Team Internet Group PLC (AIM:TIG, OTCQX:TIGXF, FRA:4CN) this week outlined continued progress across its search, AI and international expansion initiatives, while also updating investors on refinancing discussions and strategic interest in its DIS business.
Speaking with Proactive from New York, chief executive Michael Riedl said the company had now completed its transition from Google’s longstanding AdSense for Domains model to the newer “Related Search on content” framework.
Riedl said the transition had required recalibration across the industry but noted that Team Internet was now firmly in its scaling phase. He described the updated search model as offering a richer experience for advertisers and consumers, while positioning the company for long-term optimisation opportunities.
The CEO also highlighted the company’s AI-powered comparison business, which focuses on helping consumers make better purchasing decisions rather than simply identifying the lowest prices.
Here, we take a closer look at what was said when Michael Riedl joined the Proactive studio.
Proactive: joining me now from our OTC studios in New York City is Michael Riedl, CEO of Team Internet Group PLC. Michael, it’s really great to have you along. How are you?
Michael Riedl: I’m great, Steve. Thank you for having me.
Proactive: Good to have you along. The company has been very busy. Remind everyone a little bit about what Team Internet does.
Michael Riedl: Team Internet powers online identity and online discovery, which means the company helps businesses around the world create and protect their online identity, while also helping consumers discover merchants online.
Proactive: Last time we spoke, you discussed the company’s search transition. That process is now completed and you’ve entered the scaling phase. What does that mean?
Michael Riedl: The company previously operated under Google’s AdSense for Domains model, which had been successful for two decades. Google and the wider industry are now transitioning toward “Related Search on content,” which is more content-rich and offers a better experience for advertisers and consumers. That required recalibration across the ecosystem, but the transition is now complete and the company is focused on scaling and optimization.
Proactive: The AI scaling appears to be proving successful as well?
Michael Riedl: Yes. In the comparison business, Team Internet focuses on helping customers make the right purchase decisions, not just find the cheapest prices. The company uses a different AI approach by pre-manufacturing AI results instead of relying on live prompting. This makes results faster, more reliable and free from hallucinations. The company’s traffic numbers have remained strong despite broader industry declines linked to generative AI.
Proactive: Is France providing evidence that the strategy is working internationally?
Michael Riedl: Yes. Internationalization is one of the company’s largest growth opportunities. Currently the comparison business mainly serves German-speaking markets, but expansion into France has delivered strong growth. France alone is now larger than all foreign markets combined were last year.
Proactive: There has also been progress on refinancing efforts. Can you update investors?
Michael Riedl: The company has been having constructive discussions with fixed income investors and hopes to provide an update within the next few weeks. Progress is being made.
Proactive: Can you also update us on DIS and the strategic optionality there?
Michael Riedl: The company recently announced that it had received several competing bids for DIS at valuation levels that could allow Team Internet to retire all debt while still supporting future shareholder returns. DIS is considered a very attractive business, so management is taking the time needed to secure the best outcome.
Proactive: Overall, it sounds like the business fundamentals are performing strongly while the corporate structure catches up?
Michael Riedl: Yes. The domains business remains very solid. Team Internet is also positioned to benefit from the ICANN new generic top-level domains round, which could introduce hundreds or thousands of new domain extensions over the next few years.
Proactive: How important is North America to Team Internet’s future growth?
Michael Riedl: The United States is already the company’s largest market for both domains and search. The next step is making it the leading market for the comparison business after France.
Proactive: Exciting times ahead. Michael, thanks very much for joining us.
