Distractify
Distractify is a US-based ad-supported digital media publisher producing entertainment, pop culture, reality TV, and influencer content. Operating as Engrost, Inc. since 2013, the company serves general entertainment news consumers globally through its website, email newsletter, and social media channels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Distractify does
Distractify is a US-based digital media publisher operating under the legal entity Engrost, Inc. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York, the company produces editorial content covering entertainment, pop culture, reality television, celebrities, influencers, and trending viral stories. The site is organized into six content verticals — Entertainment, Television, Trending, Influencers, Human Interest, and Exclusives — with a recurring branded series called 'Distracted With' that features original interviews and exclusive content. Content distribution is entirely digital and consumer-facing, delivered through the Distractify.com website, a daily email newsletter, and social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
The business operates on an ad-supported model, providing all content free to consumers and generating revenue through advertising placements on the website and between articles. The company targets general entertainment news consumers as its primary audience, with secondary audiences including reality TV enthusiasts (Love Island USA, Real Housewives franchise) and influencer-content followers. Distribution is global in digital scope, though the company has no explicit international expansion strategy and serves primarily North American traffic. The company has no mobile app, no public API, no SDK, and no disclosed subscription, paywall, commerce, or alternative monetization products.
Distractify is a private company with no public stock listing. The company raised a single disclosed round of $7 million in June 2014 (Series 2) led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, with participation from Lerer Hippeau, CAA Ventures, and Advancit Capital. No subsequent funding rounds, acquisitions, partnerships, or leadership changes are documented. Headcount is reported in the 11-50 range, consistent with a lean digital media operation. The site continues to actively publish content as of mid-2026.
Distractify firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Distractify
- Legal name
- Engrost, Inc.
- Website
- https://distractify.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Distractify is a US-based ad-supported digital media publisher producing entertainment, pop culture, reality TV, and influencer content. Operating as Engrost, Inc. since 2013, the company serves general entertainment news consumers globally through its website, email newsletter, and social media channels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Distractify industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Entertainment Media
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Social Media & Community Management (PR-led) (BPAFADAM)
Keywords
Where Distractify is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Distractify business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Distractify product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Distractify is a digital media publishing website that creates and covers trending entertainment, pop culture, television, influencer, and human interest content. The company operates as an ad-supported online platform publishing articles, news, and exclusive interviews across categories including Entertainment, Television, Trending, Influencers, Human Interest, and Exclusives. Content is distributed globally via the website, an email newsletter, and social media channels.
Product overview
Distractify is a digital media publishing website focused on entertainment, pop culture, television, influencers, and human interest content. The company operates as a unified content platform publishing articles, news, and entertainment coverage across multiple categories including Entertainment, Television, Trending, Influencers, Human Interest, and Exclusives. The site functions as a content-first media property without distinct product modules, sub-brands, or separately monetized product offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Distractify Website and Content Platform
- Distractify Daily Newsletter
- Distracted With (Exclusive Content Series)
Companies that use Distractify
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Distractify technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Distractify partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves3 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Distractify competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Just Jared: Long-running celebrity news and entertainment gossip site with heavy social media distribution. Directly comparable to Distractify in editorial focus (celebrity, entertainment) and traffic-driving approach.
- PopSugar: Digital media brand covering pop culture, celebrity news, entertainment, and lifestyle. Comparable to Distractify in audience demographic, entertainment focus, and multi-channel (social, newsletter, site) distribution.
- Refinery29: Digital media company targeting millennial women with entertainment, pop culture, and lifestyle content. Comparable in audience demographic, content verticals, and digital-first distribution strategy.
- BuzzFeed: Digital media publisher covering pop culture, entertainment, celebrity news, and trending viral content. Closely comparable in category focus, audience demographic, ad-supported model, and distribution strategy to Distractify.
- Page Six: Celebrity gossip and entertainment news brand covering reality TV, influencers, and trending pop culture. Directly comparable in editorial focus (celebrity, reality TV, trending stories) and digital-native audience approach.
- Elite Daily: Digital publisher targeting millennial/Gen Z audiences with entertainment, pop culture, and lifestyle content. Comparable in audience demographic, editorial voice, and ad-supported model.
- TMZ: Celebrity and entertainment news publisher built on breaking viral stories and exclusive content. Directly comparable in category (celebrity/entertainment) and emphasis on trending, shareable content, though TMZ is significantly larger and has linear TV assets.
Broad incumbents
- HuffPost: Major digital media publisher covering news, entertainment, and lifestyle. Overlaps with Distractify in entertainment and pop culture verticals, though operates at much larger scale with broader news coverage.
- E! News: Established entertainment and celebrity news outlet with significant web presence covering TV, celebrities, and pop culture. Comparable editorial focus to Distractify but operates as part of a larger media conglomerate (NBCUniversal) with TV assets.
- Vice Media: Large digital media company covering culture, entertainment, and news. Operates in the same broad digital publishing space as Distractify but at significantly greater scale, with video, documentaries, and international operations.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Distractify social profiles
Digital presenceDistractify financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Distractify leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Distractify funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Distractify M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Distractify
What does Distractify do?
Distractify is a digital media publishing website that creates and covers trending entertainment, pop culture, television, influencer, and human interest content. The company operates as an ad-supported online platform publishing articles, news, and exclusive interviews across categories including Entertainment, Television, Trending, Influencers, Human Interest, and Exclusives. Content is distributed globally via the website, an email newsletter, and social media channels.
Is Distractify a public or private company?
Distractify is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Distractify founded?
Distractify was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Distractify based?
Distractify is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Distractify's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Just Jared, PopSugar, Refinery29, BuzzFeed, Page Six, Elite Daily and TMZ. Broad incumbents are HuffPost, E! News and Vice Media.
Does Distractify have an API?
No public API is recorded for Distractify.
What industry is Distractify in?
Distractify's product category is Digital Entertainment Media. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFADAM, Social Media & Community Management (PR-led). Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 7990.