Ziff Davis, Inc
Ziff Davis is a U.S.-based digital media and internet company organized around a portfolio of online brands in technology, shopping, gaming and entertainment, health and wellness, connectivity, cybersecurity, and martech. Its businesses combine editorial content, audience tools, broadband intelligence products, and cloud-based software services sold to consumers and businesses.
Fiscal year 2025 · change from previous year
Development 2020–2025
Business
Share of revenueOwned-and-operated websites and apps that publish editorial content, reviews, and tools.
Display, video, and performance-based advertising sold across owned and third-party channels.
Consumer and business subscriptions, software licenses, and related support services.
Broadband intelligence, network performance analytics, and wi-fi planning products.
Cloud-based security, privacy, and marketing technology software and services.
Customers
Ziff Davis sells to a mix of consumers, advertisers, software users, broadband operators, and enterprises. Consumers use its editorial sites, subscriptions, and security/privacy products, while businesses buy advertising inventory, SaaS tools, broadband analytics, and martech solutions. Customer demand is tied to audience traffic, software utility, and the ability of the company’s brands to attract and retain users.
Buy subscriptions, digital content, VPN, backup, and privacy tools for personal use.
Buy display, video, and performance marketing placements across owned media properties.
Buy cybersecurity, email security, and marketing technology tools to protect and grow operations.
Buy network intelligence, wi-fi planning, and performance analytics products.
Distribute cybersecurity and martech products where direct customer visibility is limited.
Strategy
Ziff Davis focuses on expanding its portfolio through product improvement, new offerings, acquisitions, and continued sales and marketing investment. The company also emphasizes monetizing trusted content and software brands across multiple verticals, which helps diversify revenue sources and reduce reliance on any single audience or product line.
Acquisitions broaden the brand portfolio and add new monetization channels.
Better content and tools support audience growth and advertiser demand.
Multiple channels improve reach and reduce dependence on any single source.
Recurring software and licensing revenue can diversify the media business mix.
Geography
2025Ziff Davis is headquartered in the United States and operates a business with both domestic and international customers. The company discloses cash and investments held in domestic and foreign jurisdictions, indicating some overseas operating exposure, but the core business remains centered on U.S.-based brands and global online distribution. Geography matters because advertising demand, data privacy rules, currency movements, and broadband/cybersecurity adoption can vary by market.
Share of the revenue the company reports by geography.
Risks
Ziff Davis depends heavily on digital advertising, search traffic, and the continued appeal of its content and software brands, so changes in audience behavior or advertiser budgets can affect demand. The company also faces cybersecurity, AI content misuse, tax, legal, and debt-related risks, along with competition from large internet platforms and specialized software vendors.
- Dependence on short-term advertising arrangementsImpact: HighLikelihood: Medium
Digital media revenue can fall if advertisers cut budgets or audience traffic weakens.
Exposure - Search engine traffic dependenceImpact: HighLikelihood: Medium
Many brands rely on search referrals, so algorithm changes can reduce visits and monetization.
Exposure: Owned-and-operated media properties
- Cybersecurity and system failuresImpact: HighLikelihood: Medium
The company operates online services and data-driven products that require reliable systems.
Exposure - Leverage and debt servicingImpact: HighLikelihood: Medium
Outstanding debt requires cash for interest, refinancing, and covenant management.
Exposure: Corporate liquidity and capital allocation
- AI-related content and IP infringementImpact: MediumLikelihood: Medium
Unauthorized use of content by AI developers or users could impair content value and rights.
Exposure: Digital media brands and proprietary content
- Competition from large platforms and niche peersImpact: MediumLikelihood: Medium
Alphabet, Meta, and specialized media/software rivals compete for users, advertisers, and customers.
Exposure: All segments
Accounting
Judgemental itemsAdvertising, subscriptions, licenses, and other services are recognized differently and affect quarterly comparability.
Impact: Timing of revenue and margin recognition
Reported customer counts include quarterly averages and resellers may count as one customer, affecting KPI interpretation.
Impact: Subscription and licensing operating metrics
Acquisitions create goodwill and intangibles that require periodic impairment testing.
Impact: Non-cash charges and segment profitability
International operations and foreign cash balances can create translation and transaction effects.
Impact: Reported earnings and balance sheet values
Outstanding debt affects interest expense, refinancing risk, and liquidity disclosures.
Impact: Cash flow and leverage analysis
Similar listed companies
Publicly listed companies with a comparable business focus.
ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.
CNET · Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc.
BuzzFeed, Inc.
BZFDW · Communications Services, NEC
Zhihu Inc.
ZH · Services-Business Services, NEC
Givbux, Inc.
GBUX · Services-Business Services, NEC
Zeta Global Holdings Corp.
ZETA · Services-Prepackaged Software
IZEA Worldwide, Inc.
IZEA · Services-Advertising
Last updated: 24/09/2026