. As of September 2025, the site ranks 83rd in the search engines category and 35,279th globally, reflecting its status as a smaller player amid consolidation in the industry. In the competitive landscape, Info.com operates as a that aggregates results from major providers while emphasizing ad-supported monetization through an model, buying low-cost traffic and redirecting it for higher ad revenue yields. This differentiates it from dominant players like , which holds approximately 90% of the global search as of October 2025, and privacy-focused alternatives such as and . Unlike those competitors, Info.com prioritizes revenue generation over user data protection features. The platform contributes to its parent company System1's overall performance, which reported quarterly revenues exceeding $200 million in , driven by its and products segments including search properties like Info.com. By 2025, System1's quarterly has declined to around $60-75 million, partly due to segment challenges, though synergies across its help sustain operations; for example, Q3 2025 was $61.6 million. Notable trends include boosted non-U.S. adoption through a 2020 agreement making Info.com one of four default search options on devices in the , enhancing its visibility in the region following EU antitrust remedies against . Info.com faces ongoing challenges from Google's overwhelming dominance, which has led to declining standalone visibility for smaller engines, though integration within System1's broader ad tech ecosystem provides offsetting synergies through diversified traffic monetization.

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