SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Consolidation and Accounting for Investments

Basis of Consolidation and Accounting for Investments

        The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, all entities that are wholly-owned by the Company and all entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest, whether through voting interests or variable interests. The Company's consolidated financial statements include one variable interest entity, in which the Company has a controlling financial interest through voting rights and is also the primary beneficiary. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

        Investments in entities in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial matters of the investee, but does not have a controlling financial interest, are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in entities in which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial matters of the investee are accounted for using the cost method. The Company evaluates each cost and equity method investment for impairment on a quarterly basis and recognizes an impairment loss if a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary. Such impairment evaluations include, but are not limited to: the current business environment, including competition; going concern considerations such as financial condition and the rate at which the investee company utilizes cash and the investee company's ability to obtain additional financing to achieve its business plan; the need for changes to the investee company's existing business model due to changing business environments and its ability to successfully implement necessary changes; and comparable valuations. If the Company has not identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of a cost method investment, then the fair value of such cost method investment is not estimated, as it is impracticable to do so.

Accounting Estimates

Accounting Estimates

        Management of the Company is required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions during the preparation of its consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). These estimates, judgments and assumptions impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

        On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and judgments including those related to the fair values of marketable securities and other investments, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, the useful lives and recovery of definite-lived intangible assets and property and equipment, the carrying value of accounts receivable, including the determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts and other revenue related reserves, the reserves for income tax contingencies, the valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets and the fair value of and forfeiture rates for stock-based awards, among others. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience, its forecasts and budgets and other factors that the Company considers relevant.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

        The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services are rendered or merchandise is delivered to customers, the fee or price charged is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Deferred revenue is recorded when payments are received in advance of the Company's rendering of services or delivery of merchandise.

Search & Applications

        The Search & Applications segment's revenue consists principally of advertising revenue which is generated primarily through the display of paid listings in response to search queries, as well as from advertisements appearing on its destination search websites and portals and certain third party websites and the syndication of search results generated by Ask-branded destination search websites. The Company obtains the substantial majority of its paid listings from third-party providers, primarily Google Inc. ("Google"). Paid listings are priced on a price per click and when the Company delivers a user's click to a paid listing supplied by Google, Google bills the advertiser and shares a portion of its resulting paid listing fee with the Company. The Company recognizes paid listing revenue from Google when it delivers the user's click. In cases where the user's click is generated by a third party site, the Company recognizes the amount due from Google as revenue and records the revenue share obligation to the third-party site as traffic acquisition costs.

Match

        Match's revenue consists primarily of subscription fee revenue generated from customers who subscribe to online personals services on Match.com and most of Match's other personals websites. Subscription fee revenue is recognized over the terms of the applicable subscriptions, which primarily range from one to six months. Deferred revenue at Match totaled $94.9 million and $57.4 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Match also earns revenue from online advertising, primarily from OkCupid, which was acquired in January 2011. Online advertising revenue is recognized every time an ad is displayed.

Local

        HomeAdvisor's lead acceptance revenue is generated and recognized when an in-network home service professional is delivered a consumer lead. HomeAdvisor's activation revenue is generated through the enrollment and activation of a new home service professional. Activation revenue is initially deferred and recognized over 24 months. Prior to 2010, the period of recognition was 36 months. The change was based on an updated estimate of the economic life of an in-network home service professional. Deferred revenue totaled $3.8 million and $5.0 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

        CityGrid Media's revenue is primarily generated through the sale of local and national online advertising. There are several types of internet advertisements, and the way in which advertising revenue is earned varies among them. Depending upon the terms, revenue might be earned every time a user clicks on an ad, every time an ad is displayed, or every time a user clicks-through on the ad and takes a specified action on the destination site.

Media

        Revenue of media businesses included in this segment is generated primarily through online advertising, media production and subscriptions. Online advertising revenue is recognized every time an ad is displayed or over the period earned, media production revenue is recognized based on delivery and acceptance and subscription fee revenue is recognized over the terms of the applicable subscriptions, which are one month or one year.

Other

        Shoebuy's revenue consists of merchandise sales, reduced by incentive discounts and sales returns, and is recognized when delivery to the customer has occurred. Delivery is considered to have occurred when the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership, which is on the date of shipment. Allowances for returned merchandise are based on historical experience. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are recorded as revenue. The costs associated with shipping goods to customers are recorded as cost of revenue.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

        Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term investments, with maturities of less than 91 days from the date of purchase. Domestically, cash equivalents primarily consist of AAA rated treasury and government agency money market funds and commercial paper rated A2/P2 or better. Internationally, cash equivalents primarily consist of AAA prime and government money market funds and time deposits.

Marketable Securities

Marketable Securities

        The Company invests in certain marketable securities, which primarily consist of short-to-intermediate-term debt securities issued by states of the U.S. and subdivisions thereof and investment grade corporate issuers. The Company only invests in marketable securities with active secondary or resale markets to ensure portfolio liquidity and the ability to readily convert investments into cash to fund current operations, or satisfy other cash requirements as needed. From time to time, the Company may invest in marketable equity securities as part of its investment strategy. All marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value. The unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities, net of tax, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate component of shareholders' equity. The specific-identification method is used to determine the cost of securities sold and the amount of unrealized gains and losses reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings.

        The Company employs a methodology that considers available evidence in evaluating potential other-than-temporary impairments of its investments. Investments are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis is determined to be other-than-temporary. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is other-than-temporary include the length of time and extent to which fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and whether it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before the recovery of the amortized cost basis, which may be maturity. If a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded in current earnings and a new cost basis in the investment is established.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

        Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts and revenue reserves. Accounts receivable outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, the Company's previous loss history, the specific customer's ability to pay its obligation to the Company and the condition of the general economy and the customer's industry. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible. The Company also maintains allowances to reserve for potential credits issued to customers or other revenue adjustments. The amount of these reserves are based, in part, on historical experience.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

        Property and equipment, including significant improvements, are recorded at cost. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Asset Category	Estimated Useful Lives
Buildings and leasehold improvements	3 to 39 Years
Computer equipment and capitalized software	2 to 3 Years
Furniture and other equipment	3 to 10 Years

        The Company capitalizes certain internal use software costs including external direct costs utilized in developing or obtaining the software and compensation and other employee-related costs for personnel directly associated with the development of the software. Capitalization of such costs begins when the preliminary project stage is complete and ceases when the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose. The net book value of capitalized internal use software amounted to $29.2 million and $33.9 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

        Goodwill acquired in business combinations is assigned to the reporting unit(s) that are expected to benefit from the combination as of the acquisition date. The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually as of October 1, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit or the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset below its carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss equal to the excess is recorded. If the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss equal to the excess is recorded. See Note 6 for discussion of impairment charges recorded in 2010 and 2009. There were no impairment charges recorded in 2011.

        The Company's reporting units are consistent with its determination of its operating segments. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. The Company's operating segments, reporting units and reportable segments are as follows:

Operating Segment and Reporting Unit	Reportable Segment
IAC Search & Media	Search & Applications
Match	Match
HomeAdvisor	Local
CityGrid Media	Local
Connected Ventures	Media
DailyBurn	Media
Shoebuy	Other

        Media and Other includes other operating segments that do not have goodwill. See Note 15 for additional information regarding the Company's method of determining operating and reportable segments.

        The fair value of each of the Company's seven reporting units exceed their carrying values by more than 20% at October 1, 2011, the date of our most recent annual impairment assessment.

Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets with Definite Lives

Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets with Definite Lives

        Long-lived assets, which consist of property and equipment and intangible assets with definite lives, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying value is deemed not to be recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is computed either on a straight-line basis or based on the period in which the economic benefits of the asset will be realized.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

        The Company categorizes its assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:

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  Level 1: Observable inputs obtained from independent sources, such as quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

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  Level 2: Other inputs that are observable directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. The fair value of the Company's Level 2 financial assets is primarily obtained from observable market prices for identical underlying securities that may not be actively traded. Certain of these securities may have different market prices from multiple market data sources, in which case an average market price is used.

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  Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and require the Company to develop its own assumptions, based on the best information available in the circumstances, about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. See Note 9 for a discussion of assets measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs.

        The Company's non-financial assets, such as goodwill, intangible assets and property and equipment, as well as equity and cost method investments, are measured at fair value only when an impairment charge is recognized. Such fair value measurements are based predominantly on Level 3 inputs. See Note 6 for a discussion of goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges and Note 8 for a discussion of impairment charges related to equity and cost method investments.

Traffic Acquisition Costs

Traffic Acquisition Costs

        Traffic acquisition costs consist of payments made to partners who distribute our B2B customized browser-based applications, integrate our paid listings into their websites or direct traffic to our websites. These payments include amounts based on revenue share and other arrangements. The Company expenses these payments as a component of cost of revenue in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

Advertising Costs (excluding Amortization of Non-Cash Marketing)

Advertising Costs (excluding Amortization of Non-Cash Marketing)

        Advertising costs are expensed in the period incurred (when the advertisement first runs for production costs that are initially capitalized) and represent online marketing, including fees paid to search engines and third parties that distribute our B2C downloadable applications, and offline marketing, principally television and radio advertising. Advertising expense was $497.2 million, $371.2 million and $347.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        The Company capitalizes and amortizes the costs associated with certain distribution arrangements that require it to pay a fee per access point delivered. These access points are generally in the form of downloadable applications associated with our B2C operations. These fees are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the access points to the extent the Company can reasonably estimate a probable future economic benefit and the period over which such benefit will be realized (generally 18 months). Otherwise, the fees are charged to expense as incurred.

Amortization of Non-cash Marketing

Amortization of Non-Cash Marketing

        Amortization of non-cash marketing consists of non-cash advertising credits secured from Universal Television as part of the transaction pursuant to which Vivendi Universal Entertainment LLLP ("VUE") was created, and the subsequent transaction by which IAC sold its partnership interests in VUE (collectively referred to as the "NBC Universal Advertising"). The NBC Universal Advertising was available for television advertising on various NBC Universal network and cable channels without any cash cost. All NBC Universal Advertising credits were used prior to December 31, 2009.

Legal Costs

Legal Costs

        Legal costs are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

        The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method, and deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying values of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is provided on deferred tax assets if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company records interest, net of any applicable related income tax benefit, on potential tax contingencies as a component of income tax expense.

        The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

        Basic earnings per share ("Basic EPS") is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to IAC shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share ("Diluted EPS") reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options and other commitments to issue common stock were exercised or equity awards vest resulting in the issuance of common stock that could share in the earnings of the Company.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transaction Gains and Losses

Foreign Currency Translation and Transaction Gains and Losses

        The financial position and operating results of substantially all foreign operations are consolidated using the local currency as the functional currency. Local currency assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange as of the balance sheet date, and local currency revenue and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange during the period. Translation gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of shareholders' equity. Transaction gains and losses resulting from assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the consolidated statement of operations as a component of other income (expense), net.

        Translation gains and losses relating to foreign entities that are liquidated or substantially liquidated are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings. Such gains totaled $9.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2011 and are included in "Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax" in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

        Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and expensed over the requisite service period. See Note 14 for a further description of the Company's stock-based compensation plans.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

        In connection with the acquisition of certain subsidiaries, management of these businesses has retained an ownership interest. The Company is party to fair value put and call arrangements with respect to these interests. These put and call arrangements allow management of these businesses to require the Company to purchase their interests or allow the Company to acquire such interests at fair value, respectively. These put and call arrangements become exercisable by the Company and the counter-party at various dates over the next five years. During 2011, one of these arrangements became exercisable. There were no put and call arrangements that became exercisable during 2010. These put arrangements are exercisable by the counter-party outside the control of the Company. Accordingly, to the extent that the fair value of these interests exceeds the value determined by normal noncontrolling interest accounting, the value of such interests is adjusted to fair value with a corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in capital. During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded adjustments of $4.3 million, $(2.1) million and $1.0 million, respectively, to increase (reduce) these interests to fair value.

        Noncontrolling interests in the consolidated subsidiaries of the Company should ordinarily be reported on the consolidated balance sheet within shareholders' equity, separately from the Company's equity. However, in accordance with Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2009-04, "Accounting for Redeemable Equity Investments-Amendment to ASC 480-10-S99", securities that are redeemable at the option of the holder and not solely within the control of the issuer, must be classified outside of shareholders' equity. Accordingly, if redemption of the noncontrolling interests is outside the control of the Company, the interests are included in the mezzanine section of the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, outside of shareholders' equity.

        Redeemable noncontrolling interests at December 31, 2011 primarily relate to Meetic and certain operations included in the Media and Other segments. Redeemable noncontrolling interests at December 31, 2010 primarily relate to the international operations of Match and certain operations included in the Media and Other segments. Redeemable noncontrolling interests at December 31, 2009 primarily relate to certain operations included in the Media and Other segments.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests

        Noncontrolling interests at December 31, 2011 relate to Meetic.

Certain Risks and Concentrations

Certain Risks and Concentrations

        A substantial portion of the Company's revenue is attributable to online advertising, the market for which is highly competitive and rapidly changing. Significant changes in this industry or changes in customer buying behavior or advertiser spending behavior could adversely affect our operating results. A significant component of the Company's revenue is attributable to a paid listing supply agreement with Google, which expires on March 31, 2016. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, revenue earned from Google was $970.4 million, $727.9 million and $561.9 million, respectively. This revenue was earned by the businesses comprising the Search & Applications segment. Accounts receivable related to revenue earned from Google totaled $105.7 million and $70.5 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

        The Company's business is subject to certain risks and concentrations including dependence on third party technology providers, exposure to risks associated with online commerce security and credit card fraud.

        Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with financial institutions and are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits.