LinkExchange

In today's article we are going to explore the exciting world of LinkExchange. From its origins to its relevance today, we will delve into all aspects related to LinkExchange. Throughout history, LinkExchange has played a fundamental role in society, impacting various areas such as culture, economy and politics. Through this article, we will discover the importance of LinkExchange and how it has evolved over time. Get ready to immerse yourself in a fascinating journey through LinkExchange!
The LinkExchange logo, circa 1998.

LinkExchange was a popular Internet advertising cooperative, similar in function to a webring, originally known as Internet Link Exchange or ILE.

It was founded in March 1996 by 23-year-old Harvard graduates Tony Hsieh (who later went on to invest in and become the CEO of Zappos) and Sanjay Madan. Ali Partovi later joined them as a third partner in August 1996. Alfred Lin dropped out of his Stanford PhD program to join as CFO. In November 1996, when the company consisted of about 10 people, it moved from Hsieh's and Madan's living room to an office in San Francisco. In May 1997, the company received US$3 million in funding from Sequoia Capital.

In June 1998, LinkExchange acquired MerchantPlanet, an early shopping cart and credit card application. That same month it also acquired Submit It! Inc., developers of Submit It!, ClickTrade, and ListBot.

A LinkExchange in-house advertising banner, circa 1998.

In November 1998, when LinkExchange had 100 employees, it was acquired by Microsoft for US$265 million.

LinkExchange stopped taking new applications on November 15, 2006. On June 4, 2007 it stopped serving banners.

References

  1. ^ Ni, Perla (May 27, 1999). "The American Dream: Running Your Own Show" (PDF). AsianWeek.
  2. ^ "Ali Partovi on LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Alfred Lin Has The Midas Touch: The Man With $2 Billion In Acquisitions Under His Belt". TechCrunch. 28 July 2009. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
  4. ^ "Company Info". LinkExchange.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 1998.
  5. ^ LinkExchange: King of Niche and Reach. Hayden Books. 1998. ISBN 1-56830-414-5. Archived from the original on 2008-07-25. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)[infringing link?]
  6. ^ "LinkExchange buys e-commerce site". Advertising Age. June 22, 1998.
  7. ^ "LinkExchange Acquires Submit It!". ClickZ. June 24, 1998.
  8. ^ "Microsoft Buys LinkExchange For About $250 Million in Stock". Wall Street Journal. November 5, 1998.
  9. ^ "Bios: Tony HsieL". Zappos.com.
  10. ^ "Microsoft's bCentral LinkExchange Banner Network Shuts Down". Archived from the original on 2011-11-02.
Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia