X

Twitter sells mobile ad network MoPub to AppLovin for $1.05 billion in cash

CEO Jack Dorsey says the sale will allow Twitter to "invest in the core products that position Twitter for long-term growth."

Abrar Al-Heeti Technology Reporter
Abrar Al-Heeti is a technology reporter for CNET, with an interest in phones, streaming, internet trends, entertainment, pop culture and digital accessibility. She's also worked for CNET's video, culture and news teams. She graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Though Illinois is home, she now loves San Francisco -- steep inclines and all.
Expertise Abrar has spent her career at CNET analyzing tech trends while also writing news, reviews and commentaries across mobile, streaming and online culture. Credentials
  • Named a Tech Media Trailblazer by the Consumer Technology Association in 2019, a winner of SPJ NorCal's Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2022 and has three times been a finalist in the LA Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.
See full bio
Abrar Al-Heeti
Jack Dorsey

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey says the sale of MoPub will increase the social media company's focus.

 Getty Images

Twitter on Wednesday said it's selling its MoPub mobile advertising network to marketing software company AppLovin for $1.05 billion in cash. Twitter bought MoPub in 2013, reportedly for $350 million in stock.

The social network said in a release that the sale will allow it to "accelerate the development of owned and operated revenue products and drive growth across key areas" like performance-based advertising and commerce incentives. 

"This transaction increases our focus and demonstrates confidence in our revenue product roadmap, accelerating our ability to invest in the core products that position Twitter for long-term growth and best serve the public conversation," Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said in a release. "We thank the incredible teams and customers who have contributed to making MoPub a success within Twitter over the years."

Last year, MoPub generated around $188 million in annual revenue, according to the release.