View source for Lycos

{{Short description|Search engine and web portal}}
{{about|the search engine|the former corporation Terra Lycos|Terra Networks}}
{{Infobox website
| name = Lycos, Inc.
| logo = Lycos logo.png
| screenshot = Lycos screenshot.png
| screenshot_size = 250
| caption = A screenshot of Lycos.com as of 2015
| company_type = [[Subsidiary]] 
| website_type = [[Search engine]] and [[web portal]]
| language = Multilingual
| foundation = {{start date and age|1994|5}}<br />[[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| location = [[Waltham, Massachusetts]], United States
| founder = [[Michael Loren Mauldin]]
| parent = Brightcom Group
| url = {{URL|https://www.lycos.com/}}
| registration = Optional
| launch_date = {{start date and age|1995|4|13}}
| current_status = Active
}}
'''Lycos, Inc.''' (stylized as '''LYCOS'''), a subsidiary of Brightcom Group, offers a [[search engine]], [[web portal]], chat service, [[domain name]] registration service, and email client. The company also owns [[Tripod (web hosting)|Tripod]] and [[Angelfire]]. It was established in 1994 as a [[university spin-off]] from [[Carnegie Mellon University]].

The name "Lycos" is short for "Lycosidae", which is the [[Latin name]] of [[wolf spider]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.searchenginewatch.com/2003/10/08/whats-in-a-search-engines-name/ |title=What's In A (Search Engine's) Name? |last=Sherman |first=Chris |date=October 8, 2003 | work=[[Search Engine Watch]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103053032/http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/news/2063925/whats-in-a-search-engines-name |archive-date=2015-01-03 | url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
Lycos began in May 1994 as a research project by [[Michael Loren Mauldin]] of [[Carnegie Mellon University]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~scsnews/jun20-95.html | title=Pittsburgh Company Established Using Lycos Internet Catalog Technology | work=[[Carnegie Mellon University]] | date=20 June 1995}}</ref> Lycos was funded with approximately US$2 million in [[venture capital]] funding from [[CMGI]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-VCDB-7705 | title=The Daily Start-Up: Buy Lycos And Save 99.7%! | first=Scott | last=Austin | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | date=August 17, 2010 | url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/lycos-up-as-cmg-looks-to-unload/ | title=Lycos up as CMG looks to unload | first=Dawn | last=Kawamoto | work=[[CNET]] | date=March 6, 1998}}</ref>

[[Bob Davis (businessman)|Bob Davis]] became the CEO and first employee of the new company in 1995.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.internethistorypodcast.com/2015/01/lycos-founder-and-ceo-bob-davis/ | title=Chapter 4, Supplemental 9 – Lycos Founder and CEO Bob Davis | first=Brian | last=McCullough | work=Internet History Podcast | date= January 26, 2015}}</ref> He concentrated on building the company into an advertising-supported [[web portal]], led by [[Bill Townsend]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.observer-reporter.com/business/2016/jun/05/looking-for-the-next-business-success-local-native-bill-townsend-planning-to-start-a-sports-revolution/ | title=Looking for the next business success Local native Bill Townsend planning to start a sports revolution | work=[[Observer–Reporter]] | date=June 5, 2016}}</ref>

In April 1996, the company completed the fastest [[initial public offering]] from inception to offering in [[NASDAQ]]  history, ending its first day of trading with a market value of $300 million. It also became the first search engine to become a  public company, before rivals [[Yahoo!]] and [[Excite (web portal)|Excite]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/lycos-ipo-bodes-well-for-net-stock/ |title=Lycos IPO bodes well for Net stock | work=[[CNET]] | date=April 3, 1996}}</ref>

In May 1997, the company formed Lycos Europe, a joint venture with [[Bertelsmann]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.wired.com/1997/05/lycos-bertelsmann-unite-in-europe/ | title=Lycos, Bertelsmann Unite in Europe | work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | date=May 12, 1997}}</ref>

Lycos began offering [[e-mail]] services in October 1997.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/yahoo-buys-four11-for-free-email/ |title=Yahoo buys Four11 for free email |last=Pelline |first=Jeff | work=[[CNET]]  | date=October 8, 1997}}</ref>

That year, it became one of the first profitable [[Internet]] businesses.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB882392974998332500 | title=Lycos Backs Forecast of Profits In Second Quarter of Fiscal 1998 | first=Joelle | last=Tessler | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | date=December 17, 1997 | url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In February 1998, Lycos acquired [[Tripod.com]] for $58 million.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB886470477499634000 | title=Lycos Acquires Tripod In $58 Million Stock Deal | first=Nick | last=Wingfield | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | date=February 3, 1998 | url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In March 1998, Lycos paid $4 million for a 9% stake in GlobeComm, which powered its free email service.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/lycos-buys-stake-in-e-mail-partner | title=Lycos buys stake in e-mail partner | work=[[MarketWatch]] | date=March 26, 1998 | url-access=limited}}</ref>

In August 1998, Lycos acquired WhoWhere for $133 million in stock.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lycos-to-buy-whowhere/ | title=Lycos To Buy WhoWhere | work=[[CBS News]] | date=August 11, 1998}}</ref>

In October 1998, the company acquired the digital assets of ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' for $83 million in stock after the print version of the magazine was sold to Advance Magazine Publishers.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.wired.com/1998/10/lycos-acquires-wired-digital/ | title=Lycos Acquires Wired Digital | work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | date=October 6, 1998}}</ref> The deal also included [[Hotbot]]<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/hotbot-is-heart-of-lycos-deal/ | title=HotBot is heart of Lycos deal | first=Jim | last=Hu | work=[[CNET]] | date=October 6, 1998}}</ref> and WebMonkey, which was shut in 2004 but relaunched in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wired-buys-back-hotwired-and-webmonkey-too-relaunches-latter/ | title=Wired Buys Back HotWired and Webmonkey Too; Relaunches Latter | work=[[CBS News]] | date=May 19, 2008}}</ref>

In a brief surge in April 1999, the website was visited by 52% of all internet users, which was more than the reach of [[Yahoo]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/1999/04/22/mu1.html | title=Lycos' alleged traffic growth raises eyebrows | work=[[Forbes]] | date=April 22, 1999 | url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB980895463339062681 | title=Tension at Top Threatens Outlook for Terra Lycos | first=David | last=Armstrong | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | date=January 31, 2001 | url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In 1999, the company abandoned its internal search technology and outsourced search technology to [[AlltheWeb]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.searchenginewatch.com/2003/03/04/where-are-they-now-search-engines-weve-known-loved/ | title=Where Are They Now? Search Engines We've Known & Loved | first=Danny | last=Sullivan | work=[[Search Engine Watch]] | date=March 4, 2003}}</ref>

In April 1999, Lycos launched an [[internet radio]] service.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/business/1999/08/07/lycos-to-acquire-maker-on/50519613007/ | title=Lycos to acquire maker of on-line music player | work=[[The Standard-Times (New Bedford)|The Standard-Times]] | date=August 7, 1999}}</ref>

In September 1999, the company acquired [[Quote.com]] for $78 million in stock.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/09/business/company-news-lycos-to-buy-stock-quote-service-for-its-web-site.html | title=COMPANY NEWS; LYCOS TO BUY STOCK QUOTE SERVICE FOR ITS WEB SITE | agency=[[Associated Press]] | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=September 9, 1999 | url-access=limited}}</ref>

In November 1999, Lycos acquired [[Gamesville]] for $207 million in stock.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.wired.com/1999/11/lycos-acquires-gamesville-com/ | title=Lycos Acquires Gamesville.com | agency=[[Reuters]]  | work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | date=November 30, 1999}}</ref>

In December 1999, the company formed Lycos Asia, a $50 million joint venture with [[Singtel]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/internet-daily-asia-lycos-asia-goes-live-in-singapore | title=Lycos Asia goes live in Singapore | work=[[MarketWatch]] | date=December 9, 1999}}</ref>

In June 2000, Lycos acquired [[Matchmaker.com]] for $44 million in cash.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/lycos-to-buy-matchmaker-com-for-44-million/ | title=Lycos to buy Matchmaker.com for $44 million | work=[[CNET]] | date=June 26, 2000}}</ref> it was sold in February 2006.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.onlinepersonalswatch.com/news/2006/02/avalanche_llc_d.html | title=Avalanche LLC (Date.com) Acquires Matchmaker.com | date=February 27, 2006}}</ref>

In July 2000, Lycos began using [[Microsoft Windows 2000]] software and [[Intel]] processors to power its platform.<ref>{{Cite press release | url=https://news.microsoft.com/source/2000/07/27/e-business-solutions-advance-with-microsoft-intel-and-lycos/ | title=E-Business Solutions Advance With Microsoft, Intel and Lycos | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | date=July 27, 2000}}</ref>

In October 2000, near the peak of the [[dot-com bubble]], Lycos was acquired by [[Terra Networks]], a division of {{Lang|es|[[Telefónica]]|italic=no}}, for $12.5 billion and was renamed Terra Lycos.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/2000/05/16/europe/terra/ |title=Lycos in $12.5B deal |first=David |last=Kleinbard |work=[[CNN]] | date=May 16, 2000}}</ref>

In January 2001, the company acquired [[RagingBull.com]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jan-31-fi-19196-story.html | title=Terra Lycos Buys Raging Bull | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=January 31, 2001}}</ref>

In October 2002, the company acquired GetRelevant.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/10/08/On-the-Net-with-UPI/9881034049600/ | title=TERRA LYCOS ACQUIRES GETRELEVANT | work=[[United Press International]] | date=October 8, 2002}}</ref>

In October 2004, Terra sold Lycos to Daum Communications Corporation, now [[Kakao]], for $95.4 million in cash, less than 2% of Terra's initial multibillion-dollar investment.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.infoworld.com/article/2205621/terra-lycos-sells-lycos-to-daum-for-105-million.html | title=Terra Lycos sells Lycos to Daum for $105 million | work=[[InfoWorld]] | date=August 2, 2004}}</ref>

In July 2006, the company sold the digital assets of [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] to [[Condé Nast Publications]] which remerged it with the print version of the magazine.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.infoworld.com/article/2167365/lycos-sells-wired-news.html | title=Lycos sells Wired News | first=Steven | last=Schwankert | work=[[InfoWorld]] | date=July 12, 2006}}</ref>

In February 2006, Lycos sold [[Quote.com]] and [[RagingBull.com]] to FT Interactive Data Corporation for $30 million.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/interactive-data-agrees-to-buy-quotecom-from-lycos-for-30m | title=Interactive Data agrees to buy Quote.com from Lycos for $30M | first=Gabriel | last=Madway | work=[[MarketWatch]] | date=February 1, 2006 | url-access=limited}}</ref>

In March 2006, Lycos introduced phone call services, including video chat, real-time video on demand, and an MP3 player.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-27-fi-phones27-story.html | title=Lycos, Jajah Launch Internet Phone Call Services Today | agency=[[Associated Press]] | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=March 27, 2006}}</ref>

In November 2006, Lycos introduced Lycos Cinema.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://arstechnica.com/business/2006/11/8209/ | title=Lycos Cinema ties chat to movies; content library, technical details disappoint | first=ANDERS | last=BYLUND | work=[[Ars Technica]] | date=November 13, 2006}}</ref>

In February 2007, Lycos Mix was launched, allowing users to pull video clips from [[YouTube]], [[Google Video]], [[Yahoo! Video]] and [[MySpace]] Video and allowed users to create playlists where other users could add video comments and chat in real-time.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cnet.com/uk/news/lycos-mix-fails-to-stir/ | title=Lycos Mix fails to stir | first=Josh | last=Lowensohn | work=[[CNET]] | date=February 8, 2007}}</ref>

Lycos was sold for $36 million in August 2010 to Ybrant Digital, an [[Internet marketing]] company based in [[Hyderabad, India]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ybrant-buys-lycos-for-36-million-100870919.html |title=Ybrant Digital Buys Lycos for $36 Million | publisher=[[PR Newswire]] | date=August 16, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100816005874/en/Ybrant-Digital-Buys-Lycos-36-Million | title=Ybrant Buys Lycos for $36 Million | publisher=[[Business Wire]] | date=August 16, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cnet.com/news/lycos-is-alive-acquired-for-36-million/ | title=Lycos is alive, acquired for $36 million | first=Don | last=Reisinger | work=[[CNET]] | date=August 16, 2010}}</ref> Ybrant Digital paid $20 million at signing and there was a legal dispute over magnitude of the second installment between Ybrant and Daum. In 2018, a New York court ruled in favor of Daum and appointed Daum (by then merged with [[Kakao]]) as receiver of Ybrant's 56% ownership interest in Lycos.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/1570905/Daum_Global_Holdings_Corp_v_Ybrant_Digital_Limited_et_al |title=Daum Global Holdings Corp. v. Ybrant Digital Limited et al |website=pacermonitor.com |date=May 8, 2018}}</ref>

In May 2012, Rob Balazy was named CEO.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2012/05/07/robert-rob-balazy-appointed-ceo-lycos/znExR2XDhUsRo860ew4IlL/story.html | title=Rob Balazy appointed CEO of Lycos  | first=Chris | last=Reidy | work=[[The Boston Globe]] | date=May 7, 2012}}</ref>

In June 2015, Lycos announced the Band and Ring wearable devices.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/6/4/8729279/lycos-smart-band-ring-wearables-announced |title=The web portal Lycos is releasing a smart band and smart ring |last=Kastrenakes |first=Jacob  |work=[[The Verge]] |date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>

In October 2016, Lycos sold the HotBot.com [[domain name]] for $155,000.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://domainnamewire.com/2016/10/04/lycos-sells-hotbot-com-155000/ | title=Lycos sells HotBot.com for $155,000 | first=Andrew | last=Allemann | work=Domain Name Wire | date=October 4, 2016}}</ref>

The parent company of Lycos, YBrant Digital, was renamed Brightcom Group in May 2018.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/lycos-rechristened-brightcom/article23857164.ece | title = Lycos rechristened Brightcom | work=[[Business Line]] | date=11 May 2018}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Internet}}
* [[List of search engines]]
* [[Comparison of search engines]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}

{{Web search engines}}
{{Kakao}}
{{Dot-com Bubble}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1994 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:1996 initial public offerings]]
[[Category:2000 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:2004 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1994]]
[[Category:Carnegie Mellon University software]]
[[Category:Companies based in Waltham, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq]]
[[Category:Dot-com bubble]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 1994]]
[[Category:Internet search engines]]
[[Category:Kakao]]
[[Category:Online mass media companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Technology companies based in the Boston area]]
[[Category:University spin-offs]]
[[Category:Web 1.0]]
[[Category:Web portals]]
[[Category:Webmail]]