v2.4.1.9

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies) | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Nature of Operations and Reorganization | Angie’s List, Inc. (collectively with its wholly owned subsidiaries, the “Company”) operates a national local services consumer review service and marketplace where consumers can research, shop for and purchase local services for critical needs, such as home, health and automotive services, as well as rate and review the providers of these services. Ratings and reviews, which are available only to the Company's members, assist members in identifying and hiring the best provider for their local service needs. Membership subscriptions are sold on a monthly, annual and multi-year basis. The consumer rating network "Angie's List" is maintained and updated based on consumer feedback. The Company also sells advertising in its monthly publication, on its website and mobile applications and through its call center to service providers that meet certain ratings criteria. In addition, the Company's e-commerce marketplace offerings provide consumers with the opportunity to purchase services directly through the Company's marketplace from highly-rated service providers. The Company's services are provided in markets located across the continental United States. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes necessary for fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with U.S. GAAP. Operating results from interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the fiscal year as a whole. For additional information, including a discussion of the Company’s significant accounting policies, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Operating Segments | Operating Segments Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise engaging in business activities for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company manages its business on the basis of one operating segment.
Principles of Consolidation | The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Estimates | Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and reported revenue and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature considered, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the results for the periods.
Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following conditions are met: there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the service has been provided to the customer, the collection of the fees is reasonably assured and the amount of fees to be paid by the customer is fixed or determinable. Membership Revenue Revenue from the sale of membership subscriptions is recognized ratably over the term of the associated subscription. Prior to 2014, the Company generally received a one-time, nonrefundable enrollment fee at the time a member joined. Enrollment fees are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over an estimated average membership life of 80 months for annual or multi-year members and 13 months for monthly members, which is based on historical membership experience. The Company reviews the estimated average membership lives on an annual basis, or more frequently if circumstances change. Changes in member behavior, performance, competition and economic conditions may cause attrition levels to change, which could impact the estimated average membership lives. The Company discontinued charging one-time nonrefundable enrollment fees in 2014.
Service Provider Revenue | Service Provider Revenue Revenue from the sale of advertising in the Company’s Angie's List Magazine publication is recognized in the period in which the publication is published and distributed. Revenue from the sale of website, mobile and call center advertising is recognized ratably over the time period the advertisements run. Revenue from e-commerce vouchers is recognized on a net basis when the voucher is delivered to the purchaser. While the Company is not the merchant of record with respect to its customers for these transactions, it does offer customers refunds in certain circumstances. Accordingly, revenue from e-commerce transactions is recorded net of a reserve for estimated refunds.
Deferred Revenue | Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue includes the unamortized portion of revenue associated with membership and service provider fees for which the Company received payment in advance of services or advertising to be provided. Deferred revenue is recognized as revenue when the related services or advertising are actually provided.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements | Recent Accounting Pronouncements In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-05: Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement ("ASU 2015-05"). The amendments in this update provide guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the update specifies that the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. The update further specifies that the customer should account for a cloud computing arrangement as a service contract if the arrangement does not include a software license. ASU 2015-05 will be effective for the Company in fiscal year 2016. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this update to the consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03: Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs ("ASU 2015-03"). The update sets forth a requirement that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs is not affected by the amendments in this update. ASU 2015-03 will be effective for the Company in fiscal year 2016. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this update to the consolidated financial statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15: Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern ("ASU 2014-15"). The update sets forth a requirement for management to evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern, a responsibility that did not previously exist in U.S. GAAP. The amendments included in this update require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Specifically, the amendments (1) provide a definition of the term substantial doubt, (2) require an evaluation every reporting period, including interim periods, (3) provide principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans, (4) require certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans, (5) require an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) require an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). ASU 2014-15 will be effective for the Company in fiscal year 2016. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this update to the consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"). The update outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that "an entity recognizes 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." The update also requires significantly expanded disclosures related to revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company in fiscal year 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the future impact and method of adoption of this update with respect to the consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes- Valuation Allowance | Income Taxes - Valuation Allowance The Company evaluates whether it will realize the benefits of its net deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance to reduce the carrying value of its deferred tax assets to the amount considered more likely than not to be recognized. Deferred tax assets arise as a result of tax loss carryforwards and various differences between the book basis and the tax basis of such assets. The Company periodically reviews the deferred tax assets for recoverability based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. Should there be a change in the ability to recover deferred tax assets, the tax provision would be adjusted in the period in which the assessment is changed. There has been no change to the Company's assessment during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

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- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy regarding (1) the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements and (2) its treatment of interests (for example, common stock, a partnership interest or other means of exerting influence) in other entities, for example consolidation or use of the equity or cost methods of accounting. The accounting policy may also address the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts and transactions, noncontrolling interest, and the income statement treatment in consolidation for issuances of stock by a subsidiary. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51655414&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733093&loc=d3e5614-111684 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3A-02) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27015204&loc=d3e355033-122828 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph k -Article 1 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02, 03 -Article 3A + Details
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