Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Segments	Segments: The Company has three reportable segments: Search and Content (formerly known as Search), Tax Preparation, and E-Commerce. The Search and Content segment is the InfoSpace business, which now includes HSW, the Tax Preparation segment is the TaxACT business, and the E-Commerce segment is the Monoprice business. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the Company uses the term “Search and Content” to represent search and content services, the term “Tax Preparation” to represent services and software sold through the TaxACT business, and the term “E-Commerce” to represent products sold through the Monoprice business (see “Note 9: Segment Information”).
Principles of consolidation	Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Use of estimates	Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, and disclosure of contingencies. Estimates include those used for impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, useful lives of other intangible assets, acquisition accounting, valuation of investments, valuation of the Warrant (see “Note 8: Stockholders’ Equity”) and interest rate swap derivatives, revenue recognition, the estimated allowance for sales returns and doubtful accounts, the estimated allowance for obsolete, slow moving, and nonsalable inventory, internally developed software, accrued contingencies, stock option valuation, and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Actual amounts may differ from estimates.
Seasonality	Seasonality: Blucora’s Tax Preparation segment is highly seasonal, with the significant majority of its annual revenue earned in the first four months of the Company’s fiscal year. During the third and fourth quarters, the Tax Preparation segment typically reports losses because revenue from the segment is minimal while core operating expenses continue at relatively consistent levels. Revenue from the E-Commerce segment also is seasonal, with revenues historically being the lowest in the second quarter, a period that does not include consumer back-to-school or holiday-related spending.
Interim Financial Information Policy	Interim financial information: The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting. These consolidated financial statements are unaudited and, in management’s opinion, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Part II Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy	Short-term investments: The Company principally invests its available cash in fixed income debt and marketable equity securities. Fixed income debt securities include investment-grade income securities, AAA-rated money market funds, and insured time deposits with commercial banks. Equity securities include common stock in a publicly traded company. Such investments are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” and “Available-for-sale investments” on the consolidated balance sheets and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” on the consolidated balance sheets. Amounts reclassified out of comprehensive income into net income are determined on the basis of specific identification. The Company reviews the impairments of its available-for-sale investments and classifies the impairment of any individual available-for-sale investment as either temporary or other-than-temporary. The differentiating factors between temporary and other-than-temporary impairments are primarily the length of the time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
Inventory, Policy	Inventories: Inventories, consisting of merchandise available for sale in the E-Commerce business, are accounted for using the first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) method of accounting and are valued at the lower of cost or market and include the related inbound shipping and handling costs. Inventory quantities on hand are reviewed regularly, and allowances are maintained for obsolete, slow moving, and nonsalable inventory.
Business Combinations Policy	Business combinations and intangible assets including goodwill: The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method, and, accordingly, the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives on a straight-line basis, except for the installed code base technology which is amortized proportional to expected revenue. Acquisition-related costs, including advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other similar costs, are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.
Derivatives, Policy	Derivative instruments and hedging: The Company recognized derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at their fair value. The Company recorded changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments as gains or losses either in “Other loss, net” on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, for those not designated as a hedging instrument (the Warrant – see “Note 8: Stockholders’ Equity”), or in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” on the consolidated balance sheets, for those used in a hedging relationship (the interest rate swap – see “Note 6: Debt”). The Warrant and interest rate swap were settled in the last half of 2013. The change in the fair value of the Warrant resulted in losses of $4.0 million and $5.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The interest rate swap agreement was used for the purpose of minimizing exposure to changes in interest rates and was accounted for as a cash flow hedge. The hedge was perfectly effective through termination, and no ineffectiveness was recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy	Fair value of financial instruments: The Company measures its cash equivalents, available-for-sale investments, and derivative instruments at fair value. The Company considers the carrying values of accounts receivable, other receivables, inventories, prepaid expenses, other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities to approximate fair values primarily due to their short-term natures. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Marketable equity securities are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because the Company values its marketable equity securities using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Cash equivalents and debt securities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because the Company values its cash equivalents and debt securities utilizing market observable inputs. The Company classified its interest rate swap derivative within Level 2 as the valuation inputs were based on quoted prices and market observable data of similar instruments. As previously discussed, the interest rate swap was terminated in 2013. The Company classified the Warrant derivative within Level 3, because it was valued using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model, which had significant unobservable inputs related to historical stock price volatility. This unobservable input reflected the Company’s assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. This valuation required significant judgment. As previously discussed, the Warrant was settled in 2013.
Supplier Concentration Risk Policy	Supplier concentration: A material part of Monoprice’s business is dependent on two vendors. These unrelated vendors accounted for 15% and 18% of Monoprice’s inventory purchases during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and 19% of Monoprice's inventory purchases during the period from August 22, 2013 (the date which Monoprice was acquired) to September 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, these unrelated vendors accounted for 21% and 20% of Monoprice’s related accounts payable, respectively.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy	Recent accounting pronouncements: Changes to GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the form of accounting standards updates (“ASUs”) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). The Company considers the applicability and impact of all recent ASUs. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations. In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance codified in ASC 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which amends the guidance in former ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition." The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This will be achieved in a five-step process. Enhanced disclosures also will be required. This guidance is effective on a retrospective basis--either to each reporting period presented or with the cumulative effect of initially applying this guidance recognized at the date of initial application--for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. Earlier adoption is not permitted. The Company currently is evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2014, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Segments: The Company has three reportable segments: Search and Content (formerly known as Search), Tax Preparation, and E-Commerce. The Search and Content segment is the InfoSpace business, which now includes HSW, the Tax Preparation segment is the TaxACT business, and the E-Commerce segment is the Monoprice business. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the Company uses the term “Search and Content” to represent search and content services, the term “Tax Preparation” to represent services and software sold through the TaxACT business, and the term “E-Commerce” to represent products sold through the Monoprice business (see “Note 9: Segment Information”).

Principles of consolidation

Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Use of estimates

Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, and disclosure of contingencies. Estimates include those used for impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, useful lives of other intangible assets, acquisition accounting, valuation of investments, valuation of the Warrant (see “Note 8: Stockholders’ Equity”) and interest rate swap derivatives, revenue recognition, the estimated allowance for sales returns and doubtful accounts, the estimated allowance for obsolete, slow moving, and nonsalable inventory, internally developed software, accrued contingencies, stock option valuation, and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Actual amounts may differ from estimates.

Seasonality

Seasonality: Blucora’s Tax Preparation segment is highly seasonal, with the significant majority of its annual revenue earned in the first four months of the Company’s fiscal year. During the third and fourth quarters, the Tax Preparation segment typically reports losses because revenue from the segment is minimal while core operating expenses continue at relatively consistent levels. Revenue from the E-Commerce segment also is seasonal, with revenues historically being the lowest in the second quarter, a period that does not include consumer back-to-school or holiday-related spending.

Interim Financial Information Policy

Interim financial information: The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting. These consolidated financial statements are unaudited and, in management’s opinion, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Part II Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy

Short-term investments: The Company principally invests its available cash in fixed income debt and marketable equity securities. Fixed income debt securities include investment-grade income securities, AAA-rated money market funds, and insured time deposits with commercial banks. Equity securities include common stock in a publicly traded company. Such investments are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” and “Available-for-sale investments” on the consolidated balance sheets and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” on the consolidated balance sheets. Amounts reclassified out of comprehensive income into net income are determined on the basis of specific identification.

The Company reviews the impairments of its available-for-sale investments and classifies the impairment of any individual available-for-sale investment as either temporary or other-than-temporary. The differentiating factors between temporary and other-than-temporary impairments are primarily the length of the time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

Inventory, Policy

Inventories: Inventories, consisting of merchandise available for sale in the E-Commerce business, are accounted for using the first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) method of accounting and are valued at the lower of cost or market and include the related inbound shipping and handling costs. Inventory quantities on hand are reviewed regularly, and allowances are maintained for obsolete, slow moving, and nonsalable inventory.

Business Combinations Policy

Business combinations and intangible assets including goodwill: The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method, and, accordingly, the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives on a straight-line basis, except for the installed code base technology which is amortized proportional to expected revenue. Acquisition-related costs, including advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other similar costs, are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.

Derivatives, Policy

Derivative instruments and hedging: The Company recognized derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at their fair value. The Company recorded changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments as gains or losses either in “Other loss, net” on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, for those not designated as a hedging instrument (the Warrant – see “Note 8: Stockholders’ Equity”), or in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” on the consolidated balance sheets, for those used in a hedging relationship (the interest rate swap – see “Note 6: Debt”). The Warrant and interest rate swap were settled in the last half of 2013.

The change in the fair value of the Warrant resulted in losses of $4.0 million and $5.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

The interest rate swap agreement was used for the purpose of minimizing exposure to changes in interest rates and was accounted for as a cash flow hedge. The hedge was perfectly effective through termination, and no ineffectiveness was recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy

Fair value of financial instruments: The Company measures its cash equivalents, available-for-sale investments, and derivative instruments at fair value. The Company considers the carrying values of accounts receivable, other receivables, inventories, prepaid expenses, other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities to approximate fair values primarily due to their short-term natures.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Marketable equity securities are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because the Company values its marketable equity securities using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Cash equivalents and debt securities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because the Company values its cash equivalents and debt securities utilizing market observable inputs. The Company classified its interest rate swap derivative within Level 2 as the valuation inputs were based on quoted prices and market observable data of similar instruments. As previously discussed, the interest rate swap was terminated in 2013. The Company classified the Warrant derivative within Level 3, because it was valued using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model, which had significant unobservable inputs related to historical stock price volatility. This unobservable input reflected the Company’s assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. This valuation required significant judgment. As previously discussed, the Warrant was settled in 2013.

Supplier Concentration Risk Policy

Supplier concentration: A material part of Monoprice’s business is dependent on two vendors. These unrelated vendors accounted for 15% and 18% of Monoprice’s inventory purchases during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and 19% of Monoprice's inventory purchases during the period from August 22, 2013 (the date which Monoprice was acquired) to September 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, these unrelated vendors accounted for 21% and 20% of Monoprice’s related accounts payable, respectively.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy

Recent accounting pronouncements: Changes to GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the form of accounting standards updates (“ASUs”) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). The Company considers the applicability and impact of all recent ASUs. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance codified in ASC 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which amends the guidance in former ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition." The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This will be achieved in a five-step process. Enhanced disclosures also will be required. This guidance is effective on a retrospective basis--either to each reporting period presented or with the cumulative effect of initially applying this guidance recognized at the date of initial application--for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. Earlier adoption is not permitted. The Company currently is evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2014, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.