America Online 2010 Annual Report Download - page 10

Table of Contents
During the third quarter of 2010, we acquired Thing Labs, Inc. We believe this acquisition will provide consumers with additional ways to find and
share content. During the fourth quarter of 2010, we acquired About.me. We believe this acquisition will grow our audience and deepen our engagement with
users by providing a single place for them to keep track of personal profiles from across the web.
Search and Contextual
We offer AOL Search on AOL Properties. We provide our consumers with a general, Internet-based search experience that utilizes Google's organic
web search results and additional links on the search results page that showcase contextually relevant AOL and third-party content and information, as well as
provide a variety of search-related features (such as suggesting related searches to help users further refine their search queries). We also provide our
consumers with relevant paid text-based search advertising through our relationship with Google, in which we provide consumers sponsored link ads in
response to their search queries. In addition, we offer vertical search services (i.e., search within a specific content category) and mobile search services on
AOL Properties.
We also offer contextually relevant advertising that is generated based on the content of the AOL Properties webpage the consumer is viewing. We also
offer MapQuest, a service that provides maps, turn by turn driving directions and other location-based information for consumers around the world. In the
third quarter of 2010, we launched a new MapQuest platform, which simplified the user interface and included enhanced features. In addition, we provide
local directory listings through our AOL Yellow Pages product, which listings are provided by a third party and from which AOL receives a revenue share.
Paid Services
Historically, our primary subscription service has been our subscription access service, including narrow-band (telephone dial-up) access to the Internet.
Moving forward, we seek to develop, test and market additional AOL and third-party subscription products and services that are offered to Internet consumers
generally. Some products or services are offered to access subscribers for no additional charge or at a discounted rate in order to increase customer satisfaction
and retention. Computer tools and maintenance services, online technical support, anti-virus software, identity theft protection, online and social media
privacy and reputation monitoring services, diet fitness services, online learning and other lifestyle services are currently offered on a subscription basis and
additional categories may be added in the future. Consumers will be able to manage their subscription products and services through this platform, including
adding or canceling a subscription. AOL continues to develop and offer other paid services as a way to attract, engage and serve consumers. Currently, the
vast majority of the consumers for our paid services products are also access subscribers.
Distribution of AOL Properties
Content, products and services on AOL Properties are generally available to online consumers and we are focused on attracting greater numbers of
consumers to our offerings. In addition, we utilize various distribution channels as described below which allow us to more directly reach online consumers.
SUBSCRIPTION ACCESS SERVICE
Our AOL-brand subscription access service, which we offer to consumers in the United States for a monthly fee, is a valuable distribution channel for
AOL Properties. As of December 31, 2010, we had 3.9 million AOL-brand access subscribers in the United States.
In addition to our content, products and services that are available to all online consumers, an AOL-brand access subscription provides members with
dial-up access to the Internet and, depending on the applicable price plan, various degrees of enhanced safety and security features, technical support and
other benefits. In addition, we continue to offer Internet access services under the CompuServe and Netscape brands.
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