Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-144630

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 16, 2008

 

 

 

$100,000,000

 

14,947,683 Shares
Common Stock

 

 

Answers Corporation is selling 14,947,683 shares of our common stock. We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,242,152 shares from us to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ANSW.” On January 15, 2008, the last reported sale price for our common stock was $6.69 per share.

 

INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES RISKS. SEE “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE S-16.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus or the accompanying base prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is          , 2008

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. We are offering to sell shares of common stock and seeking offers to buy common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus or any sale of the common stock.

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are part of a “shelf” registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Each time we sell securities under the accompanying base prospectus we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including the price, the amount of securities being offered and the plan of distribution. The shelf registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on August 6, 2007. This prospectus supplement describes the specific details regarding this offering, including the price, the amount of common stock being offered, the risks of investing in our common stock and the underwriting arrangements. The accompanying base prospectus provides general information about us, some of which, such as the section entitled “Plan of Distribution,” may not apply to this offering.

 

If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying base prospectus or the information incorporated by reference, you should rely on this prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus together with the additional information about Answers Corporation to which we refer you in the section of the accompanying base prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

In this prospectus supplement, “Answers,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Answers Corporation and its subsidiary and “Lexico” refers to Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise of the underwriters overallotment option.

 

We use various trademarks and trade names in our business, including without limitation “Answers.com,” “AnswerTips,” “WikiAnswers,” “1-Click Answers,” “AnswerRank” and “Brainboost.” Lexico uses various trademarks and trade names in its business, including without limitation “Dictionary.com,” “Thesaurus.com,” “Reference.com” and “Lexico.” This prospectus supplement also contains trademarks and trade names of other businesses that are the property of their respective holders.

	•	Increased Direct Traffic.  Historically, we have relied heavily on search engines for a substantial portion of the traffic on our Web properties. During the fourth quarter of 2007, we estimate that approximately 65% of our traffic was generated by search engines. Consequently, indexing algorithm changes and other actions taken by search engines can and have caused significant declines in our traffic. During the same period, we believe, based on information provided by Lexico, that approximately 12% of Lexico’s traffic was generated by search engines. As a result, Lexico is less susceptible to the loss of traffic as a result of actions taken by search engines. Based on fourth quarter 2007 data, following the acquisition, we expect that the combined company will have significantly less search engine concentration with approximately 26% of our combined traffic being generated by search engines.
	•	Improved Lexico Traffic Monetization.  Over the last few years we have significantly improved the monetization rates of our Web traffic. Historically, we have monetized our Web traffic more effectively than Lexico, resulting in comparatively greater revenue per page. Since our announcement of the Lexico acquisition, Lexico has significantly improved their monetization rates and we believe that this improvement is due to Lexico’s implementation of many of the same techniques we have utilized to increase our own monetization rates. We believe, based on Lexico’s current monetization practice and rates, that we will be able to further increase Lexico’s revenue per page in the near term.
	•	Reduced Reliance on Traffic from the Google Definition Link.  We estimate that the traffic directed to Answers.com from the definition link appearing on Google’s website search result pages accounted for approximately 10% of the traffic to our Web properties during the fourth quarter of 2007. Following the acquisition of Lexico, we believe the percentage of traffic from the Google definition link will account for less than 5% of our combined traffic.
	•	Increased Growth of the WikiAnswers Community.  The acquisition of Lexico will provide us with additional traffic that we can direct to our WikiAnswers Web property. We believe that this will expand the size, scope and activity of the WikiAnswers community, increasing the overall user value proposition.
	•	Increased Operating Scale and Broadened Portfolio of Web Properties.  The acquisition of Lexico will broaden our portfolio of Web properties, further establishing us as a leading online answer engine. Based on November 2007 comScore data, the addition of Lexico’s Web properties would have increased our unduplicated reach to approximately 27.3 million monthly unique visitors, which would have ranked us number 22 in the top U.S. Web properties. We believe that increasing

	•	Improved Operating Efficiencies.  We expect to benefit from moderate savings on costs and expenses relating to headcount, content and other expenses.

	•	using the proceeds of this offering and the senior secured convertible notes financing to fund the Lexico acquisition on terms and conditions acceptable to the senior notes investor;
	•	granting the senior notes investor a first priority perfected security interest in all of our assets; and
	•	the consummation of the Lexico acquisition before or concurrently with the senior secured convertible notes financing.

	•	Improve Traffic Monetization.  We strive to improve our traffic monetization rates. In August 2006 we began building our direct sales force and in the fourth quarter of 2006 began marketing directly to advertisers. We believe that our direct advertising efforts will be the primary driver of future monetization improvements. In addition, we work with third party ad networks that we believe optimize the average amount of revenue we earn per page view.
	•	Build the WikiAnswers Community.  The WikiAnswers community is a source of continuous content creation. We believe the size of the community drives the quantity of the content, content attracts additional users which in turn grows the community. We believe this cyclical pattern is the major source of growth for WikiAnswers. We intend to accelerate this growth by leveraging Lexico’s user base and further enhancing WikiAnswers by incorporating new features to maximize user experience.
	•	Expand Content.  Content is critical to the success of our business. We plan to continue to offer users high quality, well written, relevant and unique content, which is valued by the user and recognized by the search engine algorithms. Our content strategy includes continuously adding new, rich and unique licensed content as well as proprietary content from our user-generated WikiAnswers community. We also intend to continue offering and enhancing the results and performance of our Answers from the Web natural language search technology.
	•	Strengthen the Answers Brands.  We are pursuing a brand development strategy that includes public relations, product features that encourage word-of-mouth sharing, and direct marketing to enhance public awareness of our Web properties. We believe our branding strategy will help us become the premier online provider of answers on any topic and the leading free destination site for users searching for any type of information.
	•	Enhance the User Experience.  We plan to continually enhance the user experience for visitors to our Web properties and further differentiate our Web properties from other online answer engines. We will continue to develop proprietary technologies, such as our Answers from the Web technology, that we believe will allow us to provide a more robust offering and allow us to provide additional features and functionality that users find valuable.

	•	Seek Future Acquisitions or Strategic Relationships.  We actively seek opportunities to enhance our services, improve our content offerings or grow our user base. We will continue to explore additional acquisition opportunities or strategic relationships that complement our current operations and strategy.

Common stock offered by us		14,947,683 shares
Common stock to be outstanding after this offering		22,807,573 shares
Use of proceeds		We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $93.5 million based on the assumed offering price of $6.69 per share (the last reported sales price of our common stock on January 15, 2008). We intend to apply the net proceeds from this offering to fund the Lexico acquisition. This offering will not be consummated if proceeds sufficient to fund the Lexico acquisition are not raised. See “Use of Proceeds.”
Nasdaq Global Market Symbol		ANSW

		Year Ended December 31,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2006				2005				2007				2006
		(in thousands, except share, per share, page view and RPM data)
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
Revenue		$	7,029			$	2,053			$	8,404			$	4,523
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue			3,406				1,158				3,643				2,336
Research and development			5,865				2,190				2,239				5,209
Sales and marketing			3,253				1,818				3,275				2,244
General and administrative			3,385				3,404				3,003				2,530
Total operating expenses			15,909				8,570				12,160				12,319
Operating loss			(8,880	)			(6,517	)			(3,756	)			(7,796	)
Interest income, net			553				555				299				430
Other expense, net			(176	)			(42	)			(11	)			(220	)
Loss before income taxes			(8,503	)			(6,004	)			(3,468	)			(7,586	)
Income taxes			(68	)			13				(33	)			(9	)
Net loss		$	(8,571	)		$	(5,991	)		$	(3,501	)		$	(7,595	)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share		$	(1.12	)		$	(0.88	)		$	(0.45	)		$	(1.00	)
Weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per common share			7,673,543				6,840,362				7,844,900				7,632,283
Other Data:
Adjusted EBITDA(1)		$	(2,289	)		$	(4,466	)		$	(873	)		$	(2,084	)
Answers.com average daily page views			3,420,000				1,840,000				4,700,000				3,120,000
Answers.com RPM		$	5.41			$	2.63			$	5.59			$	5.07

		As of September 30, 2007
						Pro Forma
		Actual				As Adjusted(2)
		(in thousands)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	5,293			$	14,609
Working capital			6,816				25,572
Total assets			18,368				128,690
Long-term liabilities			1,158				19,658
Total stockholders’ equity		$	14,936			$	106,436

(1)		We define Adjusted EBITDA as net earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, foreign currency exchange rate differences and certain non-recurring revenues and expenses.
		We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors because these measures enhance their overall understanding of the financial performance and prospects of our ongoing business operations. By reporting Adjusted EBITDA, we provide a basis for comparison of our business operations between current, past and future periods. Adjusted EBITDA is used by our management team to plan and forecast our business because it removes the impact of our capital structure (interest expense), asset base (amortization and depreciation), stock-based compensation expenses, taxes, foreign currency exchange rate differences and certain non-recurring revenues and expenses from our results of operations. More specifically, we believe that removing these impacts is important for several reasons:

	•	Adjusted EBITDA disregards amortization of intangible assets and other specified costs resulting from acquisitions. Specifically, we exclude (a) amortization of acquired technology from our acquisition of Brainboost Technology, LLC, or

	•	We believe that, because of the variety of equity awards used by companies, the varying methodologies for determining stock-based compensation expense, and the subjective assumptions involved in those determinations, excluding stock-based compensation from Adjusted EBITDA enhances the ability of management and investors to compare financial results over multiple periods.
	•	We believe that, excluding depreciation, interest, foreign currency exchange rate differences and taxes from Adjusted EBITDA provides investors with additional information to measure our performance, by excluding potential differences caused by variations in capital structures (affecting interest expense), asset composition, and tax positions.
	•	Prior to December 2003, we sold lifetime subscriptions to our GuruNet service, generally for $40 per subscription. In December 2003, we decided to alter our pricing model and moved to an annual subscription model, for which we generally charged our subscribers $30 per year. We have not sold subscriptions since our launch of Answers.com in January 2005. In February 2007, we terminated the GuruNet service and recognized $425 thousand of deferred revenue as revenue during the quarter ended March 31, 2007. We believe that the recognition of the $425 thousand of revenue is a one-time, non-cash event and is not reflective of our core business and core operating results, and we have therefore excluded this amount from Adjusted EBITDA.

	•	Non-GAAP financial measures are not based on a comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles;
	•	Many of the adjustments to Adjusted EBITDA reflect the exclusion of items that are recurring and will be reflected in our financial results for the foreseeable future;
	•	Other companies, including other companies in our industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than us, thus limiting its usefulness as a comparative tool;
	•	Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the periodic costs of certain tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in our business;
	•	Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in our cash and investment securities and the results of our investments;
	•	Adjusted EBITDA excludes taxes, which is a significant cost to most businesses; and
	•	Because Adjusted EBITDA does not include stock-based compensation, it does not reflect the cost of granting employees equity awards, a key factor in management’s ability to hire and retain employees.

										Nine Months Ended
		Year Ended December 31,								September 30,
		2006				2005				2007				2006
						(in thousands)
Net loss		$	(8,571	)		$	(5,991	)		$	(3,501	)		$	(7,595	)
Interest income, net			(553	)			(555	)			(299	)			(430	)
Foreign currency exchange rate differences			(50	)			42				11				(7	)
Income taxes			68				(13	)			33				9
Depreciation and amortization			1,291				282				1,356				908
Stock-based compensation			5,299				1,769				1,698				4,804
Subscription revenue from lifetime subscriptions			—				—				(425	)			—
Non recurring penalty payment in connection with registration of shares			227				—				—				227
Cost related to August 2007 layoffs			—				—				254				—
Adjusted EBITDA		$	(2,289	)		$	(4,466	)		$	(873	)		$	(2,084	)

(2)		Gives effect to (i) the acquisition of Lexico, (ii) the sale by us of 14,947,683 shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $6.69 (which is the last reported sale price for our common stock on January 15, 2008) after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and (iii) the sale by us of $8.5 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured convertible notes.

		Year Ended December 31,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2006				2005				2007				2006
		(in thousands, except page view and RPM data)
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenue		$	7,015			$	5,683			$	6,180			$	4,989
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues			1,648				924				1,522				1,198
Selling, general and administrative expenses			2,575				1,759				2,294				1,727
Total operating expenses			4,223				2,683				3,816	(1)			2,925
Operating income			2,792				3,000				2,364				2,064
Interest income			29				19				48				18
Income before income taxes			2,821				3,019				2,412				2,082
Income tax expense			(13	)			(19	)			(9	)			(10	)
Net income		$	2,808			$	3,000			$	2,403			$	2,072
Other Data:
EBITDA (2)		$	2,911			$	3,077			$	2,476			$	2,152
Average daily page views			10,640,000				7,960,000				12,750,000				9,900,000
RPM		$	1.73			$	1.84			$	1.70			$	1.75

		As of September 30,
		2007
		(in thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,336
Working capital			3,297
Total assets			4,969
Long-term liabilities			—
Total members’ equity		$	4,168

(1)		Includes $516 thousand of legal, accounting and banking fees incurred in connection with the planned sale of Lexico to Answers.
(2)		EBITDA for Lexico is defined as net earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA removes the impact of the entity’s capital structure (interest expense), asset base (amortization and depreciation of property and equipment), and taxes from its results of operations.

	•	Non-GAAP financial measures are not based on a comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles;
	•	Other companies, including other companies in Lexico’s industry, may calculate EBITDA differently than Lexico, thus limiting its usefulness as a comparative tool;
	•	EBITDA does not reflect the periodic costs of certain assets used in generating revenues in our business;

	•	EBITDA does not reflect changes in Lexico’s cash and investment securities and the results of its investments; and
	•	EBITDA excludes taxes, which is a significant cost to most businesses.

	We compensate for these limitations by providing specific information in the reconciliation to the GAAP amounts excluded from EBITDA. A reconciliation of EBITDA, to net earnings, is as follows:

		Year Ended December 31,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2006				2005				2007				2006
						(in thousands)
Net income		$	2,808			$	3,000			$	2,403			$	2,072
Interest income			(29	)			(19	)			(48	)			(18	)
Income taxes			13				19				9				10
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment			119				77				112				88
EBITDA		$	2,911			$	3,077			$	2,476			$	2,152

		Historical								Pro Forma				Pro Forma
		Answers				Lexico				Adjustments				Combined
		(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
Revenue		$	8,404			$	6,180				—			$	14,584
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue			3,643				1,522				(76	)(1)			5,160
											41	(2)
											30	(4)
Research and development			2,239				—				76	(1)			3,165
											475	(2)
											375	(3)
Sales and marketing			3,275				—				608	(2)			3,883
General and administrative			3,003				—				1,170	(2)			5,546
											1,373	(4)
Selling, general and administrative expenses							2,294				(2,294	)(2)			—
Total operating expenses			12,160				3,816	*			1,778				17,754
Operating income (loss)			(3,756	)			2,364				(1,778	)			(3,170	)
Interest income (expense), net			299				48				(164	)(5)			(964	)
											(446	)(6)
											(163	)(7)
											(13	)(8)
											(525	)(9)
Other expense, net			(11	)			—				—				(11	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			(3,468	)			2,412				(3,089	)			(4,145	)
Income taxes			(33	)			(9	)			(1,537	)(10)			(1,579	)
Net income (loss)		$	(3,501	)		$	2,403			$	(4,626	)		$	(5,724	)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share		$	(0.45	)										$	(0.28	)
Weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per common share			7,844,900								12,851,906	(11)			20,696,806

*		Includes $516 thousand of legal, accounting and banking fees incurred in connection with the planned sale of Lexico to Answers.

		Historical								Pro Forma				Pro Forma
		Answers				Lexico				Adjustments				Combined
		(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
Revenue		$	7,029			$	7,015				—			$	14,044
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue			3,406				1,648				(67	)(1)			7,661
											56	(2)
											2,500	(3)
											118	(4)
Research and development			5,865				—				67	(1)			9,728
											646	(2)
											3,150	(3)
Sales and marketing			3,253				—				1,018	(2)			7,371
											3,100	(3)
General and administrative			3,385				—				855	(2)			6,821
											750	(3)
											1,831	(4)
Selling, general and administrative expenses			—				2,575				(2,575	)(2)			—
Total operating expenses			15,909				4,223				11,449				31,581
Operating income (loss)			(8,880	)			2,792				(11,449	)			(17,537	)
Interest income (expense), net			553				29				(219	)(5)			(1,209	)
											(638	)(6)
											(217	)(7)
											(17	)(8)
											(700	)(9)
Other expense, net			(176	)			—				—				(176	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			(8,503	)			2,821				(13,240	)			(18,922	)
Income taxes			(68	)			(13	)			(2,050	)(10)			(2,131	)
Net income (loss)		$	(8,571	)		$	2,808			$	(15,290	)		$	(21,053	)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share		$	(1.12	)										$	(1.03	)
Weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per common share			7,673,543								12,851,906	(11)			20,525,449

(1)		Cost of revenue of Lexico has been reclassified to conform to Answers’ presentation as follows:

		Nine Months Ended				Year Ended
		September 30,				December 31,
		2007				2006
		(in thousands)				(in thousands)
Cost of revenue		$	1,446			$	1,581
Research and development			76				67
Cost of revenue, as reported by Lexico		$	1,522			$	1,648

(2)		Selling, general and administrative expenses of Lexico have been reclassified to conform to Answers’ presentation as follows:

		Nine Months Ended				Year Ended
		September 30,				December 31,
		2007				2006
		(in thousands)				(in thousands)
Cost of revenue		$	41			$	56
Research and development			475				646
Sales and marketing			608				1,018
General and administrative			1,170				855
Total selling, general and administrative expenses, as reported by Lexico		$	2,294			$	2,575

(3)		As part of the total purchase price, $10.0 million may be paid to the employees of Lexico, or the Lexico Employee Bonuses, subject to certain terms and conditions and a pre-determined payout schedule and required continued employment period, which in most cases is one year. Based on the assumption that the acquisition of Lexico occurred on January 1, 2006, the Lexico Employee Bonuses would have been recorded as follows:

		Nine Months Ended				Year Ended
		September 30,				December 31,
		2007				2006
		(in thousands)				(in thousands)
Cost of revenue		$	—			$	2,500
Research and development			375				3,150
Sales and marketing			—				3,100
General and administrative			—				750
Total Lexico Employee Bonuses		$	375			$	9,500

(4)		These pro forma adjustments represent the additional amortization expense for the amortizable intangible assets acquired in connection with the Lexico acquisition, assuming the acquisition of Lexico occurred on January 1, 2006:

										Nine Months Ended				Year Ended
		Gross Carrying								September 30,				December 31,
		Amount				Life				2007				2006
		(in thousands)				(years)				(in thousands)				(in thousands)
Cost of revenue:
Subscribers’ customer base		$	119				3			$	30			$	40
Technology			78				1				—				78
										$	30			$	118
General and administrative
Domain name		$	13,843				10			$	1,038			$	1,384
Non-compete			894				2				335				447
										$	1,373			$	1,831

(5)		The pro forma financial statements assume the issuance of $8.5 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured convertible notes pursuant to a securities purchase agreement we entered into with an institutional investor on January 15, 2008. Based on the terms and conditions of the senior secured convertible notes and in accordance with the guidance contained in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” or SFAS 133, EITF Issue No. 00-19 “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock” and other related accounting literature, we have determined that the senior secured convertible notes contain a compound embedded derivative instrument which, for accounting purposes, has to be separated from the senior secured convertible notes based on its fair value at the issuance date and marked-to-market at each reporting date with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. Due to the nature of the pro forma disclosure we assumed no such change in fair value. After separation of the embedded derivative instrument, the remainder of the proceeds will be attributed to the senior secured convertible notes and accounted for as debt. The debt discount resulting from the separation of the compound embedded derivative instrument from the senior secured convertible notes is amortized over the life of the senior secured convertible notes and recorded as interest expense. This pro forma adjustment reflects such amortization.
(6)		The senior secured convertible notes will mature on December 31, 2010, unless earlier redeemed or converted into shares of our common stock, and will bear interest initially at a rate of 8%. The interest rate will be reduced to 7% if we (i) obtain shareholder approval to increase the number of shares of common stock we are authorized to issue and (ii) register with the SEC the senior secured convertible notes and all shares of common stock underlying the senior secured convertible notes (and such registration has not been suspended or terminated). This pro forma adjustment assumes that the interest rate will be reduced from 8% to 7% six months after the consummation of the Lexico acquisition.
(7)		Upon the closing of the senior secured convertible notes financing, we will be required to pay our financial advisors a cash fee of $510 thousand, constituting 6% of the $8.5 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured convertible notes. Such compensation, in addition to other estimated costs related to the senior secured convertible notes financing amounting to $140 thousand, will be recorded as deferred charges on the balance sheet, and amortized to interest expense over the contractual term of the senior secured convertible notes. This pro forma adjustment reflects such amortization.
(8)		In connection with the senior secured convertible notes financing we entered into a registration rights agreement with the senior notes investor pursuant to which we agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC registering the senior secured convertible notes and the common stock underlying the senior secured convertible notes. The costs of such registration, estimated at $50 thousand, will be recorded as deferred charges on the balance sheet, and amortized to interest expense over the contractual term of the senior secured convertible notes. This pro forma adjustment reflects such amortization.
(9)		At our election, we may hold back up to $10 million of the purchase price for 24 months from the closing date of the Lexico acquisition. The hold back amount will bear interest at 7% per annum which is reflected in this pro forma adjustment.
(10)		This pro forma adjustment represents the tax expense, calculated in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes,” for temporary differences that will result from the amortization of the first component of goodwill for income tax reporting purposes at a statutory rate of 40.66%. The $10 million of compensation expense payable to the employees of Lexico represents a second component of goodwill, the tax benefit of which will be recognized when realized on the tax return and will be applied as a reduction to goodwill related to the acquisition at such time.
(11)		This pro forma adjustment assumes that we issued 12,851,906 shares of our common stock to acquire Lexico on January 1, 2006. The number of shares issued is based on the $104.9 million preliminary purchase price of Lexico, less (i) the hold back of $10 million of the purchase price for the Lexico acquisition, (ii) $8.5 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured convertible notes and (iii) approximately $400 thousand of transaction expenses already paid as of September 30, 2007 divided by $6.69, the closing sale price of our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Market on January 15, 2008.
		Shares used to calculate unaudited pro forma basic and diluted loss per share were computed by adding the 12,851,906 shares assumed to be issued, to the weighted average number of shares outstanding for each period.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. The risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks we are not presently aware of or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our business operations. Our business could be harmed by any of these risks. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. In assessing these risks, you should also refer to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including our financial statements and related notes.

 

Risks Related to the Acquisition

 

If we fail to increase Lexico’s traffic monetization rates, it may have a materially adverse impact on the anticipated benefits of this acquisition.

 

We currently monetize our Web traffic more effectively than Lexico, resulting in comparatively greater revenue per page. During the third quarter of 2007, our RPM was $5.41 compared to Lexico’s RPM of $1.87. Since our announcement of the Lexico acquisition, Lexico has significantly improved their monetization rates and we believe that this improvement is due to Lexico’s implementation of many of the same techniques we have utilized to increase our own monetization rates. We expect to improve Lexico’s monetization rates by using the same techniques we have used to increase the monetization of our sites, including, changing site design, changing the color, background, placement and number of textual ads displayed, increasing the size and number of display ads per page, and adding or switching ad providers or types of ads introduced. However, our assumptions may be incorrect and we may not be able to improve Lexico’s monetization rates for several reasons, including:

 

 

Our failure to increase Lexico’s monetization rates may have a material adverse impact on the anticipated benefits of the Lexico acquisition.

 

We may not be able to maintain or grow Lexico’s traffic.

 

In 2007, Lexico’s Web properties generated overall traffic of approximately 4.9 billion page views, which is approximately two and a half times the number of page views generated by our existing Web properties. Although we expect that this traffic will grow under our management of Lexico’s Web properties, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in increasing the traffic to the Lexico Web properties, nor can we assure you that we will be able to maintain Lexico’s current levels of traffic, which may materially adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

If Google does not amend our Google Services Agreement to include the Lexico Web properties after the acquisition or consent to the transfer of Lexico’s Google Services Agreement to us after the acquisition, we may suffer a material reduction in our anticipated ad revenues, which would adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

Our business is dependent on our Google Services Agreement, or GSA, under which we obtain most of the advertisements displayed on our Web properties and earn most of our ad revenues. Lexico is dependent to a lesser extent on their GSA. Lexico’s GSA requires Google’s consent for the transfer of Lexico’s GSA. If we are unable to incorporate the Lexico Web properties into our GSA, obtain consent for the transfer of Lexico’s GSA to us, or enter into a new GSA with respect to the Lexico Web properties we will have to obtain listings and advertisements from alternative providers. In addition, we may not be able to negotiate terms and ad services as favorable as those that our current GSA provides. This may result in a material reduction in our anticipated ad revenues from the Lexico web properties which may adversely affect our business and financial results.

We may not be able to realize other intended benefits of the acquisition of Lexico, which could adversely affect our financial condition.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to acquire Lexico. The success of the acquisition will depend, in part, on our ability to realize the assumed benefits of the acquisition, set forth in detail beginning on page S-65 of this prospectus supplement. However, our assumptions and rationale for the acquisition may be incorrect and we may not be able to realize such benefits. As a result, we cannot assure you that the acquisition will be successful or will not harm our current business. Failure to achieve these benefits could adversely affect our financial results.

 

Our sale of equity securities in the market to obtain financing for the acquisition could lead to a decline in the price of our common stock.

 

The issuance of shares of our common stock in this offering to obtain financing for the acquisition will have a dilutive effect on our existing stockholders. In addition, the perceived risk associated with the acquisition of Lexico could cause some of our stockholders to sell their stock, causing the price of our stock to decline. Assuming a public offering price of $6.69, which is the last reported sale price for our common stock on January 15, 2008, 14,947,683 shares of our common stock would be issued by us in this offering, assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option, resulting in 190% dilution. An increase of $1.00 in the assumed public offering price would decrease the number of shares offered to 13,003,901. Similarly, a decrease of $1.00 in the assumed public offering price, would increase the number of shares offered to 17,574,692.

 

We have a limited number of common shares available for future issuance which could adversely affect our ability to raise capital or consummate acquisitions.

 

We are authorized to issue 30,000,000 shares of common stock. In November 2007, our directors, officers and certain current and former employees, who together hold options to purchase an aggregate of 1,646,554 shares of our common stock, executed options undertakings, pursuant to which these directors, officers and current and former employees agreed to refrain from exercising their options until our certificate of incorporation is amended to increase the number of shares of common stock we are authorized to issue, unless the director, officer or current or former employee is earlier released from the options undertaking by our board of directors. We currently have outstanding 7,859,890 shares of common stock, or 9,438,342 shares of common stock after giving effect to the exercise of all outstanding warrants and options that are not subject to options undertakings between us and our directors, officers and certain current and former employees. After giving effect to the 14,947,683 shares of common stock issued in this offering, assuming a public offering price of $6.69, which is the last reported sale price of our common stock on January 15, 2008, we will have outstanding 22,807,573 shares of common stock, or 24,386,025 shares of common stock after giving effect to the exercise of all outstanding warrants and options that are not subject to options undertakings between us and our directors, officers and certain current and former employees.

 

Because we will have limited, if any, authorized shares and little cash after the Lexico acquisition, and because of the significant competition for acquisitions, we may not able to consummate an acquisition until we increase the number of shares we are authorized to issue. To facilitate the raising of additional capital or the completion of acquisitions, we will seek shareholder approval to increase the number of our authorized shares of common stock.

 

We can provide no assurance that we will succeed in amending our certificate of incorporation to increase the number of shares of common stock that we are authorized to issue, which failure would increase the interest we pay on the senior secured convertible notes and force us to redeem the senior secured convertible notes.

 

We can provide no assurance that we will succeed in amending our certificate of incorporation to increase the number of shares of common stock we are authorized to issue. Under the terms of the senior secured convertible notes, if we are unable to amend our certificate of incorporation to increase the number of shares of common stock we are authorized to issue prior to May 30, 2008 (June 30, 2008 in the event that our proxy statement for the shareholder meeting to approve the increase in the number of our authorized shares of common stock is reviewed by the SEC) the interest rate on the senior secured convertible notes will increase from 8% to 12% and will increase by an additional 2% every

2 months that the increase in the number of our authorized shares of common stock has not been approved by our shareholders, up to a maximum of 24%. In the event that our shareholders have not approved an increase in the number of our authorized shares of common stock within 25 months after closing of the senior secured convertible notes financing, the senior notes investor may force us to redeem the senior secured convertible notes for cash equal to the greater of a make-whole value, and 110% of the principal amount of the senior secured convertible notes being redeemed, together with all accrued but unpaid interest. The make-whole value will be calculated by multiplying the conversion amount of the senior secured convertible notes by a make-whole percentage which will be determined on the date on which the make-whole is calculated and based on the price of our common stock during a trading period immediately preceding such date in relation to the conversion price, which is the lesser of $9.00 and 110% of the price at which our common stock is sold in this offering, subject to adjustment. If the senior notes investor exercises this redemption right, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to obtain financing from other sources on terms acceptable to us, and our failure to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us would adversely affect our cash position, business and financial results.

 

We substantially increased our outstanding indebtedness with the sale of the senior secured convertible notes and we may not be able to pay our debt and other obligations. If we elect to hold back all or a portion of the purchase price of the Lexico acquisition, the senior note investor will have rights that, if exercised, could negatively affect our cash position, business and financial results.

 

On January 15, 2008, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with the senior notes investor for the purchase and sale of $8.5 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured convertible notes. The senior secured convertible notes will bear interest initially at a rate of 8%, and the interest rate will be reduced to 7% if we obtain shareholder approval to increase the number of our authorized shares of common stock, and register with the SEC the senior secured convertible notes and all shares of common stock underlying the senior secured convertible notes. Any amount due under the senior secured convertible notes which is not paid when due shall result in a late charge. The senior secured convertible notes are due and payable, with interest on December 31, 2010, unless earlier redeemed or converted into shares of our common stock. If we elect to hold back all or a portion of the $10 million hold back amount, which funds and any accrued interest we are obligated to pay to the members of Lexico 24 months from the closing date, the senior notes investor shall have the right to require us to repay the senior secured convertible notes at the time the hold back amount is due. If the senior notes investor exercises this repayment right, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to obtain financing from other sources on terms acceptable to us, and our failure to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us would adversely affect our cash position, business and financial results. Similarly, if the senior notes investor exercises its right to force us to redeem the senior secured convertible notes, our cash position business and financial results would be adversely affected.

 

An event of default may be triggered under the senior secured convertible notes for a number of reasons, including our failure to pay any principal, interest or late charges on the senior secured convertible notes when due and any default under other indebtedness, including our failure to repay the hold back amount to the Lexico members. Upon any event of default under the senior secured convertible notes, the interest rate will be increased to 7% above the then applicable interest rate up to a maximum of 24% until the event of default has been cured. The issuance of the senior secured convertible notes may:

 

 

If we are unable to satisfy our payment obligations under the senior secured convertible notes or otherwise are obliged to repay the senior secured convertible notes prior to the maturity date, we could default on the senior secured convertible notes, in which case our available cash could be depleted, perhaps seriously, and our ability to fund operations could be materially harmed.

 

The issuance of shares upon conversion of the senior secured convertible notes may cause substantial additional dilution to our existing stockholders and may depress the market price of our common stock.

 

The issuance of shares upon conversion of the senior secured convertible notes may result in substantial dilution to the interests of other stockholders since the holders may ultimately convert their senior secured convertible notes and sell the full amount of our common stock issuable on conversion. Although the holders may not convert their senior secured convertible notes if the conversion would cause them to own more than 9.99% of our outstanding common stock, this restriction does not prevent the holders of the senior secured convertible notes from converting a portion of their notes, selling the shares of common stock issued upon conversion and subsequently converting their remaining notes. As a result, once the shares of common stock underlying the senior secured convertible notes are registered, the holders of the senior secured convertible notes could sell more than this 9.99% limit while never holding more than this limit.

 

The senior secured convertible notes will be convertible, to the extent there are sufficient authorized shares, into our common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of $9.00 or 110% of the public offering price of our common stock in this offering. In connection with this financing we also agreed to register the senior secured convertible notes and the shares of common stock underlying the senior secured convertible notes. The sale of these shares may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards may be subject to limitation.

 

Generally, a change of more than 50% in the ownership of a company’s stock, by value, over a three-year period constitutes an ownership change for U.S. federal income tax purposes. An ownership change may limit a company’s ability to use its net operating loss carryforwards attributable to the period prior to the change. The number of shares of our common stock that we issue in this offering and upon conversion of the senior secured convertible notes, if converted, may be sufficient, taking into account prior or future shifts in our ownership over a three-year period, to cause us to undergo an ownership change. As a result, if we earn net taxable income, our ability to use our pre-change net operating loss carryforwards to offset U.S. federal taxable income may become subject to limitations, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability for us.

 

The senior secured convertible notes contain various restrictive covenants that limit management’s discretion in operating our business.

 

In particular, these covenants limit our ability to, among other things:

 

 

These covenants could materially and adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs. Furthermore, they may restrict our ability to expand, to pursue our business strategies and otherwise to conduct our business. Our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by circumstances and events beyond our control, such as prevailing economic conditions and changes in regulations, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with them. A breach of these covenants could result in a default under the senior secured convertible notes. If there were an event of

default under the senior secured convertible notes, the senior notes investor could cause all amounts borrowed under the senior secured convertible notes to be due and payable immediately. In connection with the senior secured convertible notes financing, we granted to the senior notes investor a first priority security interest in all of our assets and intellectual property. If we fail to repay our payment obligations under the senior secured convertible notes when due, the senior notes investor could proceed against the assets which we have pledged as security.

 

The Lexico acquisition will result in significant costs to us, and in certain circumstances we may be required to pay a termination fee to Lexico and to the senior notes investor if we do not complete the acquisition. Payment of the termination fees would materially adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

The acquisition will result in significant costs to us. Transaction costs will be substantial, and additional unanticipated costs may be incurred. These costs will be incurred whether or not the acquisition is completed. Under certain circumstances, if we do not complete the acquisition, under the terms of the purchase agreement, we may be required to pay Lexico a termination fee of $2 million. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, we may also be obligated to reimburse Lexico’s costs up to a maximum of $500,000. Pursuant to the securities purchase agreement with the senior notes investor, if our purchase agreement with Lexico is terminated, or if the closing of the senior secured convertible notes financing has not occurred by March 1, 2008, we will be required to pay the senior notes investor a termination fee of $425 thousand in the form of senior secured convertible notes that will be convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price equal to the lesser of $9.00 and 110% of the weighted average price of our common stock for the ten trading days following the announcement that our purchase agreement with Lexico has been terminated. Alternatively, if the transaction with Lexico is consummated but the closing of the senior secured convertible notes financing has not occurred, we will be required to pay the senior notes investor a cash termination fee of $365 thousand. Should the purchase agreement be terminated in circumstances under which these termination fees are payable, the payment of the fees would materially adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

Completion of the Lexico acquisition is subject to conditions to closing in the purchase agreement that could delay completion of the acquisition or impose conditions that could have a material adverse effect on us or that could cause abandonment of the acquisition.

 

The closing of the acquisition is subject to certain closing conditions as set forth in the purchase agreement, such as obtaining the financing for the acquisition, receipt of certain closing deliveries and obtaining all necessary approvals and consents. If any of the closing conditions to the acquisition are not satisfied or, where permissible, not waived, the acquisition will not be consummated. Failure to consummate the acquisition could negatively impact our stock price, future business and operations, and financial condition. Any delay in the consummation of the acquisition or any uncertainty about the consummation of the acquisition could also adversely affect our business, growth, revenue and results of operations.

 

If we elect to hold back up to $10 million of the purchase price for the Lexico acquisition, upon the repayment of the full $10 million or any portion thereof, we would be required to deplete our working capital, if available, or raise additional funds. Our failure to pay any amounts held back, if and when required, could result in legal action against us, which could require the sale of substantial assets.

 

On January 15, 2008, we amended and restated the purchase agreement with the members of Lexico to remove the obligation to place $10 million into escrow for 12 months. The escrow obligation was to secure the indemnification obligations of the members under the agreement, as well as any post-closing purchase price adjustments for net working capital and transaction expenses. Pursuant to the amended and restated purchase agreement, at our election we may place in escrow or hold back all or a portion of the $10 million on the closing date, which funds we are obligated to pay to the members of Lexico 24 months from the closing date, less any post-closing purchase price adjustments for net working capital and transaction expenses. The hold back amount will accrue interest at a rate of 7% per annum to be paid at maturity. If we choose to hold back all or a portion of this hold back amount, our obligation to pay the hold back amount and any accrued interest, to the members of Lexico will be secured by a security interest in all of our assets and intellectual property. This security interest will be

subordinated to a security interest that we will grant to the holders of our senior secured convertible notes in connection with the senior secured convertible notes financing. Upon the repayment of the full $10 million or any portion thereof, 24 months from the closing date, we would be required to deplete our working capital or raise additional funds. If we were unable to pay the amounts held back when required, the members of Lexico could commence legal action against us and foreclose on all of our property and assets, including our domain names, to recover the amounts due, subject to the first priority security interest granted to the senior notes investor. Any such action would require us to curtail or cease operations.

 

We may incur penalties for late registration of the senior secured convertible notes and the shares of common stock underlying our senior secured convertible notes.

 

Under the terms of the registration rights agreement we entered into with the senior notes investor on January 15, 2008, we are obligated to register the senior secured convertible notes and the common stock underlying the senior secured convertible notes. The registration rights carry penalties in the event we do not meet these registration obligations. We agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC registering the senior secured convertible notes and the underlying common stock by the earliest to occur of (i) 10 business days after our obtaining shareholder approval to increase the number of our authorized shares of common stock, (ii) 10 business days after May 30, 2008 (June 30, 2008 in the event that our proxy statement for the shareholder meeting to approve the increase in the number of our authorized shares of common stock is reviewed by the SEC) and (iii) if we have a sufficient number of authorized shares to register the shares of common stock underlying the senior secured convertible notes, 30 days after issuance of the senior secured convertible notes. We also agreed to use our commercially reasonable best efforts to cause the registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC by the 90th day after the filing deadline. If the registration statement has not been filed by the filing deadline described above or declared effective by the SEC by the 90th day after the filing deadline, or if sales of all of the securities covered by the registration statement may not be made, whether because of our failure to keep the registration statement effective, our failure to provide sufficient disclosure, our failure to register a sufficient number of shares of common stock or our failure to maintain the listing of our common stock, then we must pay liquidated damages in cash to the senior notes investor in the amount of 1% of the aggregate purchase price of the senior secured convertible notes, or $85,000, for every 30-day period, pro-rated for lesser periods, that the registration statement has not been filed, declared effective or maintained effective.

 

We may not be able to successfully integrate Lexico’s operations, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our ability to integrate the operations of Lexico will depend, in part, on our ability to overcome or address a number of challenges, including:

 

 

We cannot assure you that we will be able to integrate Lexico’s operations without encountering difficulties or that any such difficulties will not have a material adverse effect on us.

If the liabilities we assume in the Lexico acquisition are greater than expected, or if there are unknown liabilities, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

 

We intend to acquire the outstanding equity interests in Lexico through an acquisition. Lexico may be subject to liabilities unknown to us that, if asserted, could have a material adverse effect on us, including:

 

 

Although the purchase agreement provides us with indemnification protection, the indemnification is limited and may be insufficient if any significant liabilities are found, depending on the amount, timing and nature of any claim. As a result, we cannot assure you that the acquisition will be successful or will not, in fact, harm our business. Among other things, if the liabilities we have assumed are greater than expected and are not covered by the sellers’ indemnification, the acquisition could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, if we learn of information with respect to Lexico, after completion of the acquisition, that prevents us from making the certifications required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, investors’ confidence in our reporting capabilities could be reduced, and our business could be materially adversely affected.

 

The pro forma financial statements are presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be indicative of the combined company’s financial condition or results of operations following the acquisition.

 

The pro forma financial statements that appear herein were presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be indicative of the combined company’s financial statements. The pro forma financial statements have been derived from our and Lexico’s historical financial statements and certain adjustments and assumptions have been made regarding the combined company after giving effect to the acquisition. The information upon which these adjustments and assumptions have been made is based on estimates, and such adjustments and assumptions are difficult to make with complete accuracy. Moreover, the pro forma financial statements do not reflect all costs that are expected to be incurred by the combined company in connection with the acquisition. For example, the impact of any incremental costs incurred in integrating the two companies is not reflected in the pro forma financial statements. As a result, the actual financial condition and results of operations of the combined company following the acquisition may not be consistent with, or evident from, these pro forma financial statements. In addition, the assumptions used in preparing the pro forma financial information may not prove to be accurate, and other factors may affect the combined company’s financial condition or results of operations. This information is for illustrative purposes only. The companies may have performed differently had they always been combined. You should not rely on the selected unaudited pro forma financial data as being indicative of the historical results that would have been achieved had the companies always been combined or the future results that the combined company will experience after the acquisition.

 

Risks Related to our Business

 

We have incurred significant and continuing net losses since our inception and may continue to incur losses.

 

We incurred net losses of approximately $8.6 million and $6.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. As of September 30, 2007, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $58.5 million. We cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve net income on a quarterly or annual basis. If our revenues do not increase, or if our operating expenses exceed

expectations or cannot be reduced, we will continue to incur substantial losses, which would materially adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

If search engines alter their algorithms or methods or otherwise restrict the flow of users visiting our Web properties, our business and financial results could suffer.

 

Search engines serve as origination Web properties for users in search of information, and our topic pages often appear as one of the top links on the pages returned by search engines in response to users’ search queries. As a result, we rely heavily on search engines for a substantial portion of the users visiting our Web properties. According to our internal estimates traffic to our Web properties originating from search engines during the fourth quarter of 2007, excluding Google-directed definition link traffic, was approximately 65% of the overall traffic to our Web properties, the majority of which originated from Google and, to a lesser but still significant extent, Yahoo!. Our WikiAnswers search engine traffic during the same period was even more significant, amounting to approximately 88% of its overall traffic. According to Lexico’s internal data, Lexico’s traffic originating from search engines during the fourth quarter of 2007 was approximately 12% of Lexico’s overall traffic. After the closing of the acquisition, we believe that, on a combined aggregated basis, we would have traffic originating from search engines of approximately 26% of our overall traffic. If our traffic from search engines declines for any reason, we would suffer a significant decline in overall traffic and revenue. For example, In July 2007, a search engine algorithm adjustment by Google led to a drop in Google directed traffic to Answers.com. This adjustment reduced our overall traffic by approximately 28% based on the average traffic directed to Answers.com from Google for the week prior to the adjustment as compared to the week after. As a result, our revenue declined proportionately. We have not been able to reverse the impact of this adjustment, and we do not anticipate that we will recover the lost traffic and revenue. In response to the Google algorithm adjustment, we reduced our headcount and related compensation costs, reducing our base payroll expenses by approximately 12%. In September 2007, Yahoo! dropped our content from its search index, which led to a drop in our Yahoo! directed traffic. This action was reversed within a week, and we have recovered all of our Yahoo! directed traffic. Search engines, at any time and for any reason, could change their algorithms that direct search queries to our Web properties or could restrict the flow of users visiting our Web properties specifically. In fact, as illustrated above, on occasion our Web properties have experienced decreases in traffic, and consequently in revenue, due to these search engine actions. We cannot guarantee that we will successfully react to these actions in the future and recover the lost traffic. Accordingly, a change in algorithms that search engines use to identify Web pages towards which traffic will ultimately be directed, or a restriction on the flow of users visiting our Web properties from the search engines, could cause a significant decrease in traffic and revenues, which could adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

Components of our business and operations are experiencing rapid growth. If we fail to effectively manage our growth, our business and operating results could be harmed.

 

We have experienced rapid growth in our headcount and operations over the past several years, which has placed, and will continue to place, significant demands on our management, operational and financial infrastructure. If we do not effectively manage our growth, the quality of our products and services could suffer, which could negatively affect our brand and operating results. To effectively manage this growth, we will need to continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls and our reporting systems and procedures. These systems enhancements and improvements will require significant capital expenditures and management resources. Failure to implement these improvements could hurt our ability to manage our growth and our financial position.

 

We have a short operating history and a relatively new business model in an emerging and rapidly evolving market. This makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and may increase the risks that we will not continue to be successful and that our financial results could suffer.

 

There are two primary categories of Internet advertising, pay-per-performance, or most commonly cost per click, or CPC, and pay-per-impression, or cost per 1,000 impressions, or CPM. In the case of performance-based advertising, the advertiser only pays when a user clicks on an ad, as opposed to viewing the ad, as in impression-based advertising. We first derived advertising revenue in the first

quarter of 2005, and we have only a short operating history with our CPC and CPM advertising model. As a result, we have very little operating history to aid in assessing our future prospects. Also, we derive nearly all of our revenues from online advertising, which is an immature industry that has undergone rapid and dramatic changes in its short history. We will encounter risks and difficulties as a growing company in a new and rapidly evolving market. We may not be able to successfully address these risks and difficulties, which could materially harm our business and operating results.

 

We depend on Google to direct traffic to Answers.com through its definition link, and the loss of this source of traffic could reduce our ad revenues and adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

A significant percentage of our direct traffic is directed to Answers.com by the definition link appearing on Google’s website result pages. As an additional result of this arrangement, a significant number of secondary users visit Web properties via the definition link and perform additional searches. We refer to these users as secondary traffic. The definition link traffic is the result of a unilateral decision by Google to link certain definitions to Answers.com, and not any contractual relationship. Google may change these links at any time, in its sole discretion. According to our internal estimates, for the fourth quarter of 2007, the primary and secondary traffic from the Google definition link accounted for approximately 10% of the traffic to our Web properties. If Google stops directing traffic to Answers.com through its definition link, we would experience a significant reduction in our traffic and the corresponding ad revenues, which would adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

If our GSA is terminated by Google, we would have to seek an alternative provider of listings and advertisements, which could adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

Our business is dependent on the GSA, under which we obtain most of the advertisements displayed on our Web properties and earn most of our ad revenues. Google may terminate the GSA with no advance notice if we:

 

 

 

 

The GSA is scheduled to expire on January 31, 2010, unless renewed upon mutual written consent.

 

Google’s termination of the GSA would result in our need to replace this relationship and obtain listings and advertisements from alternative providers, and we may not succeed in receiving equally favorable terms as those provided in the GSA. Termination of the GSA and our failure to replace it on equally favorable terms could result in a material reduction in our ad revenues and could adversely affect our business and financial results.

Our direct ad sales efforts may suffer if advertisers do not find our Web properties to be effective for promoting their products and services, which could have an adverse effect on our business and financial results.

 

In late 2006, our advertising sales team began marketing directly to advertisers. However, we cannot assure you that these advertisers will find our Web properties to be as effective as other Web properties or traditional media for promoting their products and services. Failure on our part to convince advertisers of the suitability of our Web properties for their needs, or our inability to generate the advertisers’ desired levels of traffic, could make it difficult to attract new advertisers and may cause us to lose relationships with existing advertisers, which could have an adverse effect on our business and financial results.

 

The failure of WikiAnswers to grow in accordance with our expectations could have an adverse impact on our business and financial results.

 

We are spending increasing amounts of money and devoting greater resources to the development of WikiAnswers. We expect to derive an increasingly significant portion of our revenues from WikiAnswers. We intend to utilize the strategies we have used with Answers.com to increase monetization of our WikiAnswers Web property. If WikiAnswers fails to perform as well as we anticipate, our business and financial results could be adversely affected.

 

If Internet users do not interact with our WikiAnswers Web property frequently or if we fail to attract new users to the service, our business and financial results will suffer.

 

The success of our WikiAnswers Web property is largely dependent upon users constantly interacting with the community by asking questions, posting answers and improving upon both. We need to attract users to register as community members, visit the Web property frequently and spend increasing amounts of time on the Web property when they visit. In addition, only a very small number of users actually post information on the site on a regular basis and are engaged in improving the information it contains. If we are unable to encourage users to interact more frequently with our WikiAnswers Web property and to increase the amount of user generated content they provide, our ability to attract new users to the Web property, increase the number of registered users loyal to the community and attract advertisers to WikiAnswers will be diminished and adversely affected. As a result, our business and financial results will suffer, and we will not be able to grow our business as planned.

 

If we are unable to improve and maintain the quality of content being contributed to WikiAnswers, the Web property will become less valuable to the users, less popular as a destination for obtaining answers to questions and its growth will be negatively affected, which in turn could adversely impact our financial results.

 

It is critical that we ensure that the quality of content being posted on WikiAnswers, both questions and answers, is maintained and improved over time. The better the quality of the content generated on the Web property, the more valuable the Web property will be for users in search of answers, which in turn will lead to stronger growth in the community size. We will need to closely monitor the content being contributed by users and constantly be on the alert for and filter out content that does not add value, or even worse, damages the user experience. If we fail to maintain and improve the quality of the Web property’s content, the appeal of WikiAnswers to users may diminish and the growth of the Web property may be negatively affected, which in turn could cause our financial results to suffer.

 

If we are unable to attract and retain dedicated supervisors for WikiAnswers for the administration of the Web property and the encouragement of the community’s expansion, our plans for growing WikiAnswers may fail and our results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

Much of the effort of administering WikiAnswers, monitoring its activity and ensuring its steady growth and development is borne by a large group of external supervisors, the vast majority of whom are not employed by us and not compensated for their efforts. The supervisors are in charge of monitoring questions and answers in specific categories in an effort to ensure questions are being answered timely, prevent vandalism, improve consistency and encourage high-quality contributions. As

of December 31, 2007, the community enjoyed the benefit of approximately 200 such supervisors. The success of WikiAnswers is dependant, to a certain extent, on the continued attention of these supervisors to WikiAnswers. If we are not able to attract and maintain enough supervisors, the WikiAnswers Web property will suffer and the Web property will become less attractive to users, which in turn will adversely affect the site’s growth and our business and financial results.

 

We generate our revenue almost entirely from advertising so uncertainties in the Internet advertising market and our failure to increase advertising inventory on our Web properties could adversely affect our ad revenues.

 

We generated approximately 86%, 97% and 93%, respectively, of our revenues in 2005, 2006 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 from our advertisers. Although worldwide online advertising spending is growing steadily, it represents only a small percentage of total advertising expenditures. Our advertisers can generally terminate their contracts with us at any time. Advertisers will not continue to do business with us if their investment in Internet advertising with us does not generate sales leads, and ultimately customers, or if we do not deliver their advertisements in an appropriate and effective manner. If the Internet does not continue to be a widely accepted as a medium for advertising and the rate of advertising on the Internet increase, our ability to generate increased revenues could be adversely affected. We believe that growth in our ad revenues will also depend on our ability to increase the number of pages on our Web properties to provide more advertising inventory. If we fail to increase our advertising inventory at a sufficient rate, our ad revenues could grow more slowly than we expect, which could have an adverse effect on our financial results.

 

New technologies could block Internet ads, which could harm our financial results.

 

Technologies have been developed, and are likely to continue to be developed, that can block the display of Internet ads. Most of our revenues are derived from fees paid to us by advertisers in connection with the display of their ads. Ad-blocking technology may cause a decrease in the number of ads that we can display on our Web properties, which could adversely affect our ad revenues and our financial results.

 

We face significant competition from search engines, destination portals and other free reference and industry-specific Web properties that could adversely impact our competitive position.

 

We face significant competition from a wide variety of Web properties, including traditional search engines, such as Google, Yahoo! and Ask.com, destination portals and other free online answer engines, such as About.com, TheFreeDictionary.com and Wikipedia.org. We also compete with industry-specific Web properties, such as Bankrate.com and WebMD.com, as well as with other popular question and answer sites, such as Yahoo! Answers and Answerbag.com. Many of our competitors have longer operating histories, more extensive management experience, an employee base with more extensive experience, better geographic coverage, larger consumer bases, greater brand recognition and significantly greater financial, marketing and other resource than we do. We expect competition to intensify in the future. If our competitors are more successful than we are in developing compelling products or attracting and retaining users or advertisers, then our competitive position and financial results could be adversely affected.

 

Our failure to generate direct traffic to our Web properties could adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

In addition to search engine traffic and traffic directed by the Google definition link, our traffic also originates from Internet users arriving at our Web properties directly by typing our website address directly into their Web browser, bookmarking our Web properties, using AnswerTips and visiting sites that direct users to our Web properties. Given the wide availability of free search engines and reference content sites, we may not be able to retain current Internet users or attract new Internet users in this direct fashion. If we are unable to retain our direct Internet users or attract new direct Internet users, our ability to generate revenues would be adversely impacted, which could adversely affect our business and financial results.

Traffic to our Web properties and advertising demand fluctuates significantly on a seasonal basis, which impacts our operations from quarter to quarter.

 

Many of our users are students that utilize our Web properties as reference sources. Our traffic fluctuates with the academic school year, rising from February through May, falling to its lowest levels during the summer months, rising again in September and falling again in December through January. We expect traffic to our Web properties to continue to fluctuate seasonally in the future. This seasonal fluctuation in traffic results in a fluctuation in our quarterly revenues, since fewer users to our Web properties translates into fewer users viewing or clicking on the advertisements on our Web properties. In addition, the demand for our advertising inventory fluctuates during the year based on the seasonal needs of our advertisers, rising to its highest levels during the fourth quarter and falling to its lowest levels in the first quarter. Accordingly, our revenue fluctuates based on the seasonality of our traffic and advertising demand. The effect of this seasonality makes it difficult to estimate future operating results based on the results of any specific quarter. As a result, we may be unable to forecast our revenue accurately, and a failure to meet our revenue or expense forecasts could have an immediate and negative impact on the market price of our common stock.

 

Our operating results may fluctuate, which makes our results difficult to predict and could cause our results to fall short of expectations.

 

Our operating results may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, many outside of our control. As a result, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and you should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. Our quarterly, year-to-date and annual expenses as a percentage of our revenues may differ significantly from our historical or projected rates. Our operating results in future quarters may fall below expectations. Any of these events could cause our stock price to fall.

 

Our partnerships and revenue-sharing arrangements with third-parties may not be renewed or continued, which could impact our credibility in the marketplace, which could adversely affect our traffic and revenues.

 

We have entered into revenue-sharing and other arrangements with third parties that direct traffic to our Web properties and license our online answer engine services, and we plan to enter into similar arrangements in the future. Although these arrangements have not had a substantial impact on our revenues to date, they have provided us with third party validation of our product offerings. We believe these arrangements and similar arrangements may result in significant revenues in the future. These arrangements may be terminated or discontinued by the third parties upon varying notice periods. If these arrangements and similar arrangements impact our revenues substantially in the future, then termination of any of these arrangements would result in the loss of ad revenue and adversely affect our financial condition. Further, termination of any of these arrangements could impact our credibility in the marketplace, which could adversely affect our traffic and revenues.

 

We may not be successful in expanding our business through acquisitions, business combinations and other transactions, and, even if we are successful, our operations may be adversely affected as a result of these transactions.

 

We intend to pursue acquisitions, business combinations and joint ventures, which we refer to as extraordinary transactions. Our ability to implement this business strategy depends in large part on our ability to compete successfully with other entities for acquisition candidates and joint venture partners. Factors affecting our ability to compete successfully include:

 

 

 

In addition, we may not be able to find suitable acquisition candidates and we may not be able to complete acquisitions on favorable terms, if at all. If we do complete acquisitions, we may not ultimately strengthen our competitive position or achieve our goals, or such acquisitions may be viewed negatively by customers, financial markets or investors. In addition, any acquisitions that we make could lead to difficulties in integrating personnel and operations from the acquired businesses and in retaining and motivating key personnel from these businesses. Acquisitions may disrupt our ongoing operations, divert management from day-to-day responsibilities, increase our expenses or adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Future acquisitions may reduce our cash available for operations and other uses and could result in an increase in amortization expense related to identifiable assets acquired, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities or the incurrence of debt, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

 

If we fail to maintain and enhance awareness of our Web properties, our business and financial results could be adversely affected.

 

We believe that maintaining and enhancing awareness of our Web properties is critical to achieving widespread acceptance of our services and to the success of our business. We also believe that the importance of brand recognition will increase due to the relatively low barriers to entry in our market. Maintaining and enhancing our Web properties may require us to spend increasing amounts of money on, and devote greater resources to, advertising, marketing and other brand-building efforts, and these investments may not be successful. Further, even if these efforts are successful, they may not be cost-effective. If we are unable to continuously maintain and enhance our Web properties, our traffic may decrease and we may fail to attract advertisers, which could in turn result in lost revenues and adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

Our failure to license compelling content and provide our users with quality reference information could result in lost revenue, as a result of a loss of users and advertisers.

 

We believe our future success depends in part upon our ability to deliver valuable content through our Web properties. We are heavily dependent on licensed content. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to enter into new or renew current or future content agreements on commercially acceptable terms or at all. If we are unable to maintain and enhance our existing relationships with content providers or develop new relationships with alternative providers of content, our service may become less attractive to Internet users, resulting in decreased traffic to our Web properties, which could have an adverse effect on our ad revenues and a negative impact on our business. Accordingly, our inability to retain our existing users and attract new Internet users would lead to a loss of revenues and adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

If we are unable to maintain and expand our computer and communications systems, then interruptions and failures in our services could result, making our services less attractive to consumers and subjecting us to lost revenue from the loss of users and advertisers.

 

Our ability to provide high quality user experience depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer and communications systems. Over time, our Web properties have experienced significant increases in traffic, and we continuously seek to further increase our user base. Accordingly, our Internet servers must accommodate spikes in demand for our Web pages in addition to potential significant growth in traffic. Delays and interruptions could frustrate users and reduce traffic on our Web properties, adversely affecting our operations and growth prospects.

 

We outsource our Web hosting services to Data Return LLC. As our business grows and we require more servers, we believe that the economic justification of outsourcing our Web hosting services diminishes. We are planning to migrate our Web properties to co-location facilities and manage the operations with our own staff. This change may be technologically challenging to implement, take time to test and deploy, cause us to incur substantial costs or data loss, and cause users, advertisers, and affiliates to experience delays or interruptions in our service. These changes, delays or interruptions in

our service could cause users and advertisers to become dissatisfied with our service and move to competing providers of online services, reducing the traffic on our Web properties and adversely affecting our business and financial results.

 

If we were to lose the services of our key personnel, we may not be able to execute our business plan and our business could be adversely affected.

 

Our ability to execute our business plan depends upon the continued service of our executive officers and other key technology, marketing, sales and support personnel. Our employment agreements with our executive officers and key employees are terminable by either party upon 30-90 days notice. If we lose the services of one or more of our key employees, or if one or more of our executive officers or key employees joined a competitor or otherwise competed with us, our business could be adversely affected. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain or replace our key personnel, and the services of key members of our research and development team, in particular, would be difficult to replace. If we do not succeed in retaining or replacing our key personnel, we may be unable to execute our business plan and, as a result, our stock price may decline.

 

Our business depends on increasing use of the Internet by users searching for information, advertisers marketing products and services and Web properties seeking to earn revenue to support their web content. If the Internet infrastructure does not grow and is not maintained to support these activities, our business will be harmed.

 

Our success will depend on the continued growth and maintenance of the Internet infrastructure. This includes maintenance of a reliable network backbone with the necessary speed, data capacity and security for providing reliable Internet services. Internet infrastructure may be unable to support the demands placed on it if the number of Internet users continues to increase, or if existing or future Internet users access the Internet more often or increase their bandwidth requirements. In addition, viruses, worms and similar programs may harm the performance of the Internet. The Internet has experienced a variety of outages and other delays as a result of damage to portions of its infrastructure, and could face outages and delays in the future. These outages and delays could reduce the level of Internet usage as well as our ability to provide our solutions.

 

Rules established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, require us to expense equity compensation given to our employees and may impact our ability to effectively utilize equity compensation to attract and retain employees.

 

The FASB has adopted changes that require companies to record a charge to earnings for employee stock option grants and other equity incentives effective January 1, 2006, which we have adopted. These accounting changes may cause us to reduce the availability and amount of equity incentives provided to employees, which may make it more difficult for us to attract, retain and motivate key personnel. Additionally, it may be difficult for us to estimate the impact of such compensation charges on future operating results because they will be based upon the fair market value of our common stock and other assumptions at future dates.

 

We may not be able to obtain capital when desired on favorable terms, if at all, or without dilution to our stockholders.

 

We anticipate that our current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to meet our current needs for general corporate purposes for at least the next 12 months. However, we may need or desire additional financing to execute on our current or future business strategies, including to:

 

 

If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders could be significantly diluted, and these newly issued

securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. We cannot assure you that additional financing will be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, when we desire them, our ability to fund our operations, take advantage of unanticipated opportunities, develop or enhance our services, or otherwise respond to competitive pressures would be significantly limited.

 

We may be subject to liability for online services, which may not be limited by the safe harbors in The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, or DMCA, The Communications Decency Act, or CDA, or the U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA. If we do not meet the safe harbor requirements, or if it is otherwise determined that our Web properties contain actionable content, we could be subject to claims, which could be costly and time-consuming to defend.

 

We host certain services that enable individuals to generate content and engage in various online activities. The law relating to the liability of providers of these online services for activities of their users is currently unsettled both within the United States and internationally. Claims have been threatened and may in the future be brought against us for defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, unlawful activity, tort, including personal injury, fraud, or other theories based on the nature and content of information to which we provide links, or that may be posted online or generated by the users of our Web properties. Our defense of any of these actions could be costly and involve significant time and attention of our management and other resources.

 

The DMCA is intended, among other things, to reduce the liability of online service providers for listing or linking to third party Web properties that include materials that infringe copyrights or rights of others. Additionally, portions of the CDA are intended to provide statutory protections to online service providers who distribute third party content. A safe harbor for copyright infringement is also available under the DMCA to certain online service providers that provide specific services, if the providers take certain affirmative steps as set forth in the DMCA. Important questions regarding the safe harbor under the DMCA and the CDA have yet to be litigated, and we can not guarantee that we will meet the safe harbor requirements of the DMCA or of the CDA. If we are not covered by a safe harbor, for any reason, we could be exposed to claims, which could be costly and time-consuming to defend.

 

In addition, COPPA was enacted in October 1998. COPPA imposes civil and criminal penalties on persons distributing material harmful to minors over the Internet to persons under the age of 17 or collecting personal information from children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect and disclose personal information from minors. The manner in which COPPA may be interpreted and enforced cannot yet be determined. Moreover, the applicability to the Internet of existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, copyright, defamation, obscenity and personal privacy is uncertain. We may be subject to claims that our content violates such laws, which could damage our business and cause our stock price to decline.

 

We also periodically enter into arrangements to offer third party products, services or content under the Answers brand or through our Web properties. We may be subject to claims concerning these products, services or content by virtue of our involvement in marketing, branding, broadcasting or providing access to them, even if we do not ourselves host, operate, provide, or provide access to them.

 

It is also possible that, if any information provided directly by us contains errors or is otherwise negligently provided to users, third parties could make claims against us. While it is our belief that the Terms of Use governing the use of our Web properties covers us against these types of claims, there are no assurances as to the final determination of these types of claims by any court of law. Furthermore, investigating and defending any of these types of claims is expensive, even to the extent that the claims are without merit or do not ultimately result in liability.

 

Third parties may claim that we are infringing on their patents, trademarks or copyrights, which could result in substantial costs, diversion of significant managerial resources and significant harm to our reputation.

 

The industry in which we operate is characterized by the existence of a large number of patents and frequent litigation based on allegations of patent infringement. We expect that Internet technologies,

software products and services may be increasingly subject to third party patent infringement claims as the number of competitors in our industry segment grows and the functionality of products in different industry segments overlaps. From time to time, third parties may assert patent infringement claims against us in various jurisdictions that are important to our business. Additionally, third parties may assert trademark infringement claims with respect to brand names we use from time to time and content we display on our Web properties. For example, a third party may make claims against us over the display of search results triggered by search terms that include trademark terms. Furthermore, we may be faced with copyright infringement claims. We have received, and are likely to continue to receive, “cease and desist” letters demanding that we remove infringing content from our Web properties based on a theory of copyright and trademark infringement.

 

A successful patent, trademark or copyright infringement claim against us by any third party, could subject us to:

 

 

Regardless of the merit of third party infringement claims, these claims could result in substantial costs, diversion of significant resources and management attention, termination of customer contracts, loss of customers and significant harm to our reputation.

 

Finally, many of our agreements with advertisers, distribution partners, and other third party partners require us to indemnify these partners for certain third party intellectual property infringement claims, which could increase our costs as a result of defending the claims and may require that we pay damages if there were an adverse ruling in any of the claims. An adverse determination could also prevent us from offering our products and services to others and may require that we procure substitute products or services, which could adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

Misappropriation of our intellectual property could harm our reputation, adversely affecting our competitive position and financial results.

 

Our ability to compete depends in part upon the strength of our proprietary rights in our technologies, brands and content. We rely on a combination of U.S. and foreign patents, copyrights, trademark, trade secret laws and license agreements to establish and protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights. The efforts we have taken to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights may not be sufficient or effective at stopping unauthorized use of our intellectual property and proprietary rights. In addition, effective trademark, patent, copyright and trade secret protection may not be available or cost-effective in every country in which our services are made available through the Internet. There may be instances where we are not able to fully protect or utilize our intellectual property in a manner that maximizes competitive advantage. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights from unauthorized use, the value of our Web properties may be reduced, which could negatively impact our business. In addition, protecting our intellectual property and other proprietary rights is expensive and diverts critical managerial resources. If any of the foregoing were to occur, or if we are otherwise unable to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights, our business and financial results could be adversely affected.

New government regulation and legal uncertainties could require us to incur significant expenses.

 

The laws and regulations applicable to the Internet, and to our products and services, are evolving and unclear and could damage our business. In addition, we will be subject to any new laws and regulations directly applicable to our products and services. It is possible that laws and regulations may be adopted covering issues such as user privacy, pricing, taxation, content regulation, quality of products and services, and intellectual property ownership and infringement. This legislation could expose us to substantial liability as well as dampen the growth in use of the Internet generally, decrease the acceptance of the Internet as a communications and commercial medium, or require us to incur significant compliance expenses. Compliance with these laws and regulations may also cause us to change or limit our business practices in a manner adverse to our business.

 

Increased regulation or the imposition of access fees could substantially increase the costs of communicating on the Internet, potentially decreasing the demand for our products. A number of proposals have been made at the federal, state and local level that would impose additional taxes on the sale of goods and services through the Internet. Such proposals, if adopted, could substantially impair the growth of electronic commerce and could adversely affect us.

 

Due to the global nature of the Internet, it is possible that the governments of other states and foreign countries might attempt to regulate its transmissions or prosecute us for violations of their laws. We might unintentionally violate these laws. Such laws may be modified, or new laws may be enacted, in the future. Our business may be negatively affected by a variety of new or existing laws and regulations, which may expose us to substantial compliance costs and liabilities and may impede the growth in use of the Internet generally.

 

Risks Related to our Common Stock

 

Our common stock may be affected by limited trading volume and may fluctuate significantly.

 

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market. Although an active trading market has developed for our common stock, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for our common stock will be sustained. Failure to maintain an active trading market for our common stock may adversely affect our shareholders’ ability to sell our common stock in short time periods, or at all. Our common stock has experienced, and may experience in the future, significant price and volume fluctuations, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

There may be substantial sales of our common stock, which could cause our stock price to fall.

 

All of our issued and outstanding shares are immediately available for sale in the public market without registration under Rule 144. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock could cause the price of our securities to fall and could impair our ability to raise capital by selling additional securities.

 

We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock.

 

We have never declared or paid any cash dividend on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain any future earnings and do not expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

We could issue “blank check” preferred stock without stockholder approval with the effect of diluting then current stockholder interests.

 

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 1,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock with designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our board of directors. Accordingly, our board of directors is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue a series of preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights, which could dilute the interest of, or impair the voting power of, our stockholders. The issuance of a series of

preferred stock could be used as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control. Although we do not presently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, we may do so in the future.

 

Provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law could discourage a takeover that stockholders may consider favorable.

 

Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our stockholders. For example, our board of directors is divided into three classes, with one class being elected each year by our stockholders, which generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of directors and obtain control of our board. In addition, stockholder meetings may be called only by our board of directors, the chairman of the board and the president, advance notice is required prior to stockholder proposals and stockholders may not act by written consent. Furthermore, we have authorized preferred stock that is undesignated, making it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of our company.

 

Delaware law also could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us. Specifically, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, to which our company is subject, may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by our stockholders.

 

We are at risk of securities class action litigation.

 

Securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following a decline in the market price of its securities. This risk is especially relevant for us because Internet companies often experience significant stock price volatility. If we faced such litigation, it could result in substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could adversely affect our business.

 

Failure to develop or maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 could have a material adverse effect on our stock price.

 

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations of the SEC require annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm attesting to and reporting on these controls. If we fail to adequately maintain compliance with, or maintain, the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations of the SEC. If we cannot favorably assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investor confidence in the reliability of our financial reports may be adversely affected, which could have a material adverse effect on our stock price.

 

In addition, we will be transitioning Lexico’s separate accounting system to our accounting system. This transition could result in corruption or loss of data or other problems that could adversely affect our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements. If we are unable to produce accurate and timely financial statements, our stock price may be adversely affected and we may be unable to maintain compliance with the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Global Market.

 

Any future disclosure regarding our internal controls or investors’ perceptions that our internal controls are inadequate or that we are unable to produce accurate financial statements may also adversely affect our stock price

Any future material weaknesses in our internal controls may impede our ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements, which could cause us to fail to file our periodic reports timely, result in inaccurate financial reporting or restatements of our financial statements, subject our stock to delisting and materially harm our business reputation and stock price.

 

As a public company, we are required to file annual and quarterly periodic reports containing our financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission within prescribed time periods. As part of The Nasdaq Global Market listing requirements, we are also required to provide our periodic reports, or make them available, to our shareholders within prescribed time periods. If we are required to restate our financial statements in the future, any specific adjustment may be adverse and may cause our operating results and financial condition, as restated, on an overall basis to be materially and adversely impacted. As a result, we or members of our management could be the subject of adverse publicity, investigations and sanctions by such regulatory authorities as the Securities and Exchange Commission and subject to shareholder lawsuits. Any of the above consequences could cause our stock price to decline materially and could impose significant unanticipated costs on us.

 

As of each year end beginning with the year ending December 31, 2007, our management will be required to evaluate our internal control over financial reporting and to provide in our Form 10-K its assessment of our internal controls to our shareholders. To the extent we have material weaknesses in our internal controls, we may determine that we have ineffective internal controls as of December 31, 2007 or any subsequent year end.

 

If we are not able to issue our financial statements in a timely manner, we will not be able to comply with the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the listing requirements of The Nasdaq Global Market. If these events occur, our common stock listing on The Nasdaq Global Market could be suspended or terminated and our stock price could materially suffer. In addition, we or members of our management could be subject to investigation and sanction by the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities and to shareholder lawsuits, which could impose significant additional costs on us, divert management attention and materially harm our operating results, financial condition, business reputation and stock price.

 

Risks Related to our Location in Israel

 

Conditions in Israel may limit our ability to produce and sell our product, which would lead to a decrease in revenues.

 

Because most of our operations are conducted in Israel, our operations are directly affected by economic, political and military conditions affecting Israel. Specifically, we could be adversely affected by:

 

 

Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel and its Arab neighbors and a state of hostility, varying in degree and intensity, has led to security and economic problems for Israel. Despite negotiations to effect peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors, the future of these peace efforts is uncertain. Since October 2000, there has been a significant increase in violence, civil unrest and hostility, including armed clashes between the State of Israel and the Palestinians, and acts of terror have been committed inside Israel and against Israeli targets in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In addition, the recent armed conflict with Hezbollah on the northern

border of Israel negatively affected business conditions in Israel. There is no indication as to how long the current hostilities will last or whether there will be any further escalation. Any further escalation in these hostilities or any future conflict, political instability or violence in the region may have a negative effect on our business, harm our results of operations and adversely affect our share price.

 

Furthermore, there are a number of countries that restrict business with Israel or with Israeli companies, which may limit our ability to promote our products and services those countries.

 

We may not be able to enforce covenants not-to-compete under current Israeli law that might result in added competition for our products.

 

We have non-competition agreements with all of our employees, almost all of which are governed by Israeli law. These agreements prohibit our employees from competing with or working for our competitors, generally during and for up to 12 months after termination of their employment. However, Israeli courts are reluctant to enforce non-compete undertakings of former employees and tend, if at all, to enforce those provisions for relatively brief periods of time in restricted geographical areas and only when the employee has obtained unique value to the employer specific to that employer’s business and not just regarding the professional development of the employee. If we are not able to enforce non-compete covenants, we may be faced with added competition.

 

The Israeli government tax benefits program in which we currently participate and from which we receive benefits requires us to meet several conditions. These programs or benefits may be terminated or reduced in the future, which may result in an increase in our tax liability.

 

Our Israeli subsidiary receives tax benefits authorized under Israeli law for capital investments that are designated as “Approved Enterprises.” To be eligible for these tax benefits, we must meet certain conditions. If we fail to meet such conditions, these tax benefits could be cancelled, and we could be required to pay increased taxes or refund the amount of tax benefits we received, together with interest and penalties. Israeli governmental authorities have indicated that the government may in the future reduce or eliminate the benefits of such programs. The termination or reduction of these programs and tax benefits could increase our Israeli tax rates, and thereby reduce our net profits or increase our net losses.

 

U.S. and Israeli tax authorities may interpret tax issues in manners other than those which we have adopted, which may expose us to tax liabilities.

 

We operate in the U.S. and in Israel and our earnings are subject to taxation in both jurisdictions, at different rates. Relevant tax authorities may disagree with our interpretation and application in practice of tax laws and may dispute various assumptions we make during our tax planning process. Further, the tax authorities in the U.S. and/or Israel may take exception with the transfer price of transactions between Answers Corporation and its wholly owned Israeli subsidiary. If there is a successful tax challenge of our tax position, our interpretation and/or application of tax laws in practice, we may be forced to recognize additional tax liabilities, which may include interest and penalties. This may harm our results of operations and adversely affect our financial condition. Our unrecognized tax benefits disclosed in the notes to our financial statements for the period ending September 30, 2007, include amounts relating to this risk factor.

Our business may be impacted by NIS exchange rate fluctuations, which may negatively affect our earnings.

 

Exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the NIS may negatively affect our earnings. Our revenues and most of our expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars. However, a significant portion of the expenses associated with our Israeli operations, including personnel and facilities related expenses, are incurred in NIS. Consequently, a devaluation of the U.S. dollar in comparison to the NIS will have the effect of increasing the dollar cost of our operations in Israel. In 2006, the U.S. dollar depreciated against the NIS by 8.2% and in 2007, the U.S. dollar depreciated against the NIS by 9.0%. We cannot predict any future trends in the rate of devaluation or appreciation of the NIS against the U.S. dollar or of the U.S. dollar against the NIS. Despite the fact that we use various hedging tools, including forward contracts and options, to minimize the effect of currency fluctuations on our income, if the U.S. dollar cost of our operations in Israel increases, our dollar-measured consolidated results of operations will be adversely affected.

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus supplement, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Such forward-looking statements include those that express plans, anticipation, intent, contingency, goals, targets or future development and/or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and projections about future events and they are subject to risks and uncertainties known and unknown that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about:

 

 

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology, such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expects,” “believes,” “seeks,” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this prospectus supplement. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this prospectus supplement, particularly in the “Risk Factors” section, that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments we may make.

 

You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, including the documents we incorporate by reference, and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus supplement is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Based on our last reported stock price of $6.69 on January 15, 2008, the estimated net proceeds from this offering are expected to be approximately $93.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. Our net proceeds will be approximately $107.7 million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full.

 

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering of $6.69 per share would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $14.9 million (or approximately $17.2 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full), assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

We will apply the net proceeds from this offering to fund the Lexico acquisition. This offering will not be consummated if proceeds sufficient to fund the Lexico acquisition are not raised.

 

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY

 

Our common stock has been quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ANSW” since August 2, 2005. Prior to such date, our common stock was traded on the American Stock Exchange, under the symbol GRU, between October 13, 2004 and August 1, 2005. Prior to October 13, 2004, there was no established market for our shares.

 

The following table sets forth the high and low reported sales prices for our common stock for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 and the subsequent periods indicated. For the period January 1, 2005 through August 1, 2005, the prices represent the range of high and low closing sale prices for our common stock as reported by the American Stock Exchange; and for the period August 2, 2005 through January 15, 2008, the prices represent the range of high and low closing sale prices for our common stock as quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market.

 

 

The closing sale price of our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Market on January 15, 2008 was $6.69 per share.

 

Historically, we have not paid any cash dividends to the holders of our common stock. We do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future as we expect to retain our future earnings for use in operation and expansion of our business.

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization as of September 30, 2007, on an actual basis and on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to (i) the acquisition of Lexico, (ii) the sale by us of 14,947,683 shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $6.69 (which is the last reported sale price for our common stock on January 15, 2008) after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and (iii) the sale by us of $8.5 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured convertible notes. You should read this table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements that appear herein and the related notes “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the other financial information included in this prospectus supplement.

 

 

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the offering price of $6.69 per share would increase (decrease) each of additional paid-in capital and total stockholders’ equity in the pro forma as adjusted column by $14.9 million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth in the cover of this prospectus supplement, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commission and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

The above information assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option, and is based upon 7,854,053 shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2007. This information does not include 3,256,918 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options and warrants and 198,461 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our stock plans as of September 30, 2007.

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Answers Corporation

 

The following tables summarize our selected consolidated statement of operations and balance sheet data and should be read together with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our financial statements and related notes that appear elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. The selected consolidated statement of operations and balance sheet data for each of the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that appear elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. We derived the selected statement of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 and the balance sheet data as of September 30, 2007, from our unaudited consolidated financial statements that appear elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. The unaudited financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with our audited consolidated financial statements that appear elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and include, in our opinion, all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operation for these periods. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.

 

 

Lexico

 

The following tables summarize the historical financial data of Lexico and should be read together with Lexico’s financial statements and related notes that appear elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. The summary statement of operations and balance sheet data for each of the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 are derived from Lexico’s audited financial statements that appear elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. We derived the summary statement of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, and 2006 and the balance sheet data as of September 30, 2007 from Lexico’s unaudited financial statements that appear elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. The unaudited financial statements for Lexico have been prepared on a basis consistent with Lexico’s audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and include, in the opinion of Lexico, all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of Lexico’s financial position and results of operation for these periods. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read together with our financial statements and the notes to those statements that appear elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. This discussion contains forward-looking statements reflecting our current expectations and involves risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. For example, statements regarding our expectations as to future financial performance, expense levels and liquidity sources are forward-looking statements. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those discussed in our forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

Overview

 

We are a leading online answer engine. Our Web properties currently consist of Answers.com and WikiAnswers.com. We offer information related to over 4 million topics based on content from brand-name publishers, our WikiAnswers community and our proprietary natural language search technology, which we refer to as Answers from the Web. Answers.com combines and presents targeted information from disparate sources and delivers answers to users’ questions in a single consolidated view. WikiAnswers.com is a user-generated content, or UGC, community-based question and answer site. According to comScore, a global Internet information provider, our Web properties had approximately 15.4 million unique visitors in November 2007, which ranks Answers Corporation number 58 in the top U.S. Web properties. Our goal is to become the premier online provider of and leading destination for answers on any topic.

 

Prior to January 2005, we sold subscriptions to our reference-based product, GuruNet. After the launch of Answers.com in January 2005, we ceased offering new subscriptions to GuruNet. In February 2007, we terminated the GuruNet service.

 

Recent Events

 

Senior Secured Convertible Notes

 

On January 15, 2008, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with an institutional investor, or the senior notes investor, for the purchase and sale of $8.5 million aggregate principal amount of our senior secured convertible notes due 2010, or the senior secured convertible notes.

 

The senior secured convertible notes will mature on December 31, 2010 and bear interest initially at a rate of 8%. The interest rate will be reduced to 7% if we obtain shareholder approval to increase the number of our authorized shares of common stock, and register with the SEC the senior secured convertible notes and all shares of common stock underlying the senior secured convertible notes. Interest on the senior secured convertible notes will accrue daily, calculated on the basis of actual days elapsed over a 360-day year, and will be payable quarterly. Upon any event of default under the senior secured convertible notes, such as our failure to pay the principal or interest when due, the interest rate will be increased to 7% above the then applicable interest rate up to a maximum of 24% until the event of default has been cured. Any amount due under the senior secured convertible notes which is not paid when due shall result in a late charge. In connection with the senior secured convertible notes financing, we granted to the senior notes investor a first priority security interest in all of our assets and intellectual property.

 

The closing of the senior secured convertible notes financing is subject to certain conditions, which include:

 

 

The senior secured convertible notes will be convertible into our common stock at a price per share equal to the lesser of $9.00 and 110% of the price at which our common stock is sold in this offering.

This conversion price will be subject to weighted average and other customary anti-dilution adjustments and protections. The senior secured convertible notes will not be convertible to the extent that conversion would result in the holder, together with its affiliates, owning in excess of 9.99% of our outstanding shares of common stock or if the issuance would exceed the aggregate number of shares of common stock which we may issue without breaching the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Global Market.

 

Within 30 days of the senior secured convertible notes closing date, we will have the right to redeem the senior secured convertible notes for cash in the amount of 105% of the principal amount outstanding plus accrued but unpaid interest.

 

Beginning one year after the senior secured convertible notes issuance date, if our common stock has traded at 175% of the conversion price for any consecutive 30 day period, the dollar value of the daily volume traded in our common stock has averaged at least $1,000,000 and the senior secured convertible notes and the shares of common stock underlying the senior secured convertible notes have been registered with the SEC and are authorized for issuance, we will have the right to require the holders to convert the senior secured convertible notes into our common stock.

 

If we are unable to obtain shareholder approval to increase the number of our authorized shares of common stock prior to May 30, 2008 (June 30, 2008 in the event that our proxy statement for the shareholder meeting to approve the increase in the number of our authorized shares of common stock is reviewed by the SEC), the interest rate on the senior secured convertible notes will increase from 8% to 12% and will increase by an additional 2% every 2 months that the increase in the number of our authorized shares of common has not been approved by our shareholders, up to a maximum of 24%. In the event that our shareholders have not approved an increase in the number of our authorized shares of common stock within 25 months after closing of the senior secured convertible notes financing, the holders of the senior secured convertible notes will have the right to force us to redeem their senior secured convertible notes for cash equal to the greater of a make-whole value and 110% of the principal amount of the senior secured convertible notes being redeemed, together with all accrued but unpaid interest. The make-whole value will be calculated by multiplying the conversion amount of the senior secured convertible notes by a make-whole percentage which will be determined on the date on which the make-whole is calculated and based on the price of our common stock during a trading period immediately preceding such date in relation to the conversion price, which is the lesser of $9.00 and 110% of the price at which our common stock is sold in this offering, subject to adjustment.

 

If we elect to hold back all or a portion of the $10 million hold back amount, which funds and any accrued interest we are obligated to pay to the members of Lexico 24 months from the closing date, the senior notes investor shall have the right to require us to repay the senior secured convertible notes at the time that the hold back amount is due.

 

Upon the merger, reorganization, sale or other change in control or upon the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, holders of the senior secured convertible notes will have the right to force us to redeem their senior secured convertible notes for cash or stock or other assets, at the holder’s option, in the amount of the greater of the make-whole value described above and 110% of the principal amount of the senior secured convertible notes being redeemed, together with all accrued but unpaid interest. To the extent holders do not exercise this right to force redemption upon a change of control transaction, the acquiring or successor entity to us will assume all of our obligations under the senior secured convertible notes and related agreements, and the senior secured convertible notes will be convertible, at the holder’s option, into the stock, cash or other assets received by holders of our common stock in connection with the change of control transaction.

 

The senior secured convertible notes will contain customary default provisions, including a cross-default provision with respect to other indebtedness, including our failure to repay the hold back amount to the Lexico members. The senior secured convertible notes will also contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including without limitation:

 

 

If our purchase agreement with Lexico is terminated, or if the securities purchase agreement with the senior notes investor is terminated, or if the closing of the senior secured convertible notes financing has not occurred by March 1, 2008, we will be required to pay the senior secured convertible notes investor a termination fee of $425 thousand in the form of senior convertible notes that will be convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price equal to the lesser of $9.00 and 110% of the weighted average price of our common stock for the ten trading days following the announcement that our purchase agreement with Lexico has been terminated. Alternatively, if the transaction with Lexico is consummated but the closing of the senior secured convertible notes financing has not occurred, we will be required to pay the senior notes investor a cash termination fee of $365 thousand.

 

In connection with the senior secured convertible notes financing, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the senior notes investor pursuant to which we agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC registering the senior secured convertible notes and the common stock underlying the senior secured convertible notes by the earliest to occur of (i) 10 business days after our obtaining shareholder approval to increase the number of our authorized shares of common stock, (ii) 10 business days after May 30, 2008 (June 30, 2008 in the event that our proxy statement for the shareholder meeting to approve the increase in the number of our authorized shares of common stock is reviewed by the SEC) and (iii) if we have a sufficient number of authorized shares to register the shares of common stock underlying the senior secured convertible notes, 30 days after the senior secured convertible notes closing date. We also agreed to use our commercially reasonable best efforts to cause the registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC by the 90th day after the filing deadline. If the registration statement has not been filed by the filing deadline described above or declared effective by the SEC by the 90th day after the filing deadline, or if the sales of the securities covered by the registration statement may not be made, whether because of our failure to keep the registration statement effective, our failure to provide sufficient disclosure, our failure to register a sufficient number of shares of common stock or our failure to maintain the listing of our common stock, then we must pay liquidated damages in cash to the senior notes investor in the amount of 1% of the aggregate purchase price of the senior secured convertible notes, or $85,000, for every 30-day period, pro-rated for lesser periods, that the registration statement has not been filed, declared effective or maintained effective.

 

Options Undertaking

 

In November 2007, in connection with this offering, our directors, officers and certain current and former employees, who together hold options to purchase an aggregate of 1,646,554 shares of our common stock, executed options undertakings, pursuant to which these directors, officers and current and former employees agreed to refrain from exercising their options until our certificate of incorporation is amended to increase the number of shares of common stock we are authorized to issue, unless the director, officer or current or former employee is earlier released from the options undertaking by our board of directors. However, if the Lexico acquisition is not consummated by March 1, 2008, the options undertakings will terminate automatically. In addition, we have agreed with the underwriters of this offering not to issue or grant any option or warrant to purchase our securities until an amendment to our certificate of incorporation increasing the number of shares we are authorized to issue has been filed.

 

Traffic-Related Events

 

In July 2007, a search engine algorithm adjustment by Google led to a drop in Google directed traffic to Answers.com. This adjustment reduced our overall traffic by approximately 28% based on the average traffic directed to Answers.com from Google for the week prior to the adjustment as compared to the week after. As a result, our revenue also declined proportionately. We have not been able to reverse the impact of this adjustment, and we do not anticipate that we will recover the lost traffic and revenue. In response to the Google algorithm adjustment, we reduced our headcount and related compensation costs, reducing our base payroll expenses by approximately 12%. As a result, we recorded a charge of approximately $250 thousand in the third quarter of 2007, related to this restructuring.

 

In September 2007, Yahoo! dropped our content from its search index, which reduced our Yahoo! directed traffic. This action was reversed within a week, and we have recovered all of our Yahoo! directed traffic.

Acquisitions

 

WikiAnswers

 

On November 2, 2006, we acquired WikiAnswers and certain other assets for an aggregate of $2.0 million in cash. In connection with the allocation of the purchase price, we recorded goodwill of approximately $437 thousand and intangible assets, with estimated useful lives of three to ten years, of approximately $1,563 thousand. Since the date of the acquisition the revenues and operating expenses of WikiAnswers have been included in our results of operations.

 

Brainboost

 

On December 1, 2005, we acquired Brainboost, developer of the Brainboost Answer Engine which we have integrated into our Answers from the Web technology, an artificial intelligence technology enabling natural language search on the Web. As consideration for the acquisition, we paid $4.0 million in cash and issued 439,000 shares of our common stock, valued at approximately $5.6 million at the time of the acquisition. In connection with the allocation of the purchase price, we recorded an intangible asset related to the Brainboost technology, of approximately $5.4 million, with an estimated useful life of six years, and recognized compensation expense of approximately $4.2 million.

 

Under the terms of the acquisition, 50% and 25% of the shares of common stock were held in escrow for 3 and 6 months after the purchase date, respectively. Release from escrow was contingent upon our continued employment of one of the principals of the general partnership that formerly owned Brainboost. The escrowed shares were deemed to be compensation for services to be performed by the principal of the seller over the six-month period ending May 31, 2006. Because the escrow criteria were met, the shares were released from escrow, as scheduled, on March 1, 2006 and June 1, 2006. As a result, we recorded a compensation expense charge of approximately $4.2 million, which represented the value of these shares, on a straight-line basis, over the requisite six-month employment commitment period.

 

The stock component of the consideration was subject to a registration rights agreement pursuant to which we agreed that if our registration statement was not effective with the SEC by April 1, 2006, we would pay the sellers a penalty of $100,000 per month, pro-rated daily. Our registration statement was declared effective on June 9, 2006; consequently, we paid the sellers $227 thousand in the second quarter of 2006.

 

In June 2006, we completed our initial beta integration of the Brainboost technology into Answers.com as Answers from the Web. We plan to further develop the technology through enhancements to its accuracy, range and speed.

 

Pending Lexico Acquisition

 

On July 13, 2007, we entered into a purchase agreement to acquire all of the outstanding limited liability interests of Lexico Publishing Group, LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $100 million in cash, subject to adjustments for closing net working capital, which amounted to an addition of approximately $2.7 million as of September 30, 2007, and certain transaction expenses of Lexico. Our transaction expenses incurred in connection with this acquisition are estimated to be $2.2 million. According to the terms of our agreement, $10 million which we refer to as the Lexico Employee Bonuses may be paid to the employees of Lexico, subject to certain terms and conditions and a pre-determined payout schedule. In the event that these terms and conditions are not met, the portion of the Lexico Employee Bonuses not paid to employees will be due to the members. In addition, $10 million, or the hold back amount, of the purchase price will secure the indemnification obligations of the members under the agreement, as well as any post-closing purchase price adjustments for net working capital and transaction expenses. If the over-allotment option is exercised by the underwriters of this offering, we intend to use the net proceeds from such exercise to place in escrow all or a portion of the hold back amount. Otherwise, at our election, we may place in escrow or hold back all or a portion of the hold back amount for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the acquisition. The hold back amount will accrue interest at a rate of 7% per annum to be paid at maturity. If we choose to hold back all or a portion of the hold back amount, our obligation to pay the hold back amount and any accrued interest, to the members of Lexico will be secured by a security interest in all of our assets and intellectual