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Yoast, the search engine optimization (SEO) plugin supplier for WordPress, has been acquired by Newfold Digital, a digital technology firm backed by Clearlake Capital and Siris Capital. The purchase is part of Newfold Digital’s long-term plan to provide world-class web presence tools and services to Newfold Digital clients in order to support online success in the digital world.
Yoast is a WordPress plugin that is used on over 12 million sites. The SEO plugin aids website owners in increasing traffic from search engines like Google and Bing, as well as increasing reader interaction and attracting more visitors from social media. In addition, Yoast has a well-developed online academy with SEO training classes. Newfold Digital will use Yoast’s expertise to extend its SEO solutions in order to better serve the company’s roughly seven million clients.
Yoast will now join Newfold Digital’s portfolio of brands, which also includes Bluehost, Web.com, Domain.com, and Network Solutions. Newfold Digital will take on all Yoast workers, including its executive team. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
“SEO is a growing need in our customer base and essential to online success, especially as we see more businesses expand their online presence,” said Sharon Rowlands, President and CEO of Newfold Digital. “Yoast is a well-known and respected brand in the WordPress community. We are excited to welcome them to the Newfold family and to help improve SEO and drive visitors to our growing customer base.”
Portfolio of Web Presence Brands
“We are delighted to welcome Yoast to the Newfold Digital family,” said James Pade, Partner, Clearlake, and Tyler Sipprelle, Managing Director at Siris. “We want Newfold Digital to be the partner of choice for online presence companies that want to work with an established leader in the space as they seek their next stage of growth.”
Yoast’s financial advisor was RBC Capital Markets, and its legal counsel was Morrison & Foerster LLP. Newfold Digital has Raymond James as its financial advisor and Sidley Austin LLP as its legal counsel.
“We’re excited to join Newfold Digital to continue our mission of SEO for everyone by leveraging the leading global portfolio of web presence brands,” said Marieke van de Rakt, CEO of Yoast. “We are confident that the strength and leadership Newfold Digital provides will help to ensure Yoast remains the most used SEO plugin for WordPress for many years to come and will fuel future innovation.”
