What Whatis.com does

WhatIs.com is a free online IT definitions and technology explainers platform operated by TechTarget, a B2B technology media subsidiary of Informa TechTarget (itself part of Informa plc). Founded in 1999, the site serves two primary personas — business leaders and decision makers who need to understand technology concepts for business decisions, and IT professionals and technical practitioners seeking authoritative technical references. The platform is organized into nine major topic categories: Business software, Cloud computing, Computer science, Data analytics and AI, Data centers, IT management, Networking, Security, and Software development, with content browsable both alphabetically (A-Z glossary) and by topic.

The core product is a web-based content management platform delivering thousands of IT definitions, supplemented by in-depth feature guides on complex topics such as Agentic AI, risk management, enterprise cybersecurity, AI in healthcare, quantum computing, and ransomware. Adjacent features include a tech news section, educational resources organized by business strategies, career resources, emerging tech, and tech explainers, plus RSS distribution. The platform is purely editorial — there is no native mobile app, no published API or SDK, no third-party integrations, and no proprietary software components described. It functions as an information reference property rather than a software product.

Monetization follows the TechTarget B2B media model: revenue is generated through display advertising, sponsored content placements, and vendor sponsorships within the broader TechTarget content ecosystem. Distribution is content-led and SEO-driven, with cross-promotion across TechTarget's network of vertical technology properties (Enterprise AI, Security, CIO, IT Operations, Data Management). All content is freely accessible with no pricing or subscription model. Headcount is stated at 501-1,000 employees, though this likely reflects the broader TechTarget organization rather than WhatIs.com specifically.

Name

Whatis.com

Legal name

TechTarget

Website

https://whatis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

WhatIs.com is a free online IT glossary and technology explainer platform operated by TechTarget, a subsidiary of Informa TechTarget. It serves business leaders and IT professionals with authoritative definitions across nine technology domains, monetized through advertising and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Newton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Advertising and sponsorship: TechTarget operates a B2B media business model where WhatIs.com generates revenue through display advertising, sponsored content placements, and vendor sponsorships within its technology content ecosystem.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

WhatIs.com is a free online IT definitions and technology explainers platform that provides business leaders and IT professionals with comprehensive technical reference content. The site organizes thousands of definitions alphabetically (A-Z) and by nine major topic categories including Cloud computing, Security, Data analytics and AI, Networking, and Software development, supplemented by in-depth guides on emerging technologies and a tech news section.

Product overview

WhatIs.com is a single unified content platform operated by TechTarget that provides IT definitions and technology explainers for business leaders. The platform offers an alphabetically organized Browse Definitions feature alongside topic-based categorization covering nine major IT domains (Business software, Cloud computing, Computer science, Data analytics and AI, Data centers, IT management, Networking, Security, and Software development). The service includes In-Depth Guides for comprehensive technical topics, a Tech News section for current industry developments, and Resources for career and business strategy content. WhatIs functions as an educational reference and learning resource rather than a software product with integrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WhatIs.com IT Definitions and Tech Explainers Platform
• TechTarget TechAccelerators (In-Depth Guides)
• TechTarget News

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• TechTarget NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhatIs.com is an integral part of the TechTarget Network of B2B technology media properties. The site operates in conjunction with vertical sites including Enterprise AI, Security, CIO, IT Operations, Data Management, Networking, and others, providing foundational definition content that supports the broader TechTarget content ecosystem.

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Techopedia: Techopedia is a free online IT dictionary and technology encyclopedia offering definitions, articles, and explainers for IT and business professionals. It is the closest pure-play peer to WhatIs.com in terms of content format, audience, and SEO-driven business model.
• CIO (IDG): CIO.com is a flagship B2B technology media property for CIOs and senior IT leaders, providing news, analysis, and in-depth features. It targets the same 'business leaders and IT decision-makers' segment as WhatIs.com and monetizes via advertising/sponsorship.
• Spiceworks: Spiceworks is a community-driven IT resource site with articles, forums, product reviews, and a glossary serving IT professionals and SMB buyers. Its free, content-led model and practitioner audience make it a close peer for WhatIs.com.
• TechRepublic: TechRepublic is a B2B technology content site providing news, tutorials, downloads, and definitions for IT professionals. It overlaps heavily with WhatIs.com's IT-practitioner audience and editorial format, including a long-running glossary of tech terms.
• InformationWeek: InformationWeek is a B2B technology publication covering enterprise IT strategy, infrastructure, and emerging tech. It is a direct competitive peer for WhatIs.com's audience and is notably also part of the Informa TechTarget network.
• ZDNet: ZDNet is a global technology news and explainer site covering enterprise IT, software, hardware, and emerging tech. Its deep-dive explainers and glossary-style content overlap directly with WhatIs.com's definition and guide assets.
• Network World: Network World is a B2B media brand focused on enterprise networking, with news, how-tos, and glossaries. It competes for the same networking-segment reader attention as WhatIs.com's Networking category and uses a similar ad-driven model.
• Computerworld: Computerworld is a long-running IT media brand delivering news, analysis, and feature articles to enterprise IT decision-makers. It shares WhatIs.com's enterprise-IT audience and ad-supported editorial business model.
• SearchEnterpriseAI (TechTarget): SearchEnterpriseAI is a sister TechTarget Network property focused on enterprise AI news and explainers. It is a direct peer within the same parent, competing for the same B2B tech reader attention and ad dollars in the AI category.

Broad incumbents

• Gartner: Gartner is the dominant incumbent in IT research and advisory, offering syndicated research, Magic Quadrants, and advisory services to the same enterprise IT and business leader audience as WhatIs.com. It is a broader, higher-touch incumbent rather than a content-only peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/techtarget
• Facebookfacebook.com/231963570219936
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/margaretrouse

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Whatis.com