Katana VentraIP

ZDNET

ZDNET is a business technology news website owned and operated by Red Ventures.[1] The brand was founded on April 1, 1991, as a general interest technology portal from Ziff Davis and evolved into an enterprise IT–focused online publication.

Type of site

English, Japanese, French, Korean, German

Jason Hiner

Optional

36 million monthly[2]

  • April 1, 1991 (1991-04-01) (subscription service)
  • 1994 (1994) (website)[3]

History[edit]

Beginnings: 1991–1995[edit]

ZDNET began as a subscription-based digital service called "ZiffNet" that offered computing information to users of CompuServe. It featured computer industry forums, events, features and searchable archives.


Initially, ZiffNet was intended to serve as a common place to find content from all Ziff-Davis print publications. As such, ZiffNet was an expansion on an earlier online service called PCMagNet for readers of PC Magazine. Launched in 1988, PCMagNet in turn was the evolution of Ziff Davis' first electronic publishing venture, a bulletin board, which launched in 1985.[4]


In late 1994, Ziff-Davis expanded onto the World Wide Web under the name "ZD Net".[5][3] Dan Farber, former editor-in-chief of PC Week and MacWeek, was named editor-in-chief of the property.[6] By June 1995, the site was recording web traffic of 2.5 million pageviews per week.[7]


On June 20, 1995, Ziff-Davis announced the consolidation of its online information services under a single name, ZD Net. The service had grown its membership to 275,000 subscribers across six platforms: CompuServe, Prodigy, AT&T Interchange, the Microsoft Network, AppleLink and eWorld.[7]

Early history: 1995–2000[edit]

By its fifth anniversary in 1996, the collective "ZD Net" brand—now on the Web, America Online, Microsoft Network and Prodigy—counted 300,000 subscribers and was named the second-highest grossing advertising site on the web.[4] The site also expanded overseas: initially to France, Germany and the United Kingdom; later to China, Australia, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Spain, Taiwan and India.[8]


In 1997, the website—now the brand's flagship property—underwent another redesign that featured topical "channels" of content. It also marked the change in name from "ZD Net" to "ZDNet".[9]

Content[edit]

ZDNet operates a network of about 50 blogs loosely aligned by its major verticals: companies, hardware, software, mobile, security and IT research. Within those general areas are blogs on gadgets, management strategy, social media, datacenters, technology law, SOA, healthcare, CRM, virtualization and sustainability. The site also offers product reviews on consumer gadgets, electronics and home office equipment.

Awards and recognition[edit]

At the 14th Annual Computer Press Awards in 1999, ZDNet was adjudged the Best Overall Online Site.[39]


In 2007, the Association of Online Publishers awarded ZDNet UK under the Business Website category for its contribution to innovation in incorporating Web 2.0 and community features effectively on its site.[40]

International editions[edit]

ZDNET Japan[edit]

A Japanese news publishing company called Asahi Interactive owns the ZDNet Japan website.

ZDNET UK[edit]

The ZDNet UK Live feature displays real time news updates and comments on the website and on social media including Twitter.

Other editions[edit]

Other country editions include Australia, Asia, Belgium, China, Germany, Netherlands, UK and France, in their native languages.

Official website