Ciao

Ciao AG was a significant player in the European digital landscape, founded in Munich in the summer of 1999 by Max Cartellieri, Verena Mohaupt, and Frederick Paul. The company launched its online portal in November 1999, quickly establishing itself as a prominent comparison shopping and consumer review platform. The business model centered on providing a forum for users to write and share reviews on a wide array of products, which in turn helped other consumers make purchasing decisions. Revenue was generated through a multi-faceted approach that included e-commerce, advertising sales, and merchant referrals, where vendors paid a commission for sales directed from the site.

The company's platform offered price comparisons by working with merchants who supplied data feeds, allowing users to click through and purchase products directly. Operating initially in several European countries including the UK, France, Spain, and Germany, Ciao expanded its reach over the years. A key aspect of its user engagement strategy involved a payment system where authors earned money when other members read their reviews. Additionally, Ciao expanded its services to include online market research surveys, leveraging its large user community.

Ciao's growth trajectory included several major corporate milestones. In February 2000, it merged with competitor Amiro.de. By 2005, the company was acquired by the American online panel company Greenfield Online for $154 million, a move that led to the departure of its original founders. A significant ownership change occurred in August 2008 when Microsoft acquired Ciao's parent company, Greenfield Online, for approximately $486 million, aiming to bolster its own e-commerce and search presence in Europe. The journey continued in March 2012 when the French company LeGuide Group acquired Ciao from Microsoft, adding it to a portfolio of other shopping guides and comparison websites. Finally, in 2016, Kelkoo acquired the LeGuide group, bringing Ciao under new ownership once again before the platform was ultimately closed down in February 2018.

Keywords: Ciao AG, price comparison, consumer reviews, e-commerce portal, online shopping guide, merchant referrals, product reviews, Greenfield Online, Microsoft acquisition, LeGuide Group, Kelkoo, Max Cartellieri, Frederick Paul, Verena Mohaupt, European e-commerce, online market research, comparison shopping engine, user-generated content, shopping community, digital marketplace