Patch Scores Highest Traffic, Revenue in its History

Patch announced that May 2012 was its most successful traffic and revenue period in the company’s history on Monday.

Patch—AOL’s platform of local news, information and engagement sites—served a record 11.7 million users in May, representing a 14 percent increase over April (10.3 million users) and an 11 percent increase over its previous traffic record (10.6 million users in August 2011), according to the company.

The company also announced that:

• This 14 percent month-over-month growth outpaced the comScore Regional/Local category as a whole, which grew only 3 percent over the same time period.
• Patch had a 12 percent increase in engagement (visits per unique visitor) from April to May. Within the top ten regional-local properties, this represents the highest increase in engagement month over month, and ranks Patch as the second highest in engagement among those properties.
• With an average site age of just over 18 months, Patch is now the Number 5 regional/local property on the web, from Number 10 when it first entered the rankings in December 2010.
• Patch’s total revenue was 14 percent higher than its previous record (November of 2011). This represents a 17 percent bump in revenue over April of 2012. Patch has already booked for 2012 130 percent of its total 2011 revenue.

“We are extremely gratified to see these measures of the traction we have gained in our communities and in our business since our launch just over 3 years ago,” said CEO and Co-Founder of Patch Jon Brod. “We are laser-focused on continuing to serve our users and advertisers with high-quality content and impactful products, and building upon our success to date in innovative and engaging ways.”

The news of Patch’s May performance follows the recent announcement by AOL Chairman and CEO Tim Armstrong that Patch will generate between $40 million and $50 million in revenue this year. Patch also recently announced the launch of Patch Partners, a program to offer exclusive benefits to its local advertisers and resources for business owners at large.

Launched in 2009 with the mission of becoming the most trusted source of local news and information via a platform of hyperlocal sites, Patch serves 12 cities and communities in San Diego County.