Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Consolidation	Basis of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MarketWise and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying statements of operations include expenses for certain functions historically performed by a related party, including general corporate services, such as legal, accounting, treasury, information technology, human resources and administration. These expenses are based primarily on direct usage when identifiable, direct capital expenditures or other relevant allocations during the respective periods. We believe the assumptions underlying the accompanying consolidated financial statements, including the assumptions regarding these expenses from this related party, are reasonable. Actual results may differ from these expenses, assumptions and estimates. The amounts recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the actual amount of such indirect expenses that would have been recorded had we been a separate independent entity.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions made in the accompanying financial statements include, but are not limited to, the fair value of common units, derivatives, warrants, valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, useful lives of intangible assets with definite lives, benefit period of deferred contract acquisition costs, determination of standalone selling prices, estimated life of lifetime customers, recoverability of goodwill and long-lived assets, valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, the incremental borrowing rates to calculate lease liabilities and right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and certain accruals. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors and adjust those estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Segment Information	Segment Information Operating segments are components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly by our chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. Our Chief Executive Officer serves as the CODM. Based on the financial information presented to and reviewed by our CODM in assessing our performance and for the purposes of allocating resources, we have determined our operating subsidiaries represent individual operating segments with similar economic characteristics that meet the criteria for aggregation into a single reporting segment for financial statement purposes. Accordingly, we have a single reportable segment.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments From time to time, we utilize instruments which may contain embedded derivative instruments as part of our overall strategy to compensate and retain key employees and independent contractors (see Derivative Financial Instruments note below for additional information). Our derivative instruments are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. Our derivative instruments have not been designated as hedges; therefore, both realized and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in earnings. For the purposes of cash flow presentation, realized and unrealized gains or losses are included within cash flows from operating activities. Upfront cash payments received upon the issuance of derivative instruments are included within cash flows from financing activities within the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation Stock-based compensation expenses are included in cost of revenue, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses in a manner consistent with the employee’s salary and benefits in the consolidated statements of operations. 2021 Incentive Award Plan On July 21, 2021, the MarketWise, Inc. 2021 Incentive Award Plan (the “2021 Incentive Award Plan”) became effective. MarketWise has reserved a total of 32,045,000 shares of MarketWise Class A common stock for issuance pursuant to the 2021 Incentive Award Plan and the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options granted under the 2021 Incentive Award Plan is 32,045,000, in each case, subject to certain adjustments set forth therein. See also Note 9, Stock-Based Compensation. The 2021 Incentive Award Plan provides for the grant of stock options, including incentive stock options, or ISOs, and nonqualified stock options, or NSOs; restricted stock; restricted stock units, or RSUs; stock appreciation rights, or SARs; and other stock or cash-based awards. Equity-based compensation with service conditions made to employees is measured based on the grant date fair value of the awards and recognized as compensation expense over the period during which the recipient is required to perform services in exchange for the award (the requisite service period). We have elected to use a straight-line attribution method for recognizing compensation costs relating to awards that have service conditions only. Forfeitures are recorded as they occur. Class B Units As more fully described above, we completed our Transactions in July 2021, and all Class B Units fully vested as of the transaction date, and the original operating agreement was terminated and replaced by a new operating agreement consistent with the Company’s Up-C structure. This new operating agreement does not contain the put and call options that existed under the previous operating agreement, and the Common Units are treated as common equity under the new operating agreement and do not generate stock-based compensation expense. Prior to the Transactions, under the old operating agreement, and as part of our compensation and retention strategy, we granted incentive compensation units (“Class B Units”) to certain key employees, which are profit interests for United States federal income tax purposes. The Class B Units were accounted for as a substantive class of equity and allowed the recipient to realize value only to the extent that the value of the award appreciated. The Class B Units contained service-based vesting conditions and had different vesting terms depending upon the employee which ranged from vesting immediately to eight years; vesting was accelerated upon the completion of the Transactions. Compensation cost was recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period until vesting for the entire award, but at least equaled the number of vested units determined by the underlying vesting schedule. Forfeitures were accounted for in the period in which they occur. The Class B Units were subject to a put and call option whereby we could elect to redeem or be required to redeem these units at a value determined by a predefined formula based on a multiplier of our net income as defined by management. Employees may not exercise the put option until 25 months have elapsed from the issuance date. Since the redemption price is not representative of fair value, the employees are not considered to be subject to the risks and rewards of share ownership, and the Class B Units were classified as liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Prior to the completion of the Transactions, the liability for Class B units was remeasured to fair value at the end of each reporting period. Since Class B Units were classified as liabilities, all cash distributions made to the unitholders of the Class B Units pursuant to our operating agreement were considered to be stock-based compensation expenses. Upon consummation of the Transactions, the old operating agreement was terminated and a new operating agreement was adopted. This new operating agreement does not contain the put and call options that existed under the previous operating agreement, and the Common Units are treated as common equity under the new operating agreement and do not generate stock-based compensation expense.
Fair Value Measurement	Fair Value Measurement Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair values. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or an exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements as follows: Level 1—Observable inputs such as unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date; Level 2—Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; Level 3— Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The carrying amount of our financial instruments, including accounts receivable, trade and other payables, accrued expenses and related party receivables and payables, approximate their respective fair values because of their short maturities. The fair value of stock-based compensation liabilities for Class B Units, the derivatives liabilities associated with our deferred compensation arrangements, and the derivative warrant liabilities were determined using unobservable Level 3 inputs. We have not elected the fair value option for any financial assets and liabilities for which such an election would have been permitted.
Warrant Liability	Warrant Liability Warrants are accounted for as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the company’s own ordinary shares, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding. As of September 30, 2021, all of our warrants are classified as liabilities.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Prior to the Transactions, we were a pass-through entity for income tax purposes. Subsequent to the Transactions, the portion of earnings allocable to MarketWise, Inc. is subject to corporate level tax rates at the federal, state and local levels. Therefore, the amount of income taxes recorded prior to the Transaction are not representative of the expenses expected in the future. The computation of the effective tax rate and provision at each interim period requires the use of certain estimates and significant judgment including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year, projections of the proportion of income that is subject to tax, permanent differences between our GAAP earnings and taxable income, and the likelihood of recovering deferred tax assets existing as of the balance sheet date. The estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change throughout the year as new events occur, additional information is obtained or as tax laws and regulations change. Accordingly, the effective tax rate for future interim periods may vary materially. We account for income taxes pursuant to the asset and liability method which requires us to recognize current tax liabilities or receivables for the amount of taxes we estimate are payable or refundable for the current year, deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax bases of assets and liabilities and the expected benefits of net operating loss and credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period enacted. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the period in which related temporary differences become deductible. The benefit of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in our income tax returns is recognized in the financial statements if such positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. Differences between tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefit recognized and measured pursuant to the interpretation are referred to as “unrecognized benefits.” A liability is recognized (or amount of net operating loss carryover or amount of tax refundable is reduced) for an unrecognized tax benefit because it represents a potential future obligation to the taxing authority for a tax position that was not recognized. Interest costs and related penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are required to be calculated, if applicable and are recognized as general and administrative expenses.
Tax Receivable Agreement Obligation	Tax Receivable Agreement Obligation In connection with the Transactions, concurrently with the Closing, we have entered into Tax Receivable Agreements (“TRA”) with owners of MarketWise, LLC prior to the Transactions (the “TRA Parties”). The TRAs generally provide for the payment by us to the TRA Parties of 85% of the cash tax benefits, if any, that we are deemed to realize as a result of tax basis adjustments as a result of sales and exchanges of units of MarketWise, LLC in connection with, or following the Transactions, and certain distributions with respect to units. These tax basis adjustments generated over time may increase (for tax purposes) the depreciation and amortization deductions available to us and, therefore, may reduce the amount of U.S. federal, state and local tax that we would otherwise be required to pay in the future, although the IRS may challenge all or part of the validity of that tax basis, and a court could sustain such challenge. The tax basis adjustments upon sales or exchanges of units for shares of Class A Common Stock and certain distributions with respect to Class A LLC Units may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those assets. Actual tax benefits realized by us may differ from tax benefits calculated under the Tax Receivable Agreements as a result of the use of certain assumptions in the TRAs, including the use of an assumed weighted average state and local income tax rate to calculate tax benefits. The payments that we may make under the TRAs are expected to be substantial. We account for the effects of these increases in tax basis and associated payments under the TRAs if and when exchanges occur as follows: a.recognizes a contingent liability for the TRA obligation when it is deemed probable and estimable, with a corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in-capital, based on the estimate of the aggregate amount that MarketWise, Inc. will pay; b.records an increase in deferred tax assets for the estimated income tax effects of the increases in tax basis based on enacted federal and state tax rates at the date of the exchange; c.to the extent we estimate that we will not realize the full benefit represented by the deferred tax asset, based on an analysis that will consider, among other things, our expectation of future earnings, we reduce the deferred tax asset with a valuation allowance; and, d.The effects of changes in any of the estimates and subsequent changes in the enacted tax rates after the initial recognition will be included in our net income. As of September 30, 2021, there has been no exchange of MarketWise, LLC units and therefore no TRA liability has been recognized.
Earnout Shares	Earnout Shares Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, at the closing of the Transactions, we placed 3,051,000 shares of MarketWise, Inc. Class A Common Stock into escrow to be released to the Sponsor if certain conditions are met. In addition, certain management members of the Company will be allocated from time to time up to 2,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in aggregate, with shares to be placed in escrow upon allocation, and released at any time during a four-year period following closing of the Transaction, if certain conditions are met. The sponsor and management earnout shares will be released as follows: 1) 50% when the volume weighted average price (the “VWAP) of Class A Common Stock is greater than or equal to $12.00 for a period of at 20 trading days within a consecutive 30-trading-day period, or based on the per share equity value in a transaction in which our shareholders sell their shares; and 2) 50% when the volume weighted average price (the “VWAP) of Class A Common Stock is greater than or equal to $14.00 for a period of at 20 trading days within a consecutive 30-trading-day period, or based on the per share equity value in a transaction in which our shareholders sell their shares. The sponsor and management earnout shares are classified as equity transactions at initial issuance and at settlement when the release conditions are met. Until the shares are issued and released, the earnout shares are not included in shares outstanding. The earnout shares are not considered stock-based compensation. As of the transaction date, the sponsor and management earnout shares had a fair value of $26.0 million.
Noncontrolling Interest	Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest represents the Company’s noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries which are not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the controlling Class A Common Stock ownership of the Company. The Transactions occurred on July 21, 2021. As a result, net income (loss) for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was attributed to the pre-Transaction period from July 1, 2021 through July 21, 2021 and to the post-Transaction period from July 22, 2021 through September 30, 2021. During the pre-Transaction period, net income (loss) was attributable to consolidated MarketWise, LLC and its respective noncontrolling interests. During the post-Transaction period, net income was attributable to consolidated MarketWise, Inc. and its respective noncontrolling interests. Following the Transactions, MarketWise, Inc.’s ownership percentage in MarketWise, LLC’s controlling and noncontrolling interests was 7.9% and 92.1%, respectively. For the post-Transaction period, net income attributable to controlling interests included a $9.9 million gain on derivative warrant liabilities and a $3.1 million tax provision, both of which are 100% attributable to the controlling interest.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding after the closing of the Transactions. Diluted net income per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding and the effect of all dilutive common stock equivalents and potentially dilutive share based compensation awards outstanding during the period after the closing of the Transactions.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MarketWise and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying statements of operations include expenses for certain functions historically performed by a related party, including general corporate services, such as legal, accounting, treasury, information technology, human resources and administration. These expenses are based primarily on direct usage when identifiable, direct capital expenditures or other relevant allocations during the respective periods. We believe the assumptions underlying the accompanying consolidated financial statements, including the assumptions regarding these expenses from this related party, are reasonable. Actual results may differ from these expenses, assumptions and estimates. The amounts recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the actual amount of such indirect expenses that would have been recorded had we been a separate independent entity.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions made in the accompanying financial statements include, but are not limited to, the fair value of common units, derivatives, warrants, valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, useful lives of intangible assets with definite lives, benefit period of deferred contract acquisition costs, determination of standalone selling prices, estimated life of lifetime customers, recoverability of goodwill and long-lived assets, valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, the incremental borrowing rates to calculate lease liabilities and right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and certain accruals. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors and adjust those estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segment Information

Operating segments are components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly by our chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. Our Chief Executive Officer serves as the CODM.

Based on the financial information presented to and reviewed by our CODM in assessing our performance and for the purposes of allocating resources, we have determined our operating subsidiaries represent individual operating segments with similar economic characteristics that meet the criteria for aggregation into a single reporting segment for financial statement purposes. Accordingly, we have a single reportable segment.

Derivative Financial Instruments

From time to time, we utilize instruments which may contain embedded derivative instruments as part of our overall strategy to compensate and retain key employees and independent contractors (see Derivative Financial Instruments note below for additional information). Our derivative instruments are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. Our derivative instruments have not been designated as hedges; therefore, both realized and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in earnings. For the purposes of cash flow presentation, realized and unrealized gains or losses are included within cash flows from operating activities. Upfront cash payments received upon the issuance of derivative instruments are included within cash flows from financing activities within the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expenses are included in cost of revenue, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses in a manner consistent with the employee’s salary and benefits in the consolidated statements of operations.

2021 Incentive Award Plan

On July 21, 2021, the MarketWise, Inc. 2021 Incentive Award Plan (the “2021 Incentive Award Plan”) became effective. MarketWise has reserved a total of 32,045,000 shares of MarketWise Class A common stock for issuance pursuant to the 2021 Incentive Award Plan and the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options granted under the 2021 Incentive Award Plan is 32,045,000, in each case, subject to certain adjustments set forth therein. See also Note 9, Stock-Based Compensation.

The 2021 Incentive Award Plan provides for the grant of stock options, including incentive stock options, or ISOs, and nonqualified stock options, or NSOs; restricted stock; restricted stock units, or RSUs; stock appreciation rights, or SARs; and other stock or cash-based awards.

Equity-based compensation with service conditions made to employees is measured based on the grant date fair value of the awards and recognized as compensation expense over the period during which the recipient is required to perform services in exchange for the award (the requisite service period). We have elected to use a straight-line attribution method for recognizing compensation costs relating to awards that have service conditions only. Forfeitures are recorded as they occur.

Class B Units

As more fully described above, we completed our Transactions in July 2021, and all Class B Units fully vested as of the transaction date, and the original operating agreement was terminated and replaced by a new operating agreement consistent with the Company’s Up-C structure. This new operating agreement does not contain the put and call options that existed under the previous operating agreement, and the Common Units are treated as common equity under the new operating agreement and do not generate stock-based compensation expense.

Prior to the Transactions, under the old operating agreement, and as part of our compensation and retention strategy, we granted incentive compensation units (“Class B Units”) to certain key employees, which are profit interests for United States federal income tax purposes. The Class B Units were accounted for as a substantive class of equity and allowed the recipient to realize value only to the extent that the value of the award appreciated.

The Class B Units contained service-based vesting conditions and had different vesting terms depending upon the employee which ranged from vesting immediately to eight years; vesting was accelerated upon the completion of the Transactions. Compensation cost was recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period until vesting for the entire award, but at least equaled the number of vested units determined by the underlying vesting schedule. Forfeitures were accounted for in the period in which they occur.

The Class B Units were subject to a put and call option whereby we could elect to redeem or be required to redeem these units at a value determined by a predefined formula based on a multiplier of our net income as defined by management. Employees may not exercise the put option until 25 months have elapsed from the issuance date. Since the redemption price is not representative of fair value, the employees are not considered to be subject to the risks and rewards of share ownership, and the Class B Units were classified as liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Prior to the completion of the Transactions, the liability for Class B units was remeasured to fair value at the end of each reporting period. Since Class B Units were classified as liabilities, all cash distributions made to the unitholders of the Class B Units pursuant to our operating agreement were considered to be stock-based compensation expenses. Upon consummation of the Transactions, the old operating agreement was terminated and a new operating agreement was adopted. This new operating agreement does not contain the put and call options that existed under the previous operating agreement, and the Common Units are treated as common equity under the new operating agreement and do not generate stock-based compensation expense.

Fair Value Measurement

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair values. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or an exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements as follows:

Level 1—Observable inputs such as unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date;

Level 2—Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active;

Level 3— Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The carrying amount of our financial instruments, including accounts receivable, trade and other payables, accrued expenses and related party receivables and payables, approximate their respective fair values because of their short maturities. The fair value of stock-based compensation liabilities for Class B Units, the derivatives liabilities associated with our deferred compensation arrangements, and the derivative warrant liabilities were determined using unobservable Level 3 inputs. We have not elected the fair value option for any financial assets and liabilities for which such an election would have been permitted.

Warrant Liability

Warrants are accounted for as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the company’s own ordinary shares, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding. As of September 30, 2021, all of our warrants are classified as liabilities.

Income Taxes

Prior to the Transactions, we were a pass-through entity for income tax purposes. Subsequent to the Transactions, the portion of earnings allocable to MarketWise, Inc. is subject to corporate level tax rates at the federal, state and local levels. Therefore, the amount of income taxes recorded prior to the Transaction are not representative of the expenses expected in the future.

The computation of the effective tax rate and provision at each interim period requires the use of certain estimates and significant judgment including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year, projections of the proportion of income that is subject to tax, permanent differences between our GAAP earnings and taxable income, and the likelihood of recovering deferred tax assets existing as of the balance sheet date. The estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change throughout the year as new events occur, additional information is obtained or as tax laws and regulations change. Accordingly, the effective tax rate for future interim periods may vary materially.

We account for income taxes pursuant to the asset and liability method which requires us to recognize current tax liabilities or receivables for the amount of taxes we estimate are payable or refundable for the current year, deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax bases of assets and liabilities and the expected benefits of net operating loss and credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period enacted. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the period in which related temporary differences become deductible.

The benefit of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in our income tax returns is recognized in the financial statements if such positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. Differences between tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefit recognized and measured pursuant to the interpretation are referred to as “unrecognized benefits.” A liability is recognized (or amount of net operating loss carryover or amount of tax refundable is reduced) for an unrecognized tax benefit because it represents a potential future obligation to the taxing authority for a tax position that was not recognized. Interest costs and related penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are required to be calculated, if applicable and are recognized as general and administrative expenses.

Tax Receivable Agreement Obligation

In connection with the Transactions, concurrently with the Closing, we have entered into Tax Receivable Agreements (“TRA”) with owners of MarketWise, LLC prior to the Transactions (the “TRA Parties”). The TRAs generally provide for the payment by us to the TRA Parties of 85% of the cash tax benefits, if any, that we are deemed to realize as a result of tax basis adjustments as a result of sales and exchanges of units of MarketWise, LLC in connection with, or following the Transactions, and certain distributions with respect to units. These tax basis adjustments generated over time may increase (for tax purposes) the depreciation and amortization deductions available to us and, therefore, may reduce the amount of U.S. federal, state and local tax that we would otherwise be required to pay in the future, although the IRS may challenge all or part of the validity of that tax basis, and a court could sustain such challenge. The tax basis adjustments upon sales or exchanges of units for shares of Class A Common Stock and certain distributions with respect to Class A LLC Units may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those assets. Actual tax benefits realized by us may differ from tax benefits calculated under the Tax Receivable Agreements as a result of the use of certain assumptions in the TRAs, including the use of an assumed weighted average state and local income tax rate to calculate tax benefits. The payments that we may make under the TRAs are expected to be substantial.

We account for the effects of these increases in tax basis and associated payments under the TRAs if and when exchanges occur as follows:

a.recognizes a contingent liability for the TRA obligation when it is deemed probable and estimable, with a corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in-capital, based on the estimate of the aggregate amount that MarketWise, Inc. will pay;

b.records an increase in deferred tax assets for the estimated income tax effects of the increases in tax basis based on enacted federal and state tax rates at the date of the exchange;

c.to the extent we estimate that we will not realize the full benefit represented by the deferred tax asset, based on an analysis that will consider, among other things, our expectation of future earnings, we reduce the deferred tax asset with a valuation allowance; and,

d.The effects of changes in any of the estimates and subsequent changes in the enacted tax rates after the initial recognition will be included in our net income.

As of September 30, 2021, there has been no exchange of MarketWise, LLC units and therefore no TRA liability has been recognized.

Earnout Shares

Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, at the closing of the Transactions, we placed 3,051,000 shares of MarketWise, Inc. Class A Common Stock into escrow to be released to the Sponsor if certain conditions are met. In addition, certain management members of the Company will be allocated from time to time up to 2,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in aggregate, with shares to be placed in escrow upon allocation, and released at any time during a four-year period following closing of the Transaction, if certain conditions are met. The sponsor and management earnout shares will be released as follows: 1) 50% when the volume weighted average price (the “VWAP) of Class A Common Stock is greater than or equal to $12.00 for a period of at 20 trading days within a consecutive 30-trading-day period, or based on the per share equity value in a transaction in which our shareholders sell their shares; and 2) 50% when the volume weighted average price (the “VWAP) of Class A Common Stock is greater than or equal to $14.00 for a period of at 20 trading days within a consecutive 30-trading-day period, or based on the per share equity value in a transaction in which our shareholders sell their shares.

The sponsor and management earnout shares are classified as equity transactions at initial issuance and at settlement when the release conditions are met. Until the shares are issued and released, the earnout shares are not included in shares outstanding. The earnout shares are not considered stock-based compensation. As of the transaction date, the sponsor and management earnout shares had a fair value of $26.0 million.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest represents the Company’s noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries which are not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the controlling Class A Common Stock ownership of the Company.

The Transactions occurred on July 21, 2021. As a result, net income (loss) for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was attributed to the pre-Transaction period from July 1, 2021 through July 21, 2021 and to the post-Transaction period from July 22, 2021 through September 30, 2021. During the pre-Transaction period, net income (loss) was attributable to consolidated MarketWise, LLC and its respective noncontrolling interests. During the post-Transaction period, net income was attributable to consolidated MarketWise, Inc. and its respective noncontrolling interests. Following the Transactions, MarketWise, Inc.’s ownership percentage in MarketWise, LLC’s controlling and noncontrolling interests was 7.9% and 92.1%, respectively. For the post-Transaction period, net income attributable to controlling interests included a $9.9 million gain on derivative warrant liabilities and a $3.1 million tax provision, both of which are 100% attributable to the controlling interest.

Earnings Per Share

Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding after the closing of the Transactions. Diluted net income per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding and the effect of all dilutive common

stock equivalents and potentially dilutive share based compensation awards outstanding during the period after the closing of the Transactions.