Facebook Buys Social Media Trendspotter

Facebook has acquired social media tracker CrowdTangle, which identifies trending stories and influential individuals. Terms were not disclosed.

Founded in 2011, the company 'began by experimenting with Facebook's public API and trying to come up with creative products we could build on top of their social data', according to its web site. Its software now watches for emerging hot topics on sites including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter, and is used by newspapers, television networks, sports teams and nonprofit groups such as Greenpeace and Unicef, among others.

Following the buy, CrowdTangle's management will remain in charge of operations, helping Facebook to improve the insights and data it provides to publishers.

Web site: www.crowdtangle.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.