WebMD

WebMD

File:WebMD Logo.svg
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Healthcare information
Founded	1998 (1998)
Founder	Jeff Arnold
Headquarters	New York City , United States
Key people	Robert N. Brisco (CEO)
Products	Online health and wellness information, Medscape, MedicineNet, RxList, eMedicineHealth, OnHealth, theheart.org
Owner	Internet Brands
Number of employees	2,060 (2024)
Website	webmd.com

WebMD is a U.S.-based company dedicated to delivering online health and wellness information. Its website offers comprehensive resources on medications and healthcare topics, positioning it as a prominent platform for consumer health information.

Established in 1998 by internet pioneer Jeff Arnold, WebMD experienced rapid growth through key mergers. In 1999, it combined forces with Sapient Health Network (SHN) and Direct Medical Knowledge (DMK). SHN was founded in 1996 by Jim Kean, Bill Kelly, and Kris Nybakken, all former associates from Creative Multimedia. Later that same year, WebMD merged with Healtheon, which was created by James H. Clark, the founder of Netscape Communications, thereby strengthening its technological capabilities and market footprint.

Operating as a subsidiary under Internet Brands, WebMD is based in New York City and employed around 2,060 people as of 2024. The company reported revenues totaling US$636 million that year, underscoring its solid position within the healthcare information sector. Robert N. Brisco serves as CEO, steering the company’s strategic initiatives and growth efforts.

History

WebMD has established itself as a leading online health information provider, featuring resources such as symptom checkers, drug and pharmacy details, and physician-authored blogs. Additionally, it offers users a platform to manage personal medical records. Since 2001, WebMD has continuously held accreditation from URAC, demonstrating adherence to stringent standards regarding disclosures, content integrity, security, and privacy protection.

In 2016, the company generated $705 million in revenue. The following year, Internet Brands—owned by private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR)—acquired WebMD Health Corporation for about $2.8 billion. WebMD further broadened its offerings by acquiring ADDitude in May 2021, a print and digital publication dedicated to ADHD patients and caregivers, followed by the purchase of Jim.fr in August 2022, a leading French medical news website.

Company

WebMD’s revenue model primarily relies on advertising income, third-party sponsorships, and contributions, some of which have an impact on content presentation. In response to declining pharmaceutical ad revenues in 2013—due largely to patent expirations on major drugs—the company invested in improving its website to boost user engagement.

The organization caters to both consumers and medical professionals. It publishes WebMD the Magazine, which is freely distributed in approximately 85% of physicians’ waiting areas. Medscape—a professional portal within the WebMD Health Network—provides clinical resources spanning 30 medical specialties, educational materials, a medication database, and forums for physician discussions. WebMD Health Services offers private health management programs along with benefit decision-support tools tailored for employers and health plans.

The WebMD Health Network encompasses several specialized websites including Medscape, MedicineNet, eMedicineHealth, RxList, OnHealth, and theheart.org—each delivering targeted health content and services. MedicineNet is focused on consumer-oriented health information; Medscape serves healthcare professionals with up-to-date clinical data; RxList provides comprehensive drug information; eMedicineHealth supplies accessible medical content based on professional sources.

WebMD China functions independently through an unaffiliated online publishing entity and does not fall under the WebMD Health Network umbrella.

Criticism

In 2011, The New York Times Magazine raised concerns that WebMD's content might be biased toward pharmaceutical sponsors, potentially encouraging the use of unnecessary medications. Virginia Heffernan characterized the platform as filled with "pseudo-medicine and subtle misinformation."

Julia Belluz from Vox criticized WebMD in 2016 for fostering hypochondriac tendencies and endorsing treatments lacking solid scientific backing, including green coffee supplements for weight reduction, vagus nerve stimulation to address depression, and fish oil for managing high cholesterol.

A 2016 physician survey revealed that WebMD and its affiliate Medscape occasionally delivered incomplete medical information and contained inaccuracies. Additional research pointed out a deficiency in impartiality, possibly linked to significant payments from the pharmaceutical sector compared to other competitors.