So, let’s dive into the delightful world of social media acquisitions and the less-than-stellar outcomes that sometimes accompany them. Now, when you think of Tumblr, your mind might jump to all those meme-filled reblogs and that odd sense of community knitting itself together amidst cat pictures and fan art. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Facebook is not the overlord of Tumblr!
Back in 2013, it was none other than Yahoo that decided to put a whopping $1.1 billion on the table to grab Tumblr, hoping to infuse some social sparkle into its rather lackluster portfolio. Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo, confidently announced that they had their eyes on a “transformative acquisition.” Spoiler alert: it turned out to be about as transformative as a soggy piece of toast. The reality? Yahoo’s big move didn’t save it from the downward spiral, and Tumblr lurched along, trying to find its footing in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the rich tapestry that is Tumblr, which blossomed independently as a unique platform for creativity and self-expression. Meanwhile, Facebook continued to thrive, dominating the social media realm with its family of apps that include Instagram and WhatsApp. It’s almost poetic, really; a tale of two social media giants going their separate ways, with Facebook planting its flag firmly in the realm of social networking while Tumblr remained a quirky corner of the internet that embraces an eclectic community.
But wait, it gets funnier! In 2019, Verizon (which acquired Yahoo) decided to sell Tumblr to Automattic, the people behind WordPress. It feels like watching your favorite comic book character jump from one city to another—who knows what adventures follow! While Facebook keeps boasting about its billions of users and marketplace dominance, Tumblr now enjoys its own quirky life away from the spotlight, thriving as a specialized space for artists, bloggers, and those who just enjoy tagging their way through aesthetic wonderlands.
So, if you’re wondering who owns Tumblr, just remember: Facebook is busy posting baby photos, and Tumblr is vibing on its own sweet island of gifs and creativity!
