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Facebook to Buy Giphy for $400M (axios.com)

957 points by coloneltcb · 2335 days ago · 507 comments on HN

Article summary

Facebook is acquiring Giphy for $400 million. The acquisition provides Facebook with access to Giphy's vast dataset of user behavior and trends. This data can be used to inform Facebook's product development and advertising strategies. The terms of the deal and the actual purchase price may be different from the reported amount.

Main themes

  • Facebook acquisition
  • Giphy dataset
  • consumer trends
  • online behavior
  • reaction GIFs
  • data concentration

What commenters say

  • The acquisition gives Facebook valuable data on consumer trends and behavior, which can be used to improve its products and advertising.
  • Giphy's dataset is incredibly nuanced and can provide insights into the entire landscape of online trends and behavior.
  • The acquisition may be a case of 'vulture buying' where Facebook is taking advantage of a company that is struggling due to the current financial market conditions.
  • Some commenters question the value of Giphy's data and the effectiveness of its search functionality.
  • The use of reaction GIFs in online communication is seen as a distracting trend by some, while others enjoy the humor and personality it brings to online interactions.
  • The acquisition raises concerns about the concentration of data and power in the hands of a few large companies, and the potential for anti-competitive behavior.
  • The actual purchase price of the acquisition may be lower than the reported $400 million, and the terms of the deal may be more complex than initially reported.