Patch

Leading hyperlocal news and advertising network in the United States

Patch is a hyperlocal news and information platform that operates hundreds of community-specific websites across the United States. Founded in 2007 and acquired by AOL in 2009 before being spun out in 2014, Patch provides local news coverage while serving as an advertising platform for local businesses to reach highly targeted geographic audiences. The platform combines editorial content with advertising solutions that enable small and medium-sized businesses to advertise at the neighborhood level. Patch's advertising technology focuses on hyperlocal targeting, allowing businesses to reach specific communities and neighborhoods through display advertising, sponsored content, and email newsletters. The platform serves as a bridge between local journalism and local commerce, monetizing its content through a combination of self-service advertising tools and managed advertising services. With its network of local sites, Patch has established itself as a significant player in the local digital advertising market. The company operates under Patch Media Corporation and has evolved its business model to focus on sustainable local journalism supported by advertising revenue. Patch competes in the fragmented local media market against traditional newspapers, other digital local news sites, and broader digital advertising platforms that offer geographic targeting capabilities.