What Inquirer.net does

Inquirer.net is a Philippine digital news platform operated by Inquirer Interactive, Incorporated, the digital arm of the Inquirer Group of Companies (IGC), which also publishes the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Founded on October 26, 1997 with a four-person team and grown to 150+ staff, INQUIRER.net serves Filipino readers in the Philippines and the global diaspora (notably in the United States and Canada) through a unified multi-vertical network ranked the #1 Filipino news website by Similarweb. The product surface spans 20+ owned sub-brand sites covering News (Newsinfo), Global Nation, Business (with Property), Lifestyle, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Opinion, USA & Canada, plus pivoted print titles (Bandera for Tagalog entertainment, CDN Digital for Cebuano hyper-local), Hinge-acquired lifestyle niches (Preen, Scout PH, Noli Soli, Multisport, Libre), and specialized verticals (Esports, F&B Report, Mobility, Radyo Inquirer DZIQ 990 AM), supported by add-on products such as INQ Today daily newscast, Look Through documentaries, INQside Look interviews, INQ Stories readables, the Be an Inquirer community platform, and the BrandRoom in-house advertising unit.

The platform is built on a WordPress CMS served behind Cloudflare (CDN, bot management, DDoS protection), with Microsoft ASP.NET session handling, Microsoft Clarity and Google Analytics for session analytics, Pardot for marketing automation, and a broad set of programmatic ad integrations (Criteo, ID5, Reddit, Facebook Pixel, Microsoft Advertising). A daily email newsletter, RSS fullfeed, and the proprietary BrandRoom digital management platform extend distribution and audience targeting capabilities. Mobile access is supported via m.inquirer.net.

The business model is advertising-led: INQUIRER.net is free to consumers and monetizes through display and programmatic ads across its network, branded content and custom campaigns via BrandRoom, custom audience targeting based on first-party analytics, and newsletter sponsorship. No consumer subscription pricing is publicly disclosed. The customer base is split between Filipino general news readers (primary, long-tail consumer audience at home and abroad) and major brand advertisers buying premium online placements (named anchors include SM Supermalls, Dunkin', and PCSO). Operating geographies cover the Philippines, the United States, Canada, and the broader global Filipino diaspora via dedicated verticals and sub-brands.

Name

Inquirer.net

Legal name

Inquirer Interactive, Incorporated

Website

https://inquirer.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Inquirer.net is a Philippine digital news platform operated by Inquirer Interactive Inc. (Inquirer Group). Founded in 1997, it serves Filipino readers at home and abroad through 20+ multi-vertical sub-brand sites, multimedia video products, and ranks as the #1 Filipino news website by Similarweb.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital News Publishing

NAICS

Newspaper Publishers (513110), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711)

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer News & Digital Newsrooms (Web/App-First) (MPAJADAD)

Keywords

• Digital news publishing
• Online journalism
• Multimedia content
• Branded content advertising
• Programmatic ad sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Daly City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Display and programmatic advertising: Banner and ribbon advertising sold across inquirer.net and all sub-brand properties to major advertisers in key industries; described as a preferred choice for online advertising.
2. BrandRoom branded content / custom publishing: In-house creative advertising unit producing branded content, features, advertorials and integrated campaigns; pivoted Hinge custom business to digital custom.
3. Custom audience targeting / data platform: Launched a digital management platform to sell custom audience segments to advertisers based on first-party reader analytics.
4. Newsletter subscriptions and direct audience CRM: Free daily email newsletter driving direct audience relationships, governed by Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
5. Affiliate / referral monetization (Lotto results): Daily Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) lotto results content that drives sustained engagement with cross-link to PCSO reporting.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Inquirer.net operates a multi-vertical digital news platform delivering breaking Philippine and international news across sections (News, Global Nation, Business, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Opinion, USA & Canada) along with multimedia video products, sub-brand sites, a daily newsletter, and a branded-content/advertising platform (BrandRoom) sold to major advertisers. Content is free to readers and monetized primarily through display/programmatic advertising, branded content, custom audience targeting, and sponsored placements across the Inquirer network including Bandera, CDN Digital, POP!, Preen, Scout PH, Noli Soli and DZIQ 990 AM radio.

Product overview

Inquirer.net is a unified multi-section digital news platform operated by Inquirer Interactive, Inc. (part of the Inquirer Group of Companies), built around a single core news website with vertical sections (News, Global Nation, Business, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Opinion, USA & Canada) and a portfolio of sub-brands and add-on modules. The core platform integrates pivoted print brands (Cebu Daily News Digital, Bandera) and Hinge-acquired niche titles (Preen, Scout PH, Noli Soli), plus add-on products including BrandRoom (advertising unit), INQFocus (data editorial), INQ Today (daily live newscast), Look Through (documentaries), INQside Look (interviews), INQ Stories (readables), Be an Inquirer / BAI (community UGC platform), Today's Paper (Page One Single), the Lotto Results service, Videos, and the daily Newsletter, all distributed via web, mobile, and social channels including YouTube, TikTok, Reddit, Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Newsinfo: Main news vertical of INQUIRER.net covering national, metro, and regional news in the Philippines.
• Global Nation
• Business (Inquirer Business)
• Lifestyle (Lifestyle.INQ)
• Entertainment (Inquirer Entertainment)
• Sports (Inquirer Sports)
• Technology (Inquirer Technology)
• Opinion
• Bandera
• CDN Digital
• POP!
• INQFocus
• BrandRoom
• Radyo Inquirer
• Esports
• Libre
• Scout PH
• Noli Soli
• Preen
• Multisport
• F&B Report
• Mobility
• Property

Products and services

• INQUIRER.net flagship news website The unified multi-section online news platform of the Inquirer Group of Companies, combining News, Global Nation, Business, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Opinion, USA & Canada and other verticals for Filipino readers in the Philippines and overseas.
• News (Newsinfo) Main Philippine news section covering Metro, Regions, Nation and World news, including live blogs and INQFocus investigative pieces.
• Inquirer Business Business, economy, banking, energy and property coverage for Filipino professionals and investors, including a Property sub-section on real estate.
• Bandera Tagalog entertainment tabloid turned digital sub-brand, delivering celebrity, showbiz and entertainment news for Filipino readers of all ages.
• CDN Digital (Cebu Daily News Digital) Digital arm of Cebu Daily News providing hyper-local news, enterprise and sports coverage for Cebuanos in the Philippines and overseas.
• BrandRoom INQUIRER.net's in-house creative advertising unit that produces branded content, advertorials, integrated campaigns and a custom-audience platform for advertisers across the Inquirer network.
• INQ Videos channel Centralized video hub aggregating INQUIRER.net's news, feature and live videos, mirrored on YouTube.
• Radyo Inquirer (DZIQ 990 AM) Online hub for the group's radio station DZIQ 990 AM, extending INQUIRER.net's audio and Tagalog-language coverage.
• Today's Paper (Page One Single) Single-page digital replica of the day's Philippine Daily Inquirer print front page, available via the navigation menu on inquirer.net.
• Lotto Results service Daily Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) lotto results service showing Megalotto 6/45, Grand Lotto 6/55, Super Lotto 6/49, Lotto 6/42, 6D, 4D, 3D and 2D draw outcomes, jackpots and winners.
• Daily Email Newsletter Free daily email newsletter subscription product requiring agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, driving direct audience relationships.
• Advertise platform Self-service and managed advertising platform letting brands buy direct placements on INQUIRER.net properties and across the Inquirer network (Libre, Scout, Nolisoli, Preen, Multisport, F&B Report, Bandera, CDN, DZIQ 990 AM, Mobility).

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked #1 Filipino news website per Similarweb rankings.
• +4 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration17 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Hinge (lifestyle niche titles)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Hinge is a niche company home to lifestyle brands acquired by INQUIRER.net in 2021; described as a bold move aligned with INQUIRER.net's goal of expanding its presence in various audience segments. The Hinge custom business was pivoted to digital custom and integrated into the lifestyle proposition to give voice to Gen Z and millennials.
• Cebu Daily News / CDN DigitalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three major acquisitions; Cebu Daily News print title was pivoted into CDN Digital, the number one online site for Cebuanos here and abroad. Editors from CDN Digital contribute to INQUIRER.net's anniversary storytelling.
• Bandera (Tabloid)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTagalog tabloid acquired and pivoted into the number one online entertainment site; the 'Widening horizon' milestone explicitly lists Bandera as a major acquisition.
• Inquirer Group of Companies (parent)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerINQUIRER.net is the digital arm of the Inquirer Group of Companies (IGC). IGC CEO Ma. Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez describes INQUIRER.net as pivotal to IGC's digital expansion. CEO Paolo R. Prieto leads INQUIRER.net; COO Imelda C. Alcantara leads daily operations.
• Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINQUIRER.net builds on the credibility and journalism of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, sharing content and editorial standards; PDI Chairman Atty. Raul J. Palabrica and CEO/President Atty. Rudyard S. Arbolado publicly endorse INQUIRER.net's 25th anniversary.
• DZIQ 990 AM (Radyo Inquirer)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRadio station partner listed in the site footer and partners section, providing audio extension of INQUIRER.net editorial at radyo.inquirer.net.
• SM SupermallscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured advertiser/partner; the SM Supermalls at 40 branded microsite on INQUIRER.net highlights SM's 40th anniversary with custom editorial and sponsored storytelling, including pop culture, e-sports, food, wellness and community narratives.
• Dunkin'minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured advertiser with ribbon ad placements on inquirer.net (e.g., Dunkin Mochi Donut promotion).
• PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured advertiser with ribbon ad placements on inquirer.net for PCSO lotto products; INQUIRER.net also publishes daily PCSO lotto results.
• Preen.phminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner site linked in the site footer and main navigation, providing beauty/lifestyle content.
• Scout PH (Scoutmag.ph)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner site linked in the site footer and main navigation, providing Gen Z lifestyle content.
• Noli SoliminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner site linked in the site footer and main navigation.
• Multisport.phminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner site linked in the site footer and main navigation.
• F&B ReportminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner site linked in the site footer and main navigation, providing food & beverage coverage.
• Mobility (INQ Mobility)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner property (inqmobility.com) linked in the site footer and main navigation.
• LibreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner property (libre.inquirer.net) linked in the site footer.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Rappler: Philippine digital-native news outlet operating a multi-vertical news, lifestyle and investigative platform with a large social video footprint; competes directly with INQUIRER.net for Filipino news audiences and digital ad budgets.
• Spot.ph: Philippine lifestyle and entertainment site within the Summit Media network covering pop culture, food, and celebrity; directly competes with INQUIRER.net's POP!, Preen, Scout PH and Bandera lifestyle/entertainment properties.
• Esquire Philippines: Men's lifestyle and culture magazine integrated into the Philippine digital media landscape; comparable to Hinge-acquired Scout PH and Nolisoli as a niche lifestyle brand monetized through display and branded content.

Broad incumbents

• ABS-CBN News: Digital news arm of the broader ABS-CBN media conglomerate covering Philippine news, entertainment and lifestyle; overlaps INQUIRER.net's verticals and competes for the same advertisers and audiences.
• GMA News Online: Digital news property of GMA Network, one of the Philippines' largest broadcast groups; offers national/regional news, lifestyle and entertainment verticals that compete directly with INQUIRER.net's coverage.
• Philippine Star: Major Philippine broadsheet with a large digital edition covering news, business, lifestyle and entertainment; structurally similar to INQUIRER.net as a multi-vertical legacy news publisher going digital.
• Manila Bulletin: Long-running Philippine newspaper with a sizable digital edition spanning news, business, lifestyle and entertainment; competes with INQUIRER.net for Filipino general news readership and advertiser dollars.
• CNN Philippines: Philippine digital news outlet offering national, global and lifestyle coverage under the CNN brand; overlaps INQUIRER.net's news and lifestyle verticals with similar ad-supported digital economics.

Emerging players

• Summit Media: Philippine multi-brand lifestyle and entertainment publisher (formerly Print/Now digital) operating titles like Preview, Esquire, Spot.ph; comparable to Inquirer's Hinge-acquired lifestyle portfolio and Bandera/POP! verticals.

Regional players

• Yahoo Philippines: Aggregated news and lifestyle portal serving Filipino audiences under the Yahoo brand; competes for the same digital ad budgets and audience attention but as a global aggregator rather than a Philippines-first editorial brand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/inquirerdotnet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@inquirerdotnet
• Facebookfacebook.com/inquirerdotnet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inquirer-interactive-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/inquirerdotnet
• TikToktiktok.com/@inquirerdotnet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Inquirer.net