Enabled advertisers to target display ads based on user search intent and behavior across the web, connecting search activity with programmatic display advertising.
Last updated Feb 21, 2026 by AI Enrichment
Pioneer in search retargeting technology
Magnetic was a programmatic advertising technology company that pioneered search retargeting, allowing advertisers to target display ads to users based on their search behavior across the web. The company developed proprietary technology to capture search intent data and translate it into targeted display advertising campaigns. Magnetic's platform enabled marketers to reach audiences who had demonstrated interest in specific products or services through their search queries, even if those searches occurred outside of the advertiser's own properties. The company was a notable player in the programmatic advertising space during the early-to-mid 2010s, offering solutions that bridged search intent with display advertising. Magnetic served agencies and brands looking to leverage search behavior data for more effective audience targeting and campaign performance. In 2015, Magnetic was acquired by Criteo, the performance marketing technology company, which integrated Magnetic's search retargeting capabilities into its broader commerce marketing platform. The acquisition allowed Criteo to expand beyond its core retargeting business and incorporate search intent data into its targeting capabilities.
Core platform enabling display ad targeting based on user search behavior and intent signals
Programmatic audience targeting solutions leveraging search data and behavioral signals