So, you’re wondering who currently owns that quirky little corner of the internet called Tumblr, huh? Well, let me paint you a picture of the fascinating ownership saga behind this beloved microblogging paradise.
Initially, when you ventured into the world of Tumblr, it was like stepping into a hipster’s dream—founded in 2007 by the brilliant David Karp, it became the playground for endless gifs, memes, and an array of multimedia magic. The platform was a sweet spot for creatives, dreamers, and the endlessly sarcastic. However, as we all know, every rad party eventually has a shift in management.
After David Karp decided to step away from the driver’s seat, Tumblr experienced a rollercoaster ride of ownership. The internet broadly knows that Yahoo! swooped in like a knight in shining armor back in 2013, dropping around $1.1 billion for the platform. Yahoo!’s takeover meant the quirky vibe of Tumblr was to be wrapped in a corporate blanket, but hey, it was still cool enough to keep its eclectic spirit alive… for a little while.
Then, Yahoo! found itself caught up in the wild world of Verizon Communications, leading to the acquisition by the telecom giant in 2017. Not long after, Verizon, probably realizing that it had just taken on one of the quirkiest yet most unpredictable children of the internet, decided to unload Tumblr like it was a hot potato. That’s when Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com and a champion of open-source goodness, came into the picture.
Today, Tumblr is proudly owned by American company Automattic, which acquired it in 2019 for approximately $3 million—now that’s what you call a steal! Automattic’s vision was clear: take this microblogging treasure and revitalize its outrageous creativity while preserving its unique culture. They’ve been tweaking features and introducing new tools to help creators thrive and flourish within the platform, so you know they’re genuinely committed to maintaining that haha-quirky vibe.
So, here we are, in the age of Automattic, where your Tumblr feed can still lead you down the rabbit hole of cat videos and fan art galore. Want to join a community of meme aficionados and niche fandoms? Look no further! While the landscape has changed, and the platforms have shuffled hands like a game of musical chairs, one thing remains: Tumblr’s spirit is alive and kicking, vibrant as ever under the caring watch of Automattic.
Embrace the chaos, the humor, and all the creative outputs that make this platform a delightfully chaotic refuge for rebels and misfits alike. Embrace it! Remember, it’s not just a website; it’s a cultural phenomenon, perched at the edge of absurdity and creativity.
