Apple acquires social analytics firm Topsy for some US$200m

3 Dec 2013

Apple has acquired Topsy Labs Inc for more than US$200m but as to what the consumer tech titan intends to do with the social media analytics company is unclear.

The Wall Street Journal, citing ‘people familiar with matter’, reported Apple’s purchase of Topsy, which specialises in analysing global Twitter data and providing insights into the current sentiment of various subjects.

A spokeswoman for Apple confirmed the deal, but only said “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”

Analysts, however, have suggested that Apple could use Topsy’s insights in several of its services, such as iTunes, the Siri voice assistant, or iAd advertising platform. For example, Topsy’s analysis could help Apple recommend content to iTunes users.

The Wall Street Journal reported one analyst as having said Topsy’s data could benefit some of Apple’s partners, such as media companies that provide content for the iTunes stores, iOS app developers, and advertisers in iAd.

Apple logo on building image via Shutterstock

Tina Costanza was a journalist and sub-editor at Silicon Republic

editorial@siliconrepublic.com