How-To Geek
How-To Geek is a US-based online consumer-technology publication delivering how-to guides, product reviews, buying guides, and curated tech deals to roughly 15 million monthly visitors, operated as a subsidiary brand within Valnet Inc.'s digital media portfolio and monetized via display advertising and affiliate commerce.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersSterling, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What How-To Geek does
How-To Geek is an online consumer-technology publication and editorial property that produces how-to guides, product reviews, buying guides, news, and curated tech deals across categories including PC hardware, operating systems (Linux, Windows, Android, iOS), mobile, streaming platforms, smart home, homelab, single-board computing, AI/ML, and automotive technology. Founded in 2006, the site attracts roughly 15 million monthly visitors and ranks among the top 500 US websites. Content is delivered through a WordPress-based publishing platform operated by Valnet Inc., a Montreal-headquartered private digital media conglomerate (Valnet's portfolio also includes Screen Rant, Collider, MovieWeb, and CBR), which provides shared editorial infrastructure, ad-sales relationships, and operational tooling.
The company makes money through two monetization layers: display advertising placed throughout articles and pages (including a formalized Sponsored content format), and affiliate commerce — embedding retailer-tagged links inside reviews, buying guides, and Tech Deals articles, with the publisher earning commissions on resulting purchases. Content is freely accessible to readers with no subscription paywall or paid membership tier; revenue is therefore earned indirectly via advertisers and affiliate partners rather than through direct reader payments. The audience spans general technology consumers seeking accessible, jargon-light explanations alongside more technically inclined readers who consume deeper tutorials on Linux, Btrfs/ZFS, Docker, networking, and homelab infrastructure.
How-To Geek operates as a subsidiary brand under Valnet Inc. (corporate parent headquartered in Montreal, Canada) with an editorial operation in Sterling, United States, and a global English-speaking readership spanning the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Distribution is fully digital: the owned website, an email newsletter, and organic social channels (Facebook, X, Threads, Bluesky, LinkedIn, Reddit, Flipboard). Leadership is anchored by CEO Lowell Heddings. The headcount sits at 11-50 employees, consistent with a lean editorial team supported by Valnet's centralized corporate functions.
How-To Geek firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- How-To Geek
- Legal name
- Valnet Inc.
- Website
- https://howtogeek.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- How-To Geek is a US-based online consumer-technology publication delivering how-to guides, product reviews, buying guides, and curated tech deals to roughly 15 million monthly visitors, operated as a subsidiary brand within Valnet Inc.'s digital media portfolio and monetized via display advertising and affiliate commerce.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
How-To Geek industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Technology Media and Online Publishing
- NAICS
- Computer Training (61142)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Foundational Computer & Device Literacy (EDAAAIAA)
Keywords
Where How-To Geek is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sterling
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
How-To Geek business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Display Advertising: The site generates revenue through display advertising placements throughout its pages, including standard banner ads and sponsored content sections such as the 'Sponsored' article format visible in the Deals Center and article pages.
- Affiliate Commerce: How-To Geek embeds affiliate links within product reviews, buying guides, and tech deal articles. The site earns commissions when readers purchase products through these links, as evidenced by links tagged with affiliate parameters (e.g., 'tag=hotoge-20') and statements such as 'When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.'
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
How-To Geek product offering
Product offeringCore offering
How-To Geek is an online technology magazine that publishes how-to tutorials, product reviews, buying guides, news articles, and curated tech deals across categories including PC hardware, Linux, Windows, software, mobile devices, streaming platforms, and automotive technology. Content is freely accessible to readers and monetized through display advertising and affiliate commerce commissions.
Product overview
How-To Geek is a technology news and editorial website that publishes articles, guides, reviews, and news content covering various technology topics including PC hardware, software, operating systems (Linux, Windows), mobile devices (Android, iOS), streaming platforms, automotive technology, and consumer electronics. The site operates as part of the Valnet Publishing Group portfolio and generates revenue through affiliate marketing and display advertising. The primary offering is editorial content rather than a software product or platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- How-To Geek Editorial Website Free online technology magazine publishing how-to tutorials, product reviews, buying guides, and news articles covering PC hardware, operating systems, software, mobile devices, streaming platforms, and automotive technology for general consumers and hobbyists.
- Tech Deals Center
Companies that use How-To Geek
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
How-To Geek technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
How-To Geek partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Valnet Inc.flagshipHow-To Geek is owned and operated by Valnet Inc., a Montreal-based digital media company founded by Hassan Youssef, a former online porn entrepreneur. Valnet acquired and rebranded the site and operates it as a flagship property within its portfolio of entertainment and technology news sites. Valnet provides the editorial infrastructure, advertising sales, and publishing platform for How-To Geek, integrating it with a cross-promotional network that includes Screen Rant, Collider, MovieWeb, and CBR.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
How-To Geek competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CNET: CNET is a long-running consumer technology publication offering how-to guides, product reviews, and deals content to mainstream audiences. It directly competes with How-To Geek for SEO-driven tech explainer traffic and affiliate commerce revenue.
- Tom's Hardware: Tom's Hardware is a leading PC hardware-focused publication with deep reviews, buying guides, and tutorials. It overlaps heavily with How-To Geek's PC hardware, components, and peripherals coverage and competes for the same enthusiast buyer audience.
- ZDNet: ZDNet is a long-established technology news and advice site covering enterprise and consumer technology with reviews and how-tos. It competes with How-To Geek for general consumer and prosumer tech search traffic.
- The Verge: The Verge is a consumer technology publication covering gadgets, software, streaming, and culture with reviews and explainers. Its breadth of consumer-tech editorial and reviews content directly mirrors How-To Geek's coverage areas.
- Digital Trends: Digital Trends publishes consumer technology reviews, how-tos, and buying guides spanning gadgets, computing, and home entertainment. It competes head-to-head with How-To Geek for affiliate-driven buyer-intent traffic.
- Engadget: Engadget is a consumer electronics and technology publication offering news, reviews, and guides. It targets a similar mainstream tech-curious audience as How-To Geek, with overlapping monetization through affiliate links.
- Ars Technica: Ars Technica is a technology publication offering in-depth news, reviews, and tutorials with a technically literate readership. It overlaps with How-To Geek's power-user content around Linux, open source, and advanced hardware.
- Mashable: Mashable covers consumer technology, entertainment, and digital culture with reviews and how-to content. It targets a similar mainstream audience and competes for SEO-driven tech explainer traffic.
- MakeUseOf: MakeUseOf is a consumer technology how-to and explainer site covering software, apps, and DIY tech. It targets the same broad consumer-tech-curious readership as How-To Geek and competes directly for long-tail SEO traffic.
Broad incumbents
- Wired: Wired is a premium consumer technology and culture magazine covering gadgets, science, and policy. While broader and more brand-led than How-To Geek, it competes for affiliate-driven gadget reviews and technology audience attention.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
How-To Geek social profiles
Digital presenceHow-To Geek financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
How-To Geek leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
How-To Geek funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
How-To Geek 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 How-To Geek
What does How-To Geek do?
How-To Geek is an online technology magazine that publishes how-to tutorials, product reviews, buying guides, news articles, and curated tech deals across categories including PC hardware, Linux, Windows, software, mobile devices, streaming platforms, and automotive technology. Content is freely accessible to readers and monetized through display advertising and affiliate commerce commissions.
Is How-To Geek a public or private company?
How-To Geek is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was How-To Geek founded?
How-To Geek was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is How-To Geek based?
How-To Geek is headquartered in Sterling, United States, in the North America region.
How does How-To Geek make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Display Advertising is the primary driver. The others are affiliate Commerce.
Who are How-To Geek's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CNET, Tom's Hardware, ZDNet, The Verge, Digital Trends, Engadget, Ars Technica, Mashable and MakeUseOf. Wired is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does How-To Geek have an API?
No public API is recorded for How-To Geek.
What industry is How-To Geek in?
How-To Geek's product category is Technology Media and Online Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAIAA, Foundational Computer & Device Literacy. Its NAICS code is 61142 and its SIC code is 8200.