Search Engine Journal

Compete has been acquired by TNS (Taylor Nelson Sofres plc) for $75 million, adding the Compete analytics and web traffic tracking suite to its current digital offerings.

A rather respected alternative to Alexa, Compete conducts analysis of Internet clickstream data as tacked by over 2 million people, who serve as a sample of the US online population.

Compete also runs Compete Search Analytics (See ad on left of site).

The output information is useful for competitive intelligence information and tracking demographic and behavioral web usage. :

This information is used to measure how consumers consider, engage with and buy a client’s products or services online, relative to those of its competition. This ability to analyse online behaviour before a purchase is made enables Compete to advise clients on how to target online communications to individual consumers, to influence both their online and offline purchasing behavior.

Compete’s revenue for the year ended 31 December 2007 was $14.9 million, over 50 per cent higher than in the previous year. Gross assets at that date were $11.2 million. The company made a loss of $4.5 million in 2007, as it invested in building its panel and industry expertise. Dependent on the achievement of demanding revenue performance targets, deferred cash payments will be payable in 2008-2010, up to a maximum of $75 million.