Avantax (AVTA) 10-K 27 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 21, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Trading Symbol	'BCOR	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'BLUCORA, INC.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001068875	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	42,187,983	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$722.30

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$130,225	$68,278
Short-term investments, available-for-sale	203,480	94,010
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $62 and $10	48,081	34,932
Other receivables	8,292	3,942
Inventories	28,826	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net	9,774	10,911
Total current assets	428,678	212,073
Property and equipment, net	16,108	7,533
Goodwill	348,957	230,290
Other intangible assets, net	178,064	132,815
Other long-term assets	6,223	2,582
Total assets	978,030	585,293
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	61,268	37,687
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	31,109	13,280
Deferred revenue	7,510	3,157
Short-term portion of long-term debt, net	7,903	4,590
Convertible senior notes, net	181,583	'
Derivative instruments	'	8,974
Total current liabilities	289,373	67,688
Long-term liabilities:	'	'
Long-term debt, net	113,193	69,278
Deferred tax liability, net	56,861	29,333
Deferred revenue	1,814	1,319
Other long-term liabilities	2,719	2,225
Total long-term liabilities	174,587	102,155
Total liabilities	463,960	169,843
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value $.0001-authorized, 900,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 42,083 and 40,832 shares	4	4
Additional paid-in capital	1,466,043	1,392,098
Accumulated deficit	-951,977	-976,376
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	-276
Total stockholders' equity	514,070	415,450
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$978,030	$585,293

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for accounts receivable	$62	$10
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	900,000	900,000
Common stock, shares issued	42,083	42,083
Common stock, shares outstanding	40,832	40,832

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:	'	'	'
Services revenue	$519,677	$406,919	$228,813
Product revenue, net	54,303	'	'
Total revenues	573,980	406,919	228,813
Cost of revenues:	'	'	'
Services cost of revenue	302,279	265,945	154,962
Product cost of revenue	38,181	'	'
Total cost of revenues	340,460	265,945	154,962
Engineering and technology	11,682	9,969	7,158
Sales and marketing	98,682	45,644	21,510
General and administrative	29,847	27,418	21,542
Depreciation	2,739	2,119	2,162
Amortization of intangible assets	16,121	11,619	2,595
Total operating expenses	499,531	362,714	207,334
Operating income	74,449	44,205	21,479
Other loss, net	-29,623	-6,677	-1,246
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	44,826	37,528	20,233
Income tax benefit (expense)	-20,427	-15,002	11,288
Income from continuing operations	24,399	22,526	31,521
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	'	'	-2,253
Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes	'	'	-7,674
Net income	24,399	22,526	21,594
Income per share-Basic:	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$0.59	$0.56	$0.83
Loss from discontinued operations	'	'	($60)
Loss on sale of discontinued operations	'	'	($200)
Basic net income per share	$0.59	$0.56	$0.57
Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing basic income per share	41,201	40,279	37,954
Income per share-Diluted:	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$0.56	$0.54	$0.82
Loss from discontinued operations	'	'	($60)
Loss on sale of discontinued operations	'	'	($200)
Diluted net income per share	$0.56	$0.54	$0.56
Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing diluted income per share	43,480	41,672	38,621
Other comprehensive income:	'	'	'
Net income	24,399	22,526	21,594
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments	11	-16	34
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instrument	266	-266	'
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains on available-for-sale investments included in net income	-1	-26	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	276	-308	34
Comprehensive income	$24,675	$22,218	$21,628

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common stock [Member]	Additional-paid-in capital [Member]	Accumulated deficit [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$301,771	$4	$1,322,265	($1,020,496)	($2)
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2010	'	36,089,000	'	'	'
Common stock issued for stock options and restricted stock units	17,121	'	17,121	'	'
Common stock issued for stock options and restricted stock units, Shares	'	2,627,000	'	'	'
Common stock issued for employee stock purchase plan	377	'	377	'	'
Common stock issued for employee stock purchase plan, Shares	'	54,000	'	'	'
Common stock issued upon Warrant exercise, value	7,000	'	7,000	'	'
Common stock issued upon Warrant exercise, Shares	'	764,000	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	34	'	'	'	34
Tax effect of equity compensation	1,260	'	1,260	'	'
Stock-based compensation	7,734	'	7,734	'	'
Taxes paid on stock issued for equity awards	-1,786	'	-1,786	'	'
Net income	21,594	'	'	21,594	'
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	355,105	4	1,353,971	-998,902	32
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011	'	39,534,000	'	'	'
Common stock issued for stock options and restricted stock units	9,025	'	9,025	'	'
Common stock issued for stock options and restricted stock units, Shares	'	1,236,000	'	'	'
Common stock issued for employee stock purchase plan	601	'	601	'	'
Common stock issued for employee stock purchase plan, Shares	'	62,000	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-308	'	'	'	-308
Tax effect of equity compensation	22,693	'	22,693	'	'
Stock-based compensation	13,344	'	13,344	'	'
Taxes paid on stock issued for equity awards	-1,318	'	-1,318	'	'
Reclassification of equity award to liability award	-6,218	'	-6,218	'	'
Net income	22,526	'	'	22,526	'
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	415,450	4	1,392,098	-976,376	-276
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012	40,832,000	40,832,000	'	'	'
Common stock issued for stock options and restricted stock units	2,841	'	2,841	'	'
Common stock issued for stock options and restricted stock units, Shares	'	584,000	'	'	'
Common stock issued for employee stock purchase plan	1,065	'	1,065	'	'
Common stock issued for employee stock purchase plan, Shares	'	85,000	'	'	'
Common stock issued upon Warrant exercise, value	9,620	'	9,620	'	'
Common stock issued upon Warrant exercise, Shares	'	1,000,000	'	'	'
Stock repurchases, value	-10,006	'	-10,006	'	'
Stock repurchases, Shares	'	-418,000	'	'	'
Convertible senior notes, net of issuance costs of $714 and tax effect of $7,785	181,583	'	13,842	'	'
Settlement of derivative instrument (Warrant)	20,217	'	20,217	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	276	'	'	'	276
Tax effect of equity compensation	27,224	'	27,224	'	'
Stock-based compensation	11,642	'	11,642	'	'
Taxes paid on stock issued for equity awards	-2,500	'	-2,500	'	'
Net income	24,399	'	'	24,399	'
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$514,070	$4	$1,466,043	($951,977)	'
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013	40,832,000	42,083,000	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto1

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]	'
Convertible senior notes, issuance costs	$714
Tax effect on convertible senior notes	$7,785

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$24,399	$22,526	$21,594
Loss from discontinued operations	'	'	2,253
Loss on sale of discontinued operations	'	'	7,674
Income from continuing operations	24,399	22,526	31,521
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	11,527	8,937	5,756
Warrant-related stock-based compensation	'	4,286	1,932
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets	28,265	23,011	7,456
Excess tax benefits from stock-based award activity	-29,400	-23,041	-1,260
Deferred income taxes	-10,849	-8,738	-18,870
Earn-out contingent liability adjustments	-300	'	3,000
Gain on resolution of contingent liability	'	'	-1,500
Amortization of premium or accretion of discount on investments, net	3,007	-194	-89
Impairment loss on equity investment in privately-held company	3,711	'	'
Amortization of debt issuance costs	1,108	820	'
Accretion of debt discounts	2,838	325	'
Loss on debt extinguishment and modification expense	1,593	'	'
Loss on derivative instrument	11,652	2,346	'
Other	767	31	18
Cash provided (used) by changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	-9,911	-597	-5,734
Other receivables	1,741	-665	643
Inventories	-1,349	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,511	-5,862	284
Other long-term assets	256	1,981	-258
Accounts payable	12,275	-1,600	26,253
Deferred revenue	3,527	4,170	-83
Accrued expenses and other current and long-term liabilities	37,688	21,095	-23,806
Net cash provided by operating activities	95,056	48,831	25,263
Investing Activities:	'	'	'
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-184,982	-279,386	'
Equity investment in privately-held company	-4,000	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-4,747	-3,752	-2,679
Change in restricted cash	2,491	252	649
Proceeds from sales of investments	25,812	203,493	63,166
Proceeds from maturities of investments	213,616	36,753	160,161
Purchases of investments	-351,883	-122,433	-336,770
Net cash used by investing activities	-303,693	-165,073	-115,473
Financing Activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes, net of debt issuance costs of $6,432	194,818	'	'
Proceeds from credit facilities, net of debt issuance costs and debt discount of $406 and $300 in 2013 and $2,343 and $953 in 2012	55,294	96,704	'
Debt issuance costs on credit facility	-28	'	'
Repayment of debt	-10,000	-25,504	'
Stock repurchases	-10,006	'	'
Excess tax benefits from stock-based award activity	29,400	23,041	1,260
Proceeds from stock option exercises	2,826	9,099	17,049
Proceeds from issuance of stock through employee stock purchase plan	1,065	601	377
Proceeds from issuance of stock upon warrant exercise	9,620	'	'
Proceeds from sale of common stock	'	'	7,000
Repayment of capital lease obligation	'	'	-221
Tax payments from shares withheld upon vesting of restricted stock units	-2,405	-1,318	-1,786
Earn-out payments for business acquisitions	'	'	-423
Net cash provided by financing activities	270,584	102,623	23,256
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
Net cash used by operating activities of discontinued operations	'	'	-6,156
Net cash used by investing activities of discontinued operations	'	'	-638
Net cash used by discontinued operations	'	'	-6,794
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	61,947	-13,619	-73,748
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	68,278	81,897	155,645
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	130,225	68,278	81,897
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:	'	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment through leasehold incentives	1,006	841	'
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:	'	'	'
Contingent earn-out consideration from acquisition	300	'	-3,000
Cash paid for:	'	'	'
Income taxes for continuing operations	944	3,071	809
Interest for continuing operations	$7,138	$3,527	$48

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt issuance costs	$714	'
Debt discount	19,955	628
Debt [Member]	'	'
Debt issuance costs	406	2,343
Debt discount	300	953
Convertible debt [Member]	'	'
Debt issuance costs	$6,432	'

The_Company_and_Basis_of_Prese

The Company and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
The Company and Basis of Presentation	'
	Note 1:    The Company and Basis of Presentation
	Description of the business:    Blucora, Inc. (the “Company” or “Blucora”) operates three primary businesses: an internet search business, an online tax preparation business, and an e-commerce business. The Company’s Search business, InfoSpace, provides search services to distribution partners’ web properties as well as to the Company’s owned and operated properties. The Tax Preparation business consists of the operations of TaxACT, Inc. (“TaxACT”), which the Company acquired on January 31, 2012, and provides online tax preparation service for individuals, tax preparation software for individuals and professional tax preparers, and ancillary services. The E-Commerce business consists of the operations of Monoprice, Inc. (“Monoprice”), which the Company acquired on August 22, 2013, and provides self-branded electronics and accessories to both consumers and businesses.
	On August 22, 2013, the Company acquired Monoprice pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of July 31, 2013. As a result of the acquisition, the Company owns 100% of Monoprice. Monoprice generates revenue primarily through its website, www.monoprice.com.
	On January 31, 2012, the Company acquired TaxACT. As a result of the acquisition, the Company owns 100% of TaxACT. TaxACT generates revenue primarily through its online service at www.taxact.com. Further, on October 4, 2013, TaxACT acquired all of the equity of Balance Financial, Inc. (“Balance Financial”), a provider of web and mobile-based financial management software through its website www.balancefinancial.com.
	Segments:    The Company has three reporting segments: Search, Tax Preparation, and E-Commerce. The Search segment is the InfoSpace business, the Tax Preparation segment is the TaxACT business, and the E-Commerce segment is the Monoprice business. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the Company uses the term “Search” to represent search services, the term “Tax Preparation” to represent services and products sold through the TaxACT business, and the term “E-Commerce” to represent products sold through the Monoprice business (see “Note 12: Segment Information”).
	Principles of consolidation:    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	Reclassification:    As a result of the Monoprice acquisition in August 2013, the Company reclassified credit card fees previously reported in “Services cost of revenue” to “Sales and marketing” for the year ended December 31, 2012 to conform with the 2013 presentation. The comparable amount in 2011 was not material and, as a result, was not reclassified. The Company assessed the related materiality of the reclassification and concluded that it was immaterial to any of its previously issued financial statements. The reclassification had no effect on reported revenues, operating income, or cash flows for the periods presented.
	Use of estimates:    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates include those used for impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, useful lives of other intangible assets, purchase accounting, valuation of investments, valuation of the Warrant and interest rate swap derivatives, revenue recognition, the estimated allowance for sales returns and doubtful accounts, the estimated allowance for obsolete, slow moving, and nonsalable inventory, internally developed software, accrued contingencies, stock option valuation, and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Actual amounts may differ from estimates.
	Seasonality:    Blucora’s Tax Preparation segment is highly seasonal, with the significant majority of its revenue earned in the first four months of the Company’s fiscal year. During the third and fourth quarters, the Tax Preparation segment typically reports losses because revenue from the segment is minimal while core operating expenses continue at relatively consistent levels. Revenue from the E-Commerce segment also is seasonal, with revenues historically being the lowest in the second quarter, a period that does not include consumer back-to-school or holiday-related spending.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Note 2:    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Cash equivalents:    The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of ninety days or less at date of acquisition to be cash equivalents, which are carried at fair value.
	Short-term investments:    The Company principally invests its available cash in investment-grade income securities, AAA-rated money market funds, and insured time deposits with commercial banks. Such investments are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” and “Short-term investments, available for sale,” on the consolidated balance sheets, and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" on the consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company reviews the impairments of its available-for-sale investments and classifies the impairment of any individual available-for-sale investment as either temporary or other-than-temporary. The differentiating factors between temporary and other-than-temporary impairments are primarily the length of the time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
	Accounts receivable:    Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.
	Inventories:    Inventories, consisting of merchandise available for sale in the E-Commerce business, are accounted for using the first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) method of accounting and are valued at the lower of cost or market and include the related inbound shipping and handling costs. Inventory quantities on hand are reviewed regularly, and allowances are maintained for obsolete, slow moving, and nonsalable inventory.
	Property and equipment:    Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed under the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
	Computer equipment and software	3 years
	Data center servers	3 years
	Internally developed software	3 years
	Office equipment	7 years
	Office furniture	7 years
	Heavy equipment	10 years
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of lease term or economic life
	The Company capitalizes certain internal-use software development costs, consisting primarily of employee salaries and benefits allocated on a project or product basis. The Company capitalized $1.2 million, $1.0 million, and $1.2 million of internal-use software costs in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
	Business combinations and intangible assets including goodwill:    The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method, and, accordingly, the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives on a straight-line basis, except for the installed code base technology which is amortized proportional to expected revenue. Acquisition-related costs, including advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other similar costs, are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.
	Goodwill and intangible assets:    The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change to indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company tests goodwill for impairment by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value or qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and the carrying value. The fair value of the reporting units is estimated using discounted cash flows. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on best estimates of future net sales and operating expenses.
	The Company conducts its annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30 of each year and has determined there to be no goodwill impairment for any of the periods presented. There were no triggering events identified from the date of our assessment through December 31, 2013 that would require an update to our annual impairment test. See “Note 4: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”
	Intangible assets, other than goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable.
	Impairment losses are recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair value.
	Equity method investments:    The Company currently holds equity securities and warrants to purchase equity securities, for business and strategic purposes, in companies whose securities are not publicly traded. The equity method is used to account for investments in these companies, if the investment provides the Company with the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investees. The Company records its proportionate share of the net earnings or losses of equity method investees and a corresponding increase or decrease to the investment balances. The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management’s judgment, that the carrying value of such investments may have experienced a decline in value (see “Note 13: Other Loss, Net”). The Company’s equity investments were carried at a fair value of $0 at December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Debt issuance costs and debt discounts:    Debt issuance costs and debt discounts are deferred and amortized as interest expense under the effective interest method over the contractual term of the related debt, adjusted for prepayments in the case of the Company’s credit facilities (see “Note 8: Debt”).
	Debt issuance costs related to the Company’s Convertible Senior Notes (the “Notes”) issued in 2013 were allocated to the liability and equity components of the instrument. The debt issuance costs allocated to the liability component are amortized to interest expense through the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date of conversion, if any. The debt issuance costs allocated to the equity component of the Notes were recorded as an offset to “Additional paid-in capital” (See “Note 8: Debt”).
	Derivative instruments and hedging:    The Company recognizes derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at their fair value. The Company records changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments as gains or losses either in “Other loss, net” on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income or in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” on the consolidated balance sheets.
	Regarding hedging, the Company used a derivative financial instrument in the form of an interest rate swap agreement for the purpose of minimizing exposure to changes in interest rates, until the swap was terminated at break-even on September 10, 2013. The Company had no other swap agreements outstanding at December 31, 2013. This swap agreement was accounted for as a cash flow hedge, and changes in the fair value of the hedge instrument were included in “Other comprehensive income (loss).” The hedge was perfectly effective through termination, and no ineffectiveness was recorded to “Other loss, net” in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
	Fair value of financial instruments:    The Company measures its cash equivalents, available-for-sale investments, and derivative instruments at fair value. The Company considers the carrying values of accounts receivable, other receivables, inventory, prepaid expenses, other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities to approximate fair values primarily due to their short-term natures.
	Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, because the Company values its cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments utilizing market observable inputs. The Company classified its interest rate swap derivative within Level 2 as the valuation inputs were based on quoted prices and market observable data of similar instruments. As more fully discussed in “Note 8: Debt,” the interest rate swap was terminated at break-even on September 10, 2013. The Company classified the Warrant derivative within Level 3, because it was valued using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model, which has significant unobservable inputs related to historical stock price volatility. This unobservable input reflected the Company’s assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. This valuation required significant judgment. As more fully discussed in “Note 10: Stockholders’ Equity,” the Warrant was exercised in November 2013.
	Revenue recognition:    The Company recognizes revenue when all four revenue recognition criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the Company has delivered the product or performed the service, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is probable. Determining whether and when these criteria have been satisfied involves exercising judgment and using estimates and assumptions that can have an impact on the timing and amount of revenue that the Company recognizes.
	The Company evaluates whether revenue should be presented on a gross basis, which is the amount that a customer pays for the service or product, or on a net basis, which is the customer payment less amounts the Company pays to suppliers. In making that evaluation, the Company considers indicators such as whether the Company is the primary obligor in the arrangement and assumes the risks and rewards as a principal in the customer transaction, including the credit risk, and whether the Company can set the sales price and select suppliers. GAAP clearly indicates that the evaluations of these factors, which at times can be contradictory, are subject to significant judgment and subjectivity.
	Search services revenue recognition:    The majority of the Company’s revenues are generated from its web search services. The Search business does not generate its own search content for its web search services but instead aggregates search content from a number of content providers. Some of these content providers, such as Google and Yahoo!, pay us to distribute their content, and those providers are referred to as “Search Customers”. The Company generates search services revenue when an end user of such services clicks on a paid search link provided by a Search Customer and displayed on a distribution partners’ web property or on one of the Company’s owned and operated web properties. The Search Customer that provided the paid search link receives a fee from the advertiser who paid for the click and the Search Customer pays the Company a portion of that fee. Revenue is recognized in the period in which the services are provided (i.e., when a paid search occurs) and is based on the amounts earned by and ultimately remitted to the Company. This revenue is recorded in the Search segment.
	Under the Company’s agreements with its Search Customers and its distribution partners, the Company is the primary obligor, separately negotiates each revenue or unit pricing contract independent of any revenue sharing arrangements, and assumes the credit risk for amounts invoiced to its Search Customers. For search services, the Company determines the paid search results, content, and information directed to its owned and operated websites and its distribution partners’ web properties. Consequently, the Company records search services revenue on a gross basis.
	Tax preparation revenue recognition:    The Company derives service revenue from the sale of tax preparation online services, ancillary service offerings, packaged tax preparation software, and multiple element arrangements that may include a combination of these items. Ancillary service offerings include tax preparation support services, data archive services, bank or reloadable pre-paid debit card services, e-filing services, and other value-added services. This revenue is recorded in the Tax Preparation segment.
	The Company’s Tax Preparation segment revenue consists primarily of hosted tax preparation online services, tax preparation support services, data archive services, and e-filing services. The Company recognizes revenue from these services as the services are performed and the four revenue recognition criteria described above are met.
	The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its packaged software when legal title transfers. This is generally when its customers download the software from the Web or when the software ships.
	The bank or reloadable prepaid debit card services are offered to taxpayers as an option to receive their tax refunds in the form of a prepaid bank card or to have the fees for the software and/or services purchased by the customers deducted from their refunds. Other value-added service revenue consists of revenue from revenue sharing and royalty arrangements with third party partners. Revenue for these transactions is recognized when the four revenue recognition criteria described above are met; for some arrangements that is upon filing and for other arrangements that is upon the Company’s determination of when collectability is probable.
	For software and/or services that consist of multiple elements, the Company must: (1) determine whether and when each element has been delivered; (2) determine the fair value of each element using the selling price hierarchy of vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value if available, third-party evidence (“TPE”) of fair value if VSOE is not available, and estimated selling price (“ESP”) if neither VSOE nor TPE is available; and (3) allocate the total price among the various elements based on the relative selling price method. Once the Company has allocated the total price among the various elements, it recognizes revenue when the revenue recognition criteria described above are met for each element.
	VSOE generally exists when the Company sells the deliverable separately. When VSOE cannot be established, the Company attempts to establish a selling price for each element based on TPE. TPE is determined based on competitor prices for similar deliverables when sold separately. When the Company is unable to establish selling price using VSOE or TPE, it uses ESP in its allocation of arrangement consideration. ESP is the estimated price at which the Company would sell the software or service if it were sold on a stand-alone basis. The Company determines ESP for the software or service by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, historical stand-alone sales, pricing practices, market conditions, competitive landscape, internal costs, and gross margin objectives.
	In some situations, the Company receives advance payments from its customers. The Company defers revenue associated with these advance payments and recognizes the allocated consideration for each element when the Company ships the software or performs the services, as appropriate. Advance payments related to data archive services are deferred and recognized over the related contractual term.
	E-Commerce revenue recognition:    The Company derives product revenue from online sales of self-branded electronics and accessories to both consumers and businesses. The Company recognizes product revenue from product sales when all four revenue recognition criteria, as outlined above, have been met. Because the Company either (i) has a general practice of refunding customer losses for products damaged while in-transit despite selling terms indicating title transfers at the point of shipment or (ii) has FOB-destination shipping terms specifically set out in certain arrangements, delivery is deemed to have occurred at the point in time when the product is received by the customer. All amounts billed to a customer in a sale transaction related to shipping and handling, if any, represent revenues earned for the goods provided, and these amounts have been classified as “Product revenue”. Costs related to such shipping and handling billings are classified as “Product cost of revenue”.
	The Company provides its customers with a thirty-day right of return. Return allowances, which reduce revenue, are estimated using historical experience.
	Cost of revenues:    The Company records the cost of revenues for sales of products and services when the related revenue is recognized. “Services cost of revenue” consists of costs related to revenue sharing arrangements with our distribution partners, usage-based content fees, certain costs associated with the operation of our data centers that serve the Company’s Search and Tax Preparation businesses, including amortization of intangible assets, depreciation, personnel expenses (which include salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs), bandwidth costs, bank service fees, and royalties. “Product cost of revenue” includes product costs, inbound and outbound shipping and handling costs, packaging supplies, and provisions for inventory obsolescence. Shipping charges to receive products from the Company’s suppliers are included in inventory and recognized as product cost of revenue upon sale of products to customers.
	Engineering and technology expenses:    Engineering and technology expenses are associated with the research, development, support, and ongoing enhancements of the Company’s offerings, including personnel expenses (which include salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs), software support and maintenance, and professional service fees. Research and development expenses were $7.3 million in 2013, $6.1 million in 2012, and $4.1 million in 2011.
	Sales and marketing expenses:    Sales and marketing expenses consist principally of marketing expenses associated with the Company’s TaxACT and Monoprice websites (which include the following channels: television, radio, online display and text, and email), the Company’s owned and operated web search properties (which consist of traffic acquisition, including the Company’s online marketing, which includes fees paid to search engines to drive traffic to an owned and operated website, agency fees, brand promotion expense and market research expense), personnel costs (which include salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs) for personnel engaged in marketing and selling activities, and fulfillment expenses primarily associated with the Company’s E-Commerce business. Fulfillment includes direct operating expenses (including personnel costs) relating to the Company’s purchasing, customer and technical support, receiving, inspection and warehouse functions, as well as the cost of temporary help and contractors, and credit card processing fees.
	Costs for advertising are recorded as expense when the advertisement appears or electronic impressions are recorded. Advertising expense totaled $75.9 million, $31.8 million, and $14.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Prepaid advertising costs were $0.8 million and $2.5 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	General and administrative expenses:    General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses (which include salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs), professional service fees (which include legal, audit, and tax fees), general business development and management expenses, occupancy and general office expenses, taxes, and insurance expenses.
	Stock-based compensation:    The Company measures stock-based compensation at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognizes it as expense, net of estimated forfeitures, over the vesting or service period, as applicable, of the stock award using the straight-line method. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation over the vesting period for each separately vesting portion of a share-based award as if they were individual share-based awards. The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises those estimates, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
	Employee benefit plan:    The Company has a 401(k) savings plan covering its employees. Eligible employees may contribute through payroll deductions. The Company may match the employees’ 401(k) contributions at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. Pursuant to a continuing resolution, in 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company has matched a portion of the 401(k) contributions made by its employees. The amount contributed by the Company is equal to a maximum of 50% of employee contributions up to a maximum of 3% of an employee’s salary. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company contributed $0.6 million, $0.4 million, and $0.3 million, respectively, for employees.
	Leases:    The Company leases office space and computer equipment used in its data centers. These leases are classified as either capital leases or operating leases, as appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2011, $0.2 million of amortization for assets acquired under capital leases, which terminated in 2011, was included in depreciation expense.
	Income taxes:    The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets, including net operating loss carryforwards, and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The Company periodically evaluates the likelihood of the realization of deferred tax assets and reduces the carrying amount of the deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance to the extent the Company believes a portion will not be realized. The Company considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of the deferred tax assets, including the recent cumulative earnings experience by taxing jurisdiction, expectations of future taxable income, the carryforward periods available for tax reporting purposes, and other relevant factors. There is a wide range of possible judgments relating to the valuation of the Company's deferred tax assets.
	Loss from discontinued operations and loss on sale of discontinued operations:    On June 22, 2011, the Company sold its Mercantila e-commerce business to Zoo Stores, Inc. The results of operations from that business are reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented (in thousands):
		Year ended
		December 31,
		2011
	Revenue from discontinued operations	$	16,894
	Loss from discontinued operations before taxes	$	(3,506	)
	Income tax benefit		1,253
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	(2,253	)
	Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of an income tax benefit of $5,092	$	(7,674	)
	Loss from discontinued operations includes previously unallocated depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, income taxes, and other corporate expenses that were attributable to the e-commerce business.
	Other comprehensive income:    Comprehensive income includes net income plus items that are recorded directly to stockholders’ equity, including the net change in unrealized gains and losses on cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments, and certain derivative instruments. Included in the net change in unrealized gains and losses are realized gains or losses included in the determination of net income in the period realized. Amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive income into net income were determined on the basis of specific identification.
	Concentration of credit risk:    Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, short-term investments, and trade receivables. These instruments are generally unsecured and uninsured. The Company places its cash equivalents and investments with major financial institutions. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are derived from revenues earned from customers primarily located in the United States operating in a variety of industries and geographic areas. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and maintains allowances for potential credit losses.
	The Company attempts to manage exposure to counterparty credit risk by only entering into agreements with major financial institutions which are expected to be able to fully perform under the terms of the agreement.
	Supplier concentration risk:    A material part of Monoprice’s business is dependent on two vendors. These unrelated vendors accounted for $6.7 million, or 19%, of Monoprice’s inventory purchases during the period from August 22, 2013, the acquisition date, to December 31, 2013 and $2.4 million, or 20%, of Monoprice’s related accounts payable at December 31, 2013.
Revenue concentration:    The Company derives a significant portion of its revenues from two Search Customers. Revenues from the top two Search Customers represented 74%, 84%, and 99% of revenues in each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. At December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, two Search Customers accounted for more than 90% of the Company’s accounts receivable balance.
Geographic revenue information, as determined by the location of the customer, is presented below (in thousands):
	Years ended December 31,
	2013			2012		2011
United States	$	558,601		$	402,656	$	226,229
International		15,379			4,263		2,584
Total	$	573,980		$	406,919	$	228,813
Recent accounting pronouncements:    Changes to GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the form of Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification. The Company considers the applicability and impact of all recent ASUs. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In February 2013, the FASB issued an update to the authoritative guidance related to the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. This update required that significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income and their corresponding effect on net income be reported and, in some cases, cross-referenced to related footnote disclosures. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2013, and the adoption of these disclosure requirements did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. This new guidance is effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combinations	'
	Note 3:    Business Combinations
	Presented below is information regarding the Company’s business combinations during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, including information about the purchase price accounting from these transactions.
	Balance Financial:    On October 4, 2013, TaxACT acquired all of the equity of Balance Financial, a provider of web and mobile-based financial management software, for $4.9 million in cash which includes a $0.7 million escrow amount recorded in “Other long-term liabilities” for indemnifications related to general representations and warranties. The escrow period expires on June 3, 2015, at which time the amount, net of any losses, will be released. The acquisition of the Balance Financial business is strategic to TaxACT and was funded from the revolving credit loan under the TaxACT 2013 credit facility. See “Note 8: Debt” for further discussion of the TaxACT 2013 credit facility. The identifiable net assets acquired amounted to $1.0 million, consisting primarily of deferred tax assets, and intangible assets acquired amounted to $0.8 million, consisting primarily of internally-developed software and customer relationships both of which have finite lives. Goodwill amounted to $3.1 million. Pro forma results of operations have not been presented because the effects of this acquisition were not material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations.
	Monoprice:    On August 22, 2013, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Monoprice, an online provider of self-branded electronics and accessories for both consumers and businesses (see “Note 1: The Company and Basis of Presentation”). The Company paid $182.9 million, which was funded from available cash, after a $0.4 million working capital adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2013. The acquisition was intended to diversify the Company’s business model and expand its operations.
	Preliminary valuations are as follows (in thousands):
		Fair Value
	Tangible assets acquired	$	49,714
	Liabilities assumed		(23,623	)
	Identifiable net assets acquired	$	26,091
	Fair value adjustments to intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	$	30,900
	Trade name		38,000
	Fair value of intangible assets acquired	$	68,900
	Purchase price:
	Cash paid	$	182,909
	Less identifiable net assets acquired		(26,091	)
	Plus deferred tax liability related to intangible assets		27,683
	Less fair value of intangible assets acquired		(68,900	)
	Excess of purchase price over net assets acquired, allocated to goodwill	$	115,601
	The preliminary fair value determinations for assets acquired and liabilities assumed for this acquisition were based upon a preliminary valuation. Certain of our estimates and assumptions are subject to change as we obtain additional information for our estimates in future periods. The primary areas of the acquisition accounting that are not yet finalized relate to income and non-income based taxes, indemnification assets, and residual goodwill.
	The Company incurred acquisition costs of $0.7 million in 2013, which were recognized in “General and administrative expense.” The Company did not assume any equity awards or plans from Monoprice. Following the completion of the acquisition, the Company issued 27,152 options and 126,259 restricted stock units (“RSUs”), which are at levels consistent with other awards to Blucora subsidiary employees, and 243,750 performance-based RSUs to Monoprice’s employees (see “Note 11: Stock-Based Compensation”). In addition, the sellers of Monoprice are entitled to federal and state tax refunds related to pre-acquisition tax periods pursuant to the purchase agreement (see “Note 6: Balance Sheet Components”).
	The Company’s estimates of the economic lives of the acquired assets are two years for the business-to-consumer customer relationships, seven years for the business-to-business customer relationships, approximately six years for the personal property assets, and the trade name is estimated to have an indefinite life. Goodwill consists largely of the ability to attract new customers and develop new technologies post-acquisition, which do not qualify for separate recognition. The Company does not expect that any of the goodwill arising from the Monoprice acquisition will be deductible for income tax purposes.
	The gross contractual amount of trade accounts receivable acquired was $3.2 million, which the Company has substantially collected. The Company recorded deferred revenue at a fair value of $1.3 million as of the acquisition date. Prior to the acquisition, Monoprice had recorded deferred revenue at $2.0 million.
	For the period from the acquisition date to December 31, 2013, the Company’s total revenues included $54.3 million in revenue and a $5.0 million operating income contribution from the Monoprice business.
	Pro Forma Financial Information of Monoprice Acquisition (unaudited)
	The financial information in the table below summarizes the combined results of operations of Blucora and Monoprice on a pro forma basis, for the period in which the acquisition occurred and the prior reporting period as though the companies had been combined as of the beginning of each period presented. This pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of each period presented. The pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 combines the historical results of operations of the Company and Monoprice for the year ended December 31, 2013 with the results of Monoprice for the period from January 1, 2013 to the acquisition date. The following amounts are in thousands:
		Years ended
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Revenues	$	663,900		$	525,027
	Net income (loss)	$	25,637		$	22,874
	TaxACT:    On January 31, 2012, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of TaxACT, which operates the TaxACT tax preparation online service and software business (see “Note 1: The Company and Basis of Presentation”). The Company paid $287.5 million in cash, less certain transaction expenses. The TaxACT acquisition was funded from the Company's cash reserves and from the TaxACT 2012 credit facility, of which $100.0 million was drawn at the transaction's close. See “Note 8: Debt” for further discussion of the TaxACT 2012 credit facility. The acquisition was intended to diversify the Company's business model and expand its operations.
	Final valuations are as follows (in thousands):
		Fair Value
	Tangible assets acquired	$	22,465
	Liabilities assumed		(17,759	)
	Identifiable net assets acquired	$	4,706
	Fair value adjustments to intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	$	101,400
	Proprietary technology		29,800
	Trade name		19,499
	Fair value of intangible assets acquired	$	150,699
	Purchase price:
	Cash paid	$	287,500
	Less identifiable net assets acquired		(4,706	)
	Plus deferred tax liability related to intangible assets		53,380
	Less fair value of intangible assets acquired		(150,699	)
	Excess of purchase price over net assets acquired, allocated to goodwill	$	185,475
	The Company recorded acquisition costs of $1.1 million in 2012 and $0.3 million in 2011, which were recognized in “General and administrative expense.” The Company incurred $2.3 million of debt origination costs related to the credit facility used to fund the acquisition, a portion of which was recorded as loss on debt extinguishment and modification expense in “Other loss, net” and the remainder of which is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the credit facility. The Company did not assume any equity awards or plans from TaxACT. Following the completion of the acquisition, the Company issued 380,000 options and 167,000 RSUs to TaxACT’s employees as an incentive for future services and at levels consistent with other employee awards (see “Note 11: Stock-Based Compensation”). In addition, the sellers of TaxACT are entitled to certain federal tax refunds related to pre-acquisition tax periods pursuant to the purchase agreement (see “Note 6: Balance Sheet Components”).
	The Company’s estimates of the economic lives of the acquired assets are eight years for the customer relationships, four years for the proprietary technology, approximately three years for the personal property assets, and the trade name is estimated to have an indefinite life. Goodwill consists largely of the ability to attract new customers and develop new technologies post acquisition, which do not qualify for separate recognition. The Company determined that no portion of the goodwill arising from the TaxACT acquisition will be deductible for income tax purposes.
	The gross contractual amount of trade accounts receivable acquired was $9.4 million, all of which has been collected. The Company recorded deferred revenue associated with the TaxACT business’s data storage and retrieval service at a fair value of $0.3 million as of the acquisition date. Prior to the acquisition, TaxACT had recorded deferred revenue at $5.1 million.
	For the period from the acquisition date to December 31, 2012, the Company’s total revenues included $62.1 million in revenue and a $30.1 million operating income contribution from the TaxACT business.
	Pro Forma Financial Information of TaxACT Acquisition (unaudited)
	The financial information in the table below summarizes the combined results of operations of Blucora and TaxACT on a pro forma basis, for the period in which the acquisition occurred and the prior reporting period as though the companies had been combined as of the beginning of each period presented. This pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of each period presented. The pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 combines the historical results of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2012 with the results of TaxACT for the month ended January 31, 2012. The following amounts are in thousands:
		Years ended
		December 31,
		2012			2011
	Revenues	$	427,809		$	307,594
	Net income (loss)	$	26,819		$	11,251

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Note 4:    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The following table presents the changes in goodwill by reportable segment (in thousands):
		Search		Tax Preparation			E-Commerce		Total
	Goodwill as of December 31, 2011	$	44,815	$	—		$	—	$	44,815
	Additions		—		185,475			—		185,475
	Goodwill as of December 31, 2012		44,815		185,475			—		230,290
	Additions		—		3,066			115,601		118,667
	Goodwill as of December 31, 2013	$	44,815	$	188,541		$	115,601	$	348,957
	The goodwill additions in 2013 related to the acquisitions of Monoprice (E-Commerce segment) and Balance Financial (Tax Preparation segment) and the additions in 2012 related to the acquisition of TaxACT, all as described in “Note 3: Business Combinations.”
	Intangible assets other than goodwill consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
		Gross		Accumulated			Other		Gross		Accumulated			Other
		carrying		amortization			intangible		carrying		amortization			intangible
		amount					assets, net		amount					assets, net
	Definite-lived intangible assets:
	Installed code base technology	$	12,650	$	(12,587	)	$	63	$	12,650	$	(12,369	)	$	281
	Core technology		1,085		(1,085	)		—		1,085		(1,085	)		—
	Tax Preparation customer relationships		101,400		(24,294	)		77,106		101,400		(11,619	)		89,781
	Tax Preparation proprietary technology		29,800		(14,279	)		15,521		29,800		(6,829	)		22,971
	E-Commerce B2C customer relationships		14,500		(2,592	)		11,908		—		—			—
	E-Commerce B2B customer relationships		16,400		(837	)		15,563		—		—			—
	Balance Financial customer relationships		200		(17	)		183		—		—			—
	Other		6,705		(6,667	)		38		6,667		(6,667	)		—
	Total definite-lived intangible assets		182,740		(62,358	)		120,382		151,602		(38,569	)		113,033
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
	Tax Preparation trade names		19,499		—			19,499		19,499		—			19,499
	E-Commerce trade names		38,000		—			38,000		—		—			—
	Other		183		—			183		283		—			283
	Total indefinite-lived intangible assets		57,682		—			57,682		19,782		—			19,782
	Total	$	240,422	$	(62,358	)	$	178,064	$	171,384	$	(38,569	)	$	132,815
	The E-Commerce B2C and B2B customer relationship and trade name additions in 2013 related to the Monoprice acquisition as described in “Note 3: Business Combinations.”
	Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was as follows (in thousands):
		2013		2012			2011
	Statement of comprehensive income line item:
	Services cost of revenue	$	7,668	$	7,580		$	2,595
	Amortization of intangible assets		16,121		11,619			—
	Total	$	23,789	$	19,199		$	2,595
	Information about expected amortization of definite-lived intangible assets held as of December 31, 2013 in the next five years is presented in the below table (in thousands):
		2014		2015			2016		2017		2018			Thereafter		Total
	Statement of comprehensive income line item:
	Services cost of revenues	$	7,513	$	7,450		$	621	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	15,584
	Amortization of intangible assets		22,334		19,742			15,068		15,018		15,018			17,618		104,798
	Total	$	29,847	$	27,192		$	15,689	$	15,018	$	15,018		$	17,618	$	120,382
	The weighted average amortization periods for definite-lived technology intangible assets and customer relationships is 25 months and 68 months, respectively, and for all definite-lived intangible assets combined is 62 months.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Note 5:    Fair Value Measurements
	The fair value hierarchy of the Company's financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis was as follows (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013			Fair value measurements at the reporting date using
					Quoted prices in		Significant other			Significant
					active markets		observable			unobservable
					using identical assets		inputs			inputs
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents:
	U.S. government securities	$	6,400		$	—	$	6,400		$	—
	Money market and other funds		9,391			—		9,391			—
	Commercial paper		17,999			—		17,999			—
	Time deposits		499			—		499			—
	Taxable municipal bonds		21,215			—		21,215			—
	Total cash equivalents		55,504			—		55,504			—
	Available-for-sale securities:
	U.S. government securities		58,114			—		58,114			—
	Commercial paper		14,496			—		14,496			—
	Time deposits		9,880			—		9,880			—
	Taxable municipal bonds		120,990			—		120,990			—
	Total available-for-sale securities		203,480			—		203,480			—
	Total assets at fair value	$	258,984		$	—	$	258,984		$	—
		December 31, 2012			Fair value measurements at the reporting date using
					Quoted prices in		Significant other			Significant
					active markets		observable			unobservable
					using identical assets		inputs			inputs
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents:
	U.S. government securities	$	6,900		$	—	$	6,900		$	—
	Money market and other funds		13,723			—		13,723			—
	Commercial paper		6,999			—		6,999			—
	Time deposits		1,245			—		1,245			—
	Taxable municipal bonds		8,794			—		8,794			—
	Total cash equivalents		37,661			—		37,661			—
	Available-for-sale securities:
	U.S. government securities		41,402			—		41,402			—
	Commercial paper		9,396			—		9,396			—
	Time deposits		7,169			—		7,169			—
	Taxable municipal bonds		36,043			—		36,043			—
	Total available-for-sale securities		94,010			—		94,010			—
	Total assets		131,671			—		131,671			—
	Liabilities
	Derivative instruments:
	Warrant (see Note 10)		(8,564	)		—		—			(8,564	)
	Interest rate swap (see Note 8)		(410	)		—		(410	)		—
	Total liabilities		(8,974	)		—		(410	)		(8,564	)
	Total assets and liabilities at fair value	$	122,697		$	—	$	131,261		$	(8,564	)
	The Company also had financial instruments that were not measured at fair value. See “Note 8: Debt” for details.
	As discussed in “Note 10: Stockholders’ Equity,” the Warrant was exercised on November 21, 2013. The change in the fair value of the Warrant during 2013 through the exercise date was $11.7 million, which was recorded in “Other loss, net.” The derivative instrument liability balance of $20.2 million as of the exercise date was settled through “Additional paid-in capital.” As discussed in “Note 8: Debt,” the interest rate swap was terminated at break-even on September 10, 2013 and had no effect on income as it did not have any hedging ineffectiveness.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, all investments classified as available-for-sale had maturity dates of within one year as follows (in thousands):
		Amortized			Gross unrealized		Gross unrealized			Fair
		Cost			gains		losses			value
	As of December 31, 2013	$	203,479		$	24	$	(23	)	$	203,480
	As of December 31, 2012	$	94,029		$	36	$	(55	)	$	94,010

Balance_Sheet_Components

Balance Sheet Components	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Balance Sheet Components	'
	Note 6:    Balance Sheet Components
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net consisted of the following as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net
	Prepaid expenses	$	4,370		$	5,268
	Other current assets, net		5,404			5,643
	Total prepaid expenses and other current assets, net	$	9,774		$	10,911
	Property and equipment consisted of the following as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Property and equipment
	Computer equipment and data center	$	10,792		$	13,262
	Purchased software		6,153			5,046
	Internally developed software		7,166			4,691
	Office equipment		421			1,758
	Office furniture		2,061			612
	Heavy equipment		2,944			—
	Leasehold improvements and other		3,553			3,400
			33,090			28,769
	Accumulated depreciation		(17,985	)		(22,636	)
			15,105			6,133
	Capital projects in progress		1,003			1,400
	Total property and equipment	$	16,108		$	7,533
	Total depreciation expense was $4.5 million, $3.8 million, and $4.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, unamortized internally-developed software was $3.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and for each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company recorded depreciation expense for internally-developed software of $0.9 million.
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
	Salaries and related expenses	$	7,708		$	5,185
	Accrued content costs		4,132			3,017
	Accrued advertising		6,155			1,886
	Accrued interest on Notes (see Note 8)		2,138			—
	Tax refunds payable to sellers		6,814			925
	Earn-out contingent liability		194			1,101
	Other		3,968			1,166
	Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	31,109		$	13,280
	Pursuant to the Monoprice and TaxACT purchase agreements, the sellers of Monoprice and TaxACT are entitled to certain tax refunds related to pre-acquisition tax periods. The Company determined that federal and/or state tax refunds were due and, as a result, recorded “Tax refunds payable to sellers” and offsetting receivables in “Other receivables” on the consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	'
	Note 7: Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	Derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Balance sheet location		December 31,
				2013				2012
	Derivative liabilities
	Derivative designated as a hedging instrument:
	Interest rate contract (interest rate swap, see Note 8)	Current liabilities - derivative instruments		$	—			$	410
	Derivative not designated as a hedging instrument:
	Equity contract (the Warrant, see Note 10)	Current liabilities - derivative instruments			—				8,564
	Total derivative liabilities			$	—			$	8,974
	The derivative instrument in a hedging relationship (the interest rate swap) had no effect on income for any and all periods presented, as it did not have any hedging ineffectiveness. As discussed in “Note 8: Debt,” the interest rate swap was terminated at break-even on September 10, 2013.
	The effect on income of the derivative instrument not designated as a hedging instrument (the Warrant) is summarized below (in thousands):
						Years ended
						December 31,
		Statement of comprehensive income				2013				2012
		location
	Equity contract (the Warrant, see Note 10)		Other loss, net			$	(11,652	)		$	(2,346	)
	As discussed in “Note 10: Stockholders’ Equity,” the Warrant was exercised on November 21, 2013. “Other loss, net” for the year ended December 31, 2013 included changes in the fair value of the Warrant through the exercise date. The derivative instrument liability balance of $20.2 million as of the exercise date was settled through “Additional paid-in capital.”

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Note 8: Debt
	The Company’s debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
			December 31, 2013								December 31, 2012
			Principal			Unamortized			Net		Principal		Unamortized			Net
			amount			discount			carrying		amount		discount			carrying
									value							value
	Monoprice 2013 credit facility		$	50,000		$	(288	)	$	49,712	$	—	$	—		$	—
	TaxACT 2013 credit facility			71,384			—			71,384		—		—			—
	Convertible Senior Notes			201,250			(19,667	)		181,583		—		—			—
	TaxACT 2012 credit facility			—			—			—		74,496		(628	)		73,868
	Total debt		$	322,634		$	(19,955	)	$	302,679	$	74,496	$	(628	)	$	73,868
	Monoprice 2013 credit facility:    On November 22, 2013, Monoprice and Monoprice Holdings, Inc. entered into an agreement with a syndicate of lenders for the purposes of post-transaction financing of the Monoprice acquisition and providing future working capital flexibility for Monoprice. The Monoprice credit facility consists of a $30.0 million revolving credit loan—which includes up to $5.0 million under a letter of credit and up to $5.0 million in swingline loans—and a $40.0 million term loan for an aggregate $70.0 million credit facility. The final maturity date of the credit facility is November 22, 2018. Monoprice’s obligations under the credit facility are guaranteed by Monoprice Holdings and are secured by the assets of the Monoprice business.
	Monoprice initially borrowed $50.0 million under the credit facility, which was used to pay a dividend to Blucora and to pay certain expenses and fees related to the credit facility. Monoprice has the right to permanently reduce, without premium or penalty, the entire credit facility at any time or portions of the credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not less than $1.0 million or any whole multiple of $1.0 million in excess thereof (for swingline loans, the aggregate principal amount is not less than $0.1 million and any whole multiple of $0.1 million in excess thereof). The interest rate on amounts borrowed under the credit facility is variable, based upon, at the election of Monoprice, either LIBOR plus a margin of between 2.75% and 3.25%, payable as of the end of each interest period, or a variable rate plus a margin of between 1.75% and 2.25%, payable quarterly in arrears. In each case, the applicable margin within the range depends upon Monoprice’s ratio of leverage to EBITDA over the previous four quarters. The credit facility includes financial and operating covenants with respect to certain ratios, including leverage ratio and fixed charge coverage ratio, which are defined further in the agreement. As of December 31, 2013, Monoprice was in compliance with all of the financial and operating covenants. As of December 31, 2013, the credit facility’s gross carrying value of $50.0 million approximated its fair value as it is a variable rate instrument and the current applicable margin approximates current market conditions.
	TaxACT 2013 credit facility:    On August 30, 2013, TaxACT entered into an agreement with a syndicate of lenders for the purpose of refinancing the 2012 credit facility on more favorable terms. The new credit facility consists of revolving credit loans, up to $10.0 million in swingline loans, and up to $5.0 million under a letter of credit, which in the aggregate represent a $100.0 million revolving credit commitment that reduces to $90.0 million on August 30, 2014, to $80.0 million on August 30, 2015, and to $70.0 million on August 30, 2016. The final maturity date of the credit facility is August 30, 2018. TaxACT’s obligations under the credit facility are guaranteed by TaxACT Holdings, Inc. and are secured by the assets of the TaxACT business and the TaxACT equity owned by TaxACT Holdings.
	TaxACT borrowed approximately $71.4 million under the credit facility, of which $65.4 million was used to pay off the 2012 credit facility (as described below), accrued interest, and certain expenses and fees related to the agreement and an additional $6.0 million was borrowed in October 2013. The Company has the right to permanently reduce, without premium or penalty, the entire credit facility at any time or portions of the credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not less than $3.0 million or any whole multiple of $1.0 million in excess thereof. The interest rate on amounts borrowed under the credit facility is variable and payable as of the end of each interest period, based upon, at the election of TaxACT, either LIBOR plus a margin of between 1.75% and 2.5%, or a Base Rate plus a margin of between 0.75% and 1.5%, in each case with the applicable margin within the range dependent upon TaxACT’s ratio of leverage to EBITDA over the previous four quarters. The credit facility includes financial and operating covenants with respect to certain ratios, including leverage ratio and fixed charge coverage ratio, which are defined further in the agreement, as well as certain restrictions on TaxACT’s payments to the Company. As of December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all of the financial and operating covenants. As of December, 2013, the credit facility’s gross carrying value of $71.4 million approximated its fair value as it is a variable rate instrument and the current applicable margin approximates current market conditions.
	The Company performed an analysis by creditor to determine whether the refinancing would be recorded as an extinguishment or a modification of debt and, as a result of this analysis, recognized a loss on partial extinguishment of debt comprised of the following (in thousands):
	Fees paid to creditors in connection with the refinance, including arrangement fee, classified as extinguishment		$	567
	Deferred financing costs on extinguished debt			726
	Debt discount on extinguished debt			300
	Total		$	1,593
	In connection with amounts classified as an extinguishment, the Company recorded $28,000 in deferred debt issuance costs, which are being amortized over the term of the new credit facility using the effective interest method as an adjustment to interest expense. The Company also determined that the remaining portion of the refinancing was a modification, and the Company determined a new effective interest rate based on the carrying amount of the original debt and the revised cash flows. Approximately $0.6 million, which is comprised of $0.4 million in deferred financing costs and $0.2 million in unamortized debt discount related to the prior credit agreement, are being amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the remaining term of the new credit facility using the effective interest method. Similarly, additional creditor-related fees incurred of $0.1 million related to the modification are being amortized over the term of the new credit facility using the effective interest method.
	Convertible Senior Notes:    On March 15, 2013, the Company issued $201.25 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.25% Notes, inclusive of the underwriters’ exercise in full of their over-allotment option of $26.25 million. The Notes mature on April 1, 2019, unless earlier purchased, redeemed, or converted in accordance with the terms, and bear interest at a rate of 4.25% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 beginning on October 1, 2013. The Company received net proceeds from the offering of approximately $194.8 million after adjusting for debt issuance costs, including the underwriting discount.
	The Notes were issued under an indenture dated March 15, 2013 (the “Indenture”) by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee. There are no financial or operating covenants relating to the Notes.
	Beginning July 1, 2013 and prior to the close of business on September 28, 2018, holders may convert all or a portion of the Notes at their option, in multiples of $1,000 principal amount, under the following circumstances:
		•		during any fiscal quarter commencing July 1, 2013, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock for at least 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day, and based on this, as of December 31, 2013, the Notes were convertible;
		•		during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sales price of the Company’s common stock and the conversion rate on each trading day;
		•		if the Company calls any or all of the Notes for redemption;
		•		upon the occurrence of specified corporate events, including a merger or a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.
	On or after October 1, 2018 and until the close of business on March 28, 2019, holders may convert their Notes, in multiples of $1,000 principal amount, at the option of the holder.
	The conversion ratio for the Notes is initially 0.0461723, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $21.66 per share of the Company’s common stock. The conversion ratio is subject to customary adjustment for certain events as described in the Indenture.
	At the time the Company issued the Notes, the Company was only permitted to settle conversions with shares of its common stock. The Company received shareholder approval at its annual meeting in May 2013 to allow for “flexible settlement,” which provided the Company with the option to settle conversions in cash, shares of common stock, or any combination thereof. The Company’s intention is to satisfy conversion of the Notes with cash for the principal amount of the debt and shares of common stock for any related conversion premium. As of December 31, 2013, the conversion premium amounted to approximately $67.3 million, based on the 25-day volume weighted average price methodology dictated by the Indenture.
	Beginning April 6, 2016, the Company may, at its option, redeem for cash all or part of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the Company undergoes a fundamental change (as described in the Indenture), holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or part of their Notes in principal amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. The fundamental change repurchase price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest. However, if a fundamental change occurs and a holder elects to convert the Notes, the Company will, under certain circumstances, increase the applicable conversion rate for the Notes surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares of common stock based on the date on which the fundamental change occurs or becomes effective and the price paid per share of the Company’s common stock in the fundamental change as specified in the Indenture.
	The Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company and rank senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and equal in right of payment to any of the Company’s existing and future unsecured indebtedness that is not subordinated. The Notes are effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company’s secured indebtedness (to the extent of the value of assets securing such indebtedness) and structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Indenture does not limit the amount of debt that the Company or its subsidiaries may incur, including senior secured indebtedness.
	The Notes may be settled in combination of cash or shares of common stock given the flexible settlement option. As a result, the Notes contain liability and equity components, which were bifurcated and accounted for separately. The liability component of the Notes, as of the issuance date, was calculated by estimating the fair value of a similar liability issued at a 6.5% effective interest rate, which was determined by considering the rate of return investors would require in the Company’s debt structure. The amount of the equity component was calculated by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the principal amount of the Notes, resulting in the initial recognition of $22.3 million as the debt discount recorded in additional paid-in capital for the Notes. The carrying amount of the Notes is being accreted to the principal amount over the remaining term to maturity, and the Company is recording corresponding interest expense. The Company incurred debt issuance costs of $6.4 million related to the Notes and allocated $5.7 million to the liability component of the Notes. These costs are being amortized to interest expense over the six-year term of the Notes or the date of conversion, if any.
	The following table sets forth total interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 related to the Notes (in thousands):
	Contractual interest expense (Cash)		$	6,795
	Amortization of debt issuance costs (Non-cash)			684
	Accretion of debt discount (Non-cash)			2,674
	Total interest expense		$	10,153
	Effective interest rate of the liability component			7.32	%
	The fair value of the principal amount of the Notes as of December 31, 2013 was $298.8 million, based on the last quoted active trading price, a Level 1 fair value measurement, as of that date.
	TaxACT 2012 credit facility:    On January 31, 2012, in conjunction with the TaxACT acquisition, TaxACT entered into an agreement with a syndicate of lenders for a $105.0 million credit facility, consisting of a $95.0 million term loan and up to $10.0 million under a revolving credit facility. On January 31, 2012, TaxACT borrowed $95.0 million of term debt with an original maturity of January 31, 2017 and $5.0 million under the revolving credit facility. A portion of any excess cash flows, as the term was defined in the credit agreement, were to be used to make a mandatory prepayment on the term loan. Amounts outstanding under the term loan could be prepaid without penalty. During 2012, TaxACT repaid an aggregate of $25.5 million of the debt, including the balance of the revolving credit facility. In April 2013, TaxACT repaid an additional $10.0 million of the outstanding debt, and in August 2013, the remaining amount of $64.5 million was repaid in connection with the refinancing of this credit agreement as discussed in “TaxACT 2013 credit facility” above.
	The interest rate on amounts borrowed under the term loan and the revolving loan was variable and payable as of the end of each interest period, based upon, at the election of TaxACT, the Alternate Base Rate or the LIBOR, plus the Applicable Margin (as such terms were defined in the credit agreement). The Applicable Margin was dependent on the consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of TaxACT and ranged from 2.0% to 3.5% for borrowings tied to the Alternative Base Rate and 3.0% to 4.5% for borrowings tied to the LIBOR.
	Additionally, the Company was required to hedge a portion of the interest rate risk associated with the term debt, and that requirement was met on May 1, 2012 by the purchase of an interest rate swap with a financial institution which fixed the LIBOR portion at 0.85% for $37.5 million of the amount outstanding under the term loan. The swap was terminated at break-even on September 10, 2013.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 9:    Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company's contractual commitments were as follows for years ending December 31 (in thousands):
		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter		Total
	Operating lease commitments	$	2,687	$	2,413	$	1,894	$	1,933	$	1,783	$	2,546	$	13,256
	Purchase commitments		646		437		92		62		—		—		1,237
	Debt commitments		8,000		8,000		8,000		8,000		89,384		201,250		322,634
	Interest on Notes		8,553		8,553		8,553		8,553		8,553		4,277		47,042
	Escrow for acquisition-related indemnifications		—		735		—		—		—		—		735
	Total	$	19,886	$	20,138	$	18,539	$	18,548	$	99,720	$	208,073	$	384,904
	Operating lease commitments:    The Company has non-cancelable operating leases for its facilities. The leases run through 2020. Rent expense under operating leases totaled $2.0 million, $1.8 million, and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
	Purchase commitments:    The Company's purchase commitments consist primarily of non-cancelable service agreements for its data centers.
	Debt commitments and interest on Notes:    The Company’s debt commitments are based upon contractual payment terms and consist of the outstanding principal related to the Monoprice credit facility, the TaxACT credit facility, and the Notes. The Company may repay the amounts outstanding under the Monoprice and TaxACT credit facilities before their terms are complete, depending upon the cash generated by the respective businesses, and under the Notes based upon holders exercising their conversion option. For further detail regarding the credit facilities and the Notes, see “Note 8: Debt.”
	Escrow for acquisition-related indemnifications:    The Company holds escrow for acquisition-related indemnifications around general representations and warranties in connection with the Balance Financial acquisition. See “Note 3: Business Combinations” for further discussion of the escrow.
	Collateral pledged:    The Company has pledged a portion of its cash as collateral for certain of its property lease-related banking arrangements. At December 31, 2013, the total amount of collateral pledged under these standby letters of credit was $0.9 million.
	Off-balance sheet arrangements:    The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements other than operating leases.
	Litigation:    From time to time, the Company is subject to various legal proceedings or claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. Although the Company cannot predict the outcome of these matters with certainty, the Company’s management does not believe that the disposition of these ordinary course matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Note 10:    Stockholders’ Equity
	Stock incentive plan:    The Company may grant non-qualified stock options, stock, RSUs, and stock appreciation rights to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants.
	The Company granted options and RSUs during 2013, 2012, and 2011 under the Company’s Restated 1996 Flexible Stock Incentive Plan. Options and RSUs generally vest over a period of three years, with one-third vesting one year from the date of grant and the remainder vesting ratably thereafter on a semi-annual basis, and expire seven years from the date of grant. There are a few exceptions to this vesting schedule, which provide for vesting at different rates or based on achievement of performance or market targets (the latter are known as market stock units or “MSUs”).
	The Company issues new shares upon the exercise of options and upon the vesting of RSUs. If an option or RSU is surrendered or otherwise unused, the related shares will continue to be available.
	Stock sale and warrant:    On August 23, 2011, the Company added Andrew M. Snyder to its Board of Directors and entered into agreements to sell stock and issue a warrant to Cambridge Information Group I LLC (“CIG”), the investment entity of which Mr. Snyder is President. In connection with those agreements, Blucora sold to CIG 764,192 newly-issued shares of unregistered Blucora common stock at a purchase price of $9.16 per share and issued to CIG a warrant to purchase 1.0 million shares of Blucora common stock, exercisable at a price of $9.62 per share. The Warrant originally was considered stock-based compensation and was scheduled to expire on August 23, 2014, but the completion of the TaxACT acquisition on January 31, 2012 was an event under the Warrant’s terms that extended the expiration date to the earlier of August 23, 2017 or the effective date of a change of control of Blucora. Subsequent to the extension, the Company treated the award as a derivative instrument (see “Note 7: Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”). The modification date fair value previously recognized in “Additional paid-in capital” of $6.2 million was classified as a current liability, and the Warrant’s fair value was determined each reporting period with gains or losses related to the change in fair value recorded in “Other loss, net.” The Company recorded $6.6 million in total expense relating to the modification and subsequent change in fair value for the Warrant for the year ended December 31, 2012. On November 21, 2013, CIG exercised the Warrant and purchased 1.0 million shares of Blucora common stock for an aggregate exercise price of $9.6 million. As discussed more fully in “Note 5: Fair Value Measurements” and “Note 7: Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” the related derivative instrument liability balance of $20.2 million was settled through “Additional paid-in capital.”
	1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”):    The ESPP permits eligible employees to contribute up to 15% of their base earnings toward the twice-yearly purchase of Company common stock, subject to an annual maximum dollar amount. The purchase price is the lesser of 85% of the fair market value of common stock on the first day or on the last day of an offering period. An aggregate of 1,360,000 shares of common stock are authorized for issuance under the ESPP. Of this amount, 379,236 shares were available for issuance. The Company issues new shares upon purchase through the ESPP.
	Stock repurchase program:    In February 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan whereby the Company may purchase up to $50.0 million of its common stock in open-market transactions through February 2015. Repurchased shares will be retired and resume the status of authorized but unissued shares of common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company purchased 417,159 shares in open-market transactions at a total cost, exclusive of purchase and administrative costs, of $10.0 million and an average price of $23.95 per share. As of December 31, 2013, the Company may repurchase up to an additional $40.0 million of its common stock under the repurchase program.
	Other comprehensive income:    The following table provides information about activity in other comprehensive income during the period from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Unrealized gain (loss)			Unrealized gain (loss)			Total
		on investments			on derivative
					instrument
	Balance as of January 1, 2011	$	(2	)	$	—		$	(2	)
	Other comprehensive income		34			—			34
	Balance as of December 31, 2011		32			—			32
	Other comprehensive loss		(42	)		(266	)		(308	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		(10	)		(266	)		(276	)
	Other comprehensive income		10			266			276
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	—		$	—		$	—

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Note 11:    Stock-Based Compensation
	A summary of the general terms of stock options, RSUs, and MSUs at December 31, 2013 was as follows:
	Number of shares authorized for awards		8,816,797
	Options, RSUs, and MSUs outstanding		4,905,167
	Options, RSUs, and MSUs expected to vest		4,534,038
	Options, RSUs, and MSUs available for grant		3,911,630
	During 2013, the following activity occurred under the Company’s stock incentive plans:
		Options			Weighted average		Intrinsic value			Weighted average
					exercise price		(in thousands)			remaining
										contractual term
										(in years)
	Stock options:
	Outstanding December 31, 2012		3,743,639		$	12.29
	Granted		912,237			16.85
	Forfeited		(26,767	)		14.35
	Expired		(593,550	)		24.17
	Exercised		(248,998	)		11.41
	Outstanding December 31, 2013		3,786,561		$	11.57	$	66,597			4.7
	Exercisable, December 31, 2013		2,246,299		$	9.6	$	43,928			4
	Expected to vest after December 31, 2013		3,606,196		$	11.39	$	64,098			4.6
		Stock units			Weighted average		Intrinsic value			Weighted average
					grant date		(in thousands)			remaining
					fair value					contractual term
										(in years)
	RSUs:
	Outstanding December 31, 2012		825,288		$	12.38
	Granted		775,626			18.86
	Forfeited		(91,070	)		13.99
	Vested		(431,363	)		11.97
	Outstanding December 31, 2013		1,078,481		$	17.07	$	31,449			1.3
	Expected to vest after December 31, 2013		889,928		$	17.07	$	25,950			1.1
	MSUs:
	Outstanding December 31, 2012		80,250		$	9.28
	Granted		—			—
	Forfeited		—			—
	Vested		(40,125	)		9.28
	Outstanding December 31, 2013		40,125		$	9.28	$	1,170			0.4
	Expected to vest after December 31, 2013		37,914		$	9.28	$	1,106			0.4
	Supplemental information is presented below:
		Years ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Stock options:
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share granted	$	5.05		$	3.84	$	2.8
	Total intrinsic value of options exercised (in thousands)	$	2,626		$	3,886	$	2,474
	RSUs:
	Weighted average grant date fair value per unit granted	$	18.86		$	13.19	$	8.86
	Total intrinsic value of units vested (in thousands)	$	7,986		$	4,663	$	5,945
	Total fair value of units vested (in thousands)	$	5,163		$	3,049	$	6,293
	MSUs:
	Weighted average grant date fair value per unit granted	$	—		$	—	$	9.28
	Total intrinsic value of units vested (in thousands)	$	679		$	511	$	—
	Total fair value of units vested (in thousands)	$	248		$	248	$	—
	The Company has included the following amounts for stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 (amounts in thousands):
		2013			2012		2011
	Services cost of revenues	$	662		$	558	$	286
	Engineering and technology		1,351			1,180		821
	Sales and marketing		2,335			1,909		1,002
	General and administrative		7,179			9,576		5,579
	Total	$	11,527		$	13,223	$	7,688
	Discontinued operations	$	—		$	—	$	(159	)
	Excluded and capitalized as part of internal-use software		115			121		206
	In May 2012, the Company granted 190,000 stock options to certain employees who perform acquisition-related activities. The awards' vestings were predicated on completing “qualified acquisitions” under the terms of the awards. No expense was recognized in 2012, as a qualified acquisition did not occur. The completion of the Monoprice acquisition on August 22, 2013 constituted a qualified acquisition under the terms of the awards. The vestings of the awards resulted in a charge of $0.5 million to stock-based compensation expense in 2013, which was classified in “General and administrative expense.”
	In October 2011, the Company granted 200,000 stock options to a non-employee consultant who performed acquisition-related activities. The award’s vesting was predicated on completing a “qualified acquisition” under the terms of the award. No expense was recognized in 2011, as a qualified acquisition did not occur. The completion of the TaxACT acquisition on January 31, 2012 constituted a qualified acquisition under the terms of the award. The vesting of the award resulted in a charge of $0.9 million to stock-based compensation expense in 2012, which was classified in “General and administrative expense.”
Stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 included $1.9 million in “General and administrative expense” for the Warrant issued in August 2011. As discussed in “Note 10: Stockholders’ Equity,” the acquisition of the TaxACT business on January 31, 2012 fulfilled the Warrant agreement's remaining performance condition and extended the Warrant’s expiration date. The extension of the Warrant’s term was a modification that resulted in a $4.3 million charge to stock-based compensation expense, equal to the increase in the Warrant’s fair value, and was recognized in “General and administrative expense” in the first quarter of 2012. Subsequent to the modification, the Company treated the Warrant as a derivative instrument.
To estimate stock-based compensation expense, the Company used the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation method for all but the MSUs, for which the Monte Carlo valuation method was used, with the following assumptions for equity awards granted:
	Years ended December 31,
	2013		2012	2011
Stock option grants:
Risk-free interest rate	0.25% - 1.06%		0.26% - 1.57%	0.25% - 1.58%
Expected dividend yield	0%		0%	0%
Expected volatility	40% - 46%		40% - 48%	40% - 50%
Expected life	3.2 years		3.3 years	3.0 years
Non-employee stock option grant:
Risk-free interest rate	—		0.26%	—
Expected dividend yield	—		0%	—
Expected volatility	—		38% - 41%	—
Expected life	—		1.6 - 2.2 years	—
MSU grants:
Risk-free interest rate	—		—	0.15%
Blucora expected dividend yield	—		—	0%
iShares Russell 2000 Index expected dividend yield	—		—	1.08%
Blucora closing stock price	—		—	$8.74
iShares Russell 2000 Index closing price	—		—	$82.29
Blucora expected volatility	—		—	37.40%
iShares Russell 2000 Index expected volatility	—		—	20.30%
Measurement period	—		—	1.0 years
Warrant grant:
Risk-free interest rate	—		0.95%	0.46%
Expected dividend yield	—		0%	0%
Expected volatility	—		46%	39%
Expected life	—		5.6 years	2.0 years
The risk-free interest rate was based on the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury issues with an equivalent remaining term. The Company last paid a dividend in 2008 but does not expect to pay recurring dividends. The expected volatility was based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock for the related expected life of the award. The expected life of the award was based on historical experience, including historical post-vesting termination behavior.
As of December 31, 2013, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock awards is as follows:
	Expense			Weighted average
	(in  thousands)			period over which to be
				recognized
				(in years)
Stock options	$	2,192			1.3
RSUs		5,756			1.3
MSUs		28			0.4
	$	7,976			1.3

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Note 12:    Segment Information
	The Company changed its segment reporting structure as a result of the TaxACT acquisition on January 31, 2012 and again as a result of the Monoprice acquisition on August 22, 2013. The Search segment is the InfoSpace business, the Tax Preparation segment is the TaxACT business, and the E-Commerce segment is the Monoprice business. The Company’s chief executive officer is its chief operating decision maker and reviews financial information presented on a disaggregated basis. This information is used for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance.
	The Company does not allocate certain general and administrative costs (including personnel and overhead costs), stock-based compensation, depreciation, and amortization of intangible assets to the reportable segments. Such amounts are reflected in the table under the heading “Corporate-level activity.” In addition, the Company does not allocate other loss, net and income tax benefit (expense) to the reportable segments. The Company does not account for, and does not report to management, its assets or capital expenditures by segment other than goodwill and intangible assets used for impairment analysis purposes.
	Information on reportable segments currently presented to the Company’s chief operating decision maker and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for 2013, 2012, and 2011 are presented below (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Revenues:
	Search	$	428,464		$	344,814		$	228,813
	Tax Preparation		91,213			62,105			—
	E-Commerce		54,303			—			—
	Total revenues		573,980			406,919			228,813
	Operating income:
	Search		82,504			62,185			46,206
	Tax Preparation		40,599			30,052			—
	E-Commerce		4,967			—			—
	Corporate-level activity		(53,621	)		(48,032	)		(24,727	)
	Total operating income		74,449			44,205			21,479
	Other loss, net		(29,623	)		(6,677	)		(1,246	)
	Income tax benefit (expense)		(20,427	)		(15,002	)		11,288
	Income from continuing operations		24,399			22,526			31,521
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			—			(9,927	)
	Net income	$	24,399		$	22,526		$	21,594

Other_Loss_Net

Other Loss, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other Loss, Net	'
	Note 13: Other Loss, Net
	“Other loss, net” for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Interest income	$	(300	)	$	(131	)	$	(369	)
	Interest expense (see Note 8)		9,463			3,522			—
	Amortization of debt issuance costs (see Note 8)		1,108			820			—
	Accretion of debt discounts (see Note 8)		2,838			325			—
	Loss on debt extinguishment and modification expense (see Note 8)		1,593			—			—
	Loss on derivative instrument (see Note 7)		11,652			2,346			—
	Impairment of equity investment in privately-held company		3,711			—			—
	Increase (decrease) in fair value of earn-out contingent liability		(300	)		—			3,000
	Gain on contingency resolution		—			—			(1,500	)
	Other		(142	)		(205	)		115
	Other loss, net	$	29,623		$	6,677		$	1,246
	In 2013, in connection with the Company’s review of its equity method investments for other-than-temporary impairment, the Company determined that its equity investment in a privately-held company had experienced a decline in value which was other-than-temporary, due to recurring losses from operations, significant personnel reductions, and a change in the underlying business model. Accordingly, the Company wrote down the $3.7 million carrying value of the investment to zero, resulting in a loss.
	The financial performance of Make The Web Better, acquired on April 1, 2010, was greater than expected. As a result, the fair value of the related contingent consideration increased, and an additional charge of $3.0 million was recorded in the year ended December 31, 2011. Also in 2011, the Company recorded a gain of $1.5 million related to the resolution of a contingent liability.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 14:    Income Taxes
	Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	U.S. federal	$	30,452		$	23,303		$	7,416
	State		642			437			166
	Total current expense		31,094			23,740			7,582
	Deferred:
	U.S. federal		(10,430	)		(8,234	)		(18,654	)
	State		(237	)		(504	)		(216	)
	Total deferred benefit		(10,667	)		(8,738	)		(18,870	)
	Income tax expense (benefit), net	$	20,427		$	15,002		$	(11,288	)
	The income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations differed from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Income tax expense at federal statutory rate of 35%	$	15,689		$	13,135		$	7,082
	Non-deductible compensation		221			1,621			675
	Deductible domestic production costs		(949	)		(804	)		—
	Non-deductible loss on derivative instrument (the Warrant, see Note 7)		4,078			821			—
	Change in liabilities for uncertain tax positions		(201	)		(75	)		79
	Change in valuation allowance		1,108			—			(19,272	)
	Other		481			304			148
	Income tax expense (benefit), net	$	20,427		$	15,002		$	(11,288	)
	The tax effect of temporary differences and net operating loss carryforwards from continuing operations that gave rise to the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Current:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	34,167		$	26,089
	Accrued compensation		1,605			1,199
	Deferred revenue		2,385			1,105
	Inventory		800			—
	Other, net		1,903			1,082
	Total current deferred tax assets		40,860			29,475
	Non-current:
	Net operating loss carryforwards		190,974			227,079
	Tax credit carryforwards		9,259			7,719
	Depreciation and amortization		7,696			10,310
	Stock-based compensation		5,318			5,381
	Other, net		4,204			2,214
	Total non-current deferred tax assets		217,451			252,703
	Total gross deferred tax assets		258,311			282,178
	Valuation allowance		(235,730	)		(262,353	)
	Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		22,581			19,825
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Current:
	Other, net		(253	)		—
	Total current deferred tax liabilities		(253	)		—
	Non-current:
	Depreciation and amortization		(68,888	)		(46,313	)
	Discount on Notes		(6,977	)		—
	Other, net		(5	)		(770	)
	Total non-current deferred tax liabilities		(75,870	)		(47,083	)
	Total gross deferred tax liabilities		(76,123	)		(47,083	)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(53,542	)	$	(27,258	)
	At December 31, 2013, the Company evaluated the need for a valuation allowance for certain deferred tax assets based upon its assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient future taxable income necessary to realize the deferred tax benefits. The Company considered all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance, such as the profitability of each of the Company’s businesses, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, and forecasted future taxable income. The Company weighed each piece of evidence in a qualitative and quantitative analysis and, based upon its judgment, determined that the weight of the positive evidence was sufficient to conclude that the Company will more likely than not realize its U.S. deferred tax assets of an ordinary nature. The Company’s most relevant positive evidence was its recent history of profitability and its projections of sufficient taxable income to offset deductible temporary differences and non-equity based carryforwards. The financial projections supporting the Company’s conclusion contain significant assumptions and estimates of future operations.
	The Company has equity-based deferred tax assets related to net operating losses that arose from excess tax benefits for stock-based compensation and minimum tax credits that arose from the corresponding alternative minimum tax paid for those excess tax benefits. The Company must apply a valuation allowance against these deferred tax assets until the Company utilizes the deferred tax assets to reduce taxes payable. Accordingly, the Company does not consider these deferred tax assets when evaluating changes in the valuation allowance.
	The Company does not forecast income of a capital nature. The lack of forecasted capital gains represents negative evidence as to the realizability of the deferred tax assets of a capital nature. The Company weighed each piece of evidence and judged that the weight of the negative evidence was sufficient to retain the valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets of a capital nature.
	The changes in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are shown below (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of year	$	262,353		$	283,000
	Net changes to deferred tax assets, subject to a valuation allowance		(26,623	)		(20,647	)
	Balance at end of year	$	235,730		$	262,353
	For the year ended December 31, 2013, income tax expense included a $1.1 million increase in the valuation allowance for an increase during the year in deferred tax assets that were capital in nature. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the decrease in the valuation allowance pertained to utilization of equity-based deferred tax assets used to reduce taxes payable in the amounts of $27.7 million and $20.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, $233.1 million of the valuation allowance pertained to equity-based deferred tax assets. The consolidated balance sheets reflect an increase in equity upon the release of this valuation allowance. Accordingly, income tax expense does not reflect a benefit for the release of the valuation allowance.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards were $643.3 million, which primarily related to tax deductions for stock-based compensation. When the net operating loss carryforwards related to stock-based compensation are recognized, the income tax benefit of those losses is accounted for as a credit to stockholders’ equity on the consolidated balance sheets rather than on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. If not utilized, the Company’s federal net operating loss carryforwards will expire between 2020 and 2031, with the majority of them expiring between 2020 and 2024. Additionally, changes in ownership, as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, may limit the amount of net operating loss carryforwards used in any one year.
A reconciliation of the unrecognized tax benefit balances is as follows (in thousands):
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	18,267
Gross increases for tax positions of prior years		1,208
Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years		(216	)
Lapse of statute of limitations		(171	)
Balance at December 31, 2012		19,088
Gross increases for tax positions of prior years		219
Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years		(101	)
Settlements		(562	)
Lapse of statute of limitations		(107	)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	18,537
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized was $0.6 million and $1.2 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The remaining $17.9 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, if recognized, would create a deferred tax asset subject to a valuation allowance. The Company and certain of its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. In previous years, the Company also filed in various foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010, although net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards from any year are subject to examination and adjustment for at least three years following the year in which they are fully utilized. As of December 31, 2013, no significant adjustments have been proposed relative to the Company’s tax positions.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in interest expense and general and administrative expenses, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company reversed less than $0.1 million of previously accrued interest expense related to the uncertain tax positions upon expiration of the statute of limitations on assessments.

Net_Income_Per_Share

Net Income Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income Per Share	'
	Note 15:    Net Income Per Share
	“Basic net income per share” is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. “Diluted net income per share” is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, the Warrant, vesting of unvested RSUs, and the impact of shares that could be issued upon conversion or maturity of the Notes. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of earnings per share if their effect is antidilutive.
	The weighted average shares were as follows for the periods presented (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic		41,201		40,279		37,954
	Dilutive potential common shares		2,279		1,393		667
	Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted		43,480		41,672		38,621
	Antidilutive shares excluded		381		1,172		3,803
	Antidilutive shares related primarily to stock options with an exercise price greater than the average price during the applicable period and awards with performance conditions not completed during the applicable period.
	As more fully discussed in “Note 10: Stockholders’ Equity,” on November 21, 2013, the Warrant was exercised and 1.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock were issued accordingly. The weighted average of these shares was included in “Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic” starting in November 2013. Prior to that, the weighted average of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of the Warrant were included in the dilutive potential common shares.
	As more fully discussed in “Note 8: Debt,” in March 2013, the Company issued the Notes, which are convertible and mature in April 2019. The Company intends, upon conversion or maturity of the Notes, to satisfy any conversion premium by issuing shares of its common stock. Due to the cash settlement feature of the principal amount of the Notes, the Company only includes the impact of the premium feature in its dilutive potential common shares when the average stock price for the reporting period exceeds the conversion price of the Notes, which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The_Company_and_Basis_of_Prese1

The Company and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Segments	'Segments:    The Company has three reporting segments: Search, Tax Preparation, and E-Commerce. The Search segment is the InfoSpace business, the Tax Preparation segment is the TaxACT business, and the E-Commerce segment is the Monoprice business. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the Company uses the term “Search” to represent search services, the term “Tax Preparation” to represent services and products sold through the TaxACT business, and the term “E-Commerce” to represent products sold through the Monoprice business (see “Note 12: Segment Information”).
Principles of consolidation	'
	Principles of consolidation:    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Reclassifications	'Reclassification:    As a result of the Monoprice acquisition in August 2013, the Company reclassified credit card fees previously reported in “Services cost of revenue” to “Sales and marketing” for the year ended December 31, 2012 to conform with the 2013 presentation. The comparable amount in 2011 was not material and, as a result, was not reclassified. The Company assessed the related materiality of the reclassification and concluded that it was immaterial to any of its previously issued financial statements. The reclassification had no effect on reported revenues, operating income, or cash flows for the periods presented.
Use of estimates	'Use of estimates:    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates include those used for impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, useful lives of other intangible assets, purchase accounting, valuation of investments, valuation of the Warrant and interest rate swap derivatives, revenue recognition, the estimated allowance for sales returns and doubtful accounts, the estimated allowance for obsolete, slow moving, and nonsalable inventory, internally developed software, accrued contingencies, stock option valuation, and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Actual amounts may differ from estimates.
Seasonality	'Seasonality:    Blucora’s Tax Preparation segment is highly seasonal, with the significant majority of its revenue earned in the first four months of the Company’s fiscal year. During the third and fourth quarters, the Tax Preparation segment typically reports losses because revenue from the segment is minimal while core operating expenses continue at relatively consistent levels. Revenue from the E-Commerce segment also is seasonal, with revenues historically being the lowest in the second quarter, a period that does not include consumer back-to-school or holiday-related spending.
Cash equivalents	'Cash equivalents:    The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of ninety days or less at date of acquisition to be cash equivalents, which are carried at fair value.
Short-term investments	'
	Short-term investments:    The Company principally invests its available cash in investment-grade income securities, AAA-rated money market funds, and insured time deposits with commercial banks. Such investments are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” and “Short-term investments, available for sale,” on the consolidated balance sheets, and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" on the consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company reviews the impairments of its available-for-sale investments and classifies the impairment of any individual available-for-sale investment as either temporary or other-than-temporary. The differentiating factors between temporary and other-than-temporary impairments are primarily the length of the time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
Accounts receivable	'Accounts receivable:    Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.
Inventories	'Inventories:    Inventories, consisting of merchandise available for sale in the E-Commerce business, are accounted for using the first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) method of accounting and are valued at the lower of cost or market and include the related inbound shipping and handling costs. Inventory quantities on hand are reviewed regularly, and allowances are maintained for obsolete, slow moving, and nonsalable inventory.
Property and equipment	'
	Property and equipment:    Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed under the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
	Computer equipment and software	3 years
	Data center servers	3 years
	Internally developed software	3 years
	Office equipment	7 years
	Office furniture	7 years
	Heavy equipment	10 years
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of lease term or economic life
	The Company capitalizes certain internal-use software development costs, consisting primarily of employee salaries and benefits allocated on a project or product basis. The Company capitalized $1.2 million, $1.0 million, and $1.2 million of internal-use software costs in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Business combinations and intangible assets including goodwill	'Business combinations and intangible assets including goodwill:    The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method, and, accordingly, the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives on a straight-line basis, except for the installed code base technology which is amortized proportional to expected revenue. Acquisition-related costs, including advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other similar costs, are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.
Goodwill and intangible assets	'
	Goodwill and intangible assets:    The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change to indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company tests goodwill for impairment by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value or qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and the carrying value. The fair value of the reporting units is estimated using discounted cash flows. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on best estimates of future net sales and operating expenses.
	The Company conducts its annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30 of each year and has determined there to be no goodwill impairment for any of the periods presented. There were no triggering events identified from the date of our assessment through December 31, 2013 that would require an update to our annual impairment test. See “Note 4: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”
	Intangible assets, other than goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable.
	Impairment losses are recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair value.
Equity method investments	'Equity method investments:    The Company currently holds equity securities and warrants to purchase equity securities, for business and strategic purposes, in companies whose securities are not publicly traded. The equity method is used to account for investments in these companies, if the investment provides the Company with the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investees. The Company records its proportionate share of the net earnings or losses of equity method investees and a corresponding increase or decrease to the investment balances. The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management’s judgment, that the carrying value of such investments may have experienced a decline in value (see “Note 13: Other Loss, Net”). The Company’s equity investments were carried at a fair value of $0 at December 31, 2013 and 2012.
Debt issuance costs and debt discounts	'
	Debt issuance costs and debt discounts:    Debt issuance costs and debt discounts are deferred and amortized as interest expense under the effective interest method over the contractual term of the related debt, adjusted for prepayments in the case of the Company’s credit facilities (see “Note 8: Debt”).
	Debt issuance costs related to the Company’s Convertible Senior Notes (the “Notes”) issued in 2013 were allocated to the liability and equity components of the instrument. The debt issuance costs allocated to the liability component are amortized to interest expense through the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date of conversion, if any. The debt issuance costs allocated to the equity component of the Notes were recorded as an offset to “Additional paid-in capital” (See “Note 8: Debt”).
Derivative instruments and hedging	'
	Derivative instruments and hedging:    The Company recognizes derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at their fair value. The Company records changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments as gains or losses either in “Other loss, net” on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income or in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” on the consolidated balance sheets.
	Regarding hedging, the Company used a derivative financial instrument in the form of an interest rate swap agreement for the purpose of minimizing exposure to changes in interest rates, until the swap was terminated at break-even on September 10, 2013. The Company had no other swap agreements outstanding at December 31, 2013. This swap agreement was accounted for as a cash flow hedge, and changes in the fair value of the hedge instrument were included in “Other comprehensive income (loss).” The hedge was perfectly effective through termination, and no ineffectiveness was recorded to “Other loss, net” in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Fair value of financial instruments	'
	Fair value of financial instruments:    The Company measures its cash equivalents, available-for-sale investments, and derivative instruments at fair value. The Company considers the carrying values of accounts receivable, other receivables, inventory, prepaid expenses, other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities to approximate fair values primarily due to their short-term natures.
	Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, because the Company values its cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments utilizing market observable inputs. The Company classified its interest rate swap derivative within Level 2 as the valuation inputs were based on quoted prices and market observable data of similar instruments. As more fully discussed in “Note 8: Debt,” the interest rate swap was terminated at break-even on September 10, 2013. The Company classified the Warrant derivative within Level 3, because it was valued using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model, which has significant unobservable inputs related to historical stock price volatility. This unobservable input reflected the Company’s assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. This valuation required significant judgment. As more fully discussed in “Note 10: Stockholders’ Equity,” the Warrant was exercised in November 2013.
Revenue recognition	'
	Revenue recognition:    The Company recognizes revenue when all four revenue recognition criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the Company has delivered the product or performed the service, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is probable. Determining whether and when these criteria have been satisfied involves exercising judgment and using estimates and assumptions that can have an impact on the timing and amount of revenue that the Company recognizes.
	The Company evaluates whether revenue should be presented on a gross basis, which is the amount that a customer pays for the service or product, or on a net basis, which is the customer payment less amounts the Company pays to suppliers. In making that evaluation, the Company considers indicators such as whether the Company is the primary obligor in the arrangement and assumes the risks and rewards as a principal in the customer transaction, including the credit risk, and whether the Company can set the sales price and select suppliers. GAAP clearly indicates that the evaluations of these factors, which at times can be contradictory, are subject to significant judgment and subjectivity.
Search services revenue recognition	'
	Search services revenue recognition:    The majority of the Company’s revenues are generated from its web search services. The Search business does not generate its own search content for its web search services but instead aggregates search content from a number of content providers. Some of these content providers, such as Google and Yahoo!, pay us to distribute their content, and those providers are referred to as “Search Customers”. The Company generates search services revenue when an end user of such services clicks on a paid search link provided by a Search Customer and displayed on a distribution partners’ web property or on one of the Company’s owned and operated web properties. The Search Customer that provided the paid search link receives a fee from the advertiser who paid for the click and the Search Customer pays the Company a portion of that fee. Revenue is recognized in the period in which the services are provided (i.e., when a paid search occurs) and is based on the amounts earned by and ultimately remitted to the Company. This revenue is recorded in the Search segment.
	Under the Company’s agreements with its Search Customers and its distribution partners, the Company is the primary obligor, separately negotiates each revenue or unit pricing contract independent of any revenue sharing arrangements, and assumes the credit risk for amounts invoiced to its Search Customers. For search services, the Company determines the paid search results, content, and information directed to its owned and operated websites and its distribution partners’ web properties. Consequently, the Company records search services revenue on a gross basis.
Tax preparation revenue recognition	'
	Tax preparation revenue recognition:    The Company derives service revenue from the sale of tax preparation online services, ancillary service offerings, packaged tax preparation software, and multiple element arrangements that may include a combination of these items. Ancillary service offerings include tax preparation support services, data archive services, bank or reloadable pre-paid debit card services, e-filing services, and other value-added services. This revenue is recorded in the Tax Preparation segment.
	The Company’s Tax Preparation segment revenue consists primarily of hosted tax preparation online services, tax preparation support services, data archive services, and e-filing services. The Company recognizes revenue from these services as the services are performed and the four revenue recognition criteria described above are met.
	The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its packaged software when legal title transfers. This is generally when its customers download the software from the Web or when the software ships.
	The bank or reloadable prepaid debit card services are offered to taxpayers as an option to receive their tax refunds in the form of a prepaid bank card or to have the fees for the software and/or services purchased by the customers deducted from their refunds. Other value-added service revenue consists of revenue from revenue sharing and royalty arrangements with third party partners. Revenue for these transactions is recognized when the four revenue recognition criteria described above are met; for some arrangements that is upon filing and for other arrangements that is upon the Company’s determination of when collectability is probable.
	For software and/or services that consist of multiple elements, the Company must: (1) determine whether and when each element has been delivered; (2) determine the fair value of each element using the selling price hierarchy of vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value if available, third-party evidence (“TPE”) of fair value if VSOE is not available, and estimated selling price (“ESP”) if neither VSOE nor TPE is available; and (3) allocate the total price among the various elements based on the relative selling price method. Once the Company has allocated the total price among the various elements, it recognizes revenue when the revenue recognition criteria described above are met for each element.
	VSOE generally exists when the Company sells the deliverable separately. When VSOE cannot be established, the Company attempts to establish a selling price for each element based on TPE. TPE is determined based on competitor prices for similar deliverables when sold separately. When the Company is unable to establish selling price using VSOE or TPE, it uses ESP in its allocation of arrangement consideration. ESP is the estimated price at which the Company would sell the software or service if it were sold on a stand-alone basis. The Company determines ESP for the software or service by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, historical stand-alone sales, pricing practices, market conditions, competitive landscape, internal costs, and gross margin objectives.
	In some situations, the Company receives advance payments from its customers. The Company defers revenue associated with these advance payments and recognizes the allocated consideration for each element when the Company ships the software or performs the services, as appropriate. Advance payments related to data archive services are deferred and recognized over the related contractual term.
E Commerce revenue recognition	'
	E-Commerce revenue recognition:    The Company derives product revenue from online sales of self-branded electronics and accessories to both consumers and businesses. The Company recognizes product revenue from product sales when all four revenue recognition criteria, as outlined above, have been met. Because the Company either (i) has a general practice of refunding customer losses for products damaged while in-transit despite selling terms indicating title transfers at the point of shipment or (ii) has FOB-destination shipping terms specifically set out in certain arrangements, delivery is deemed to have occurred at the point in time when the product is received by the customer. All amounts billed to a customer in a sale transaction related to shipping and handling, if any, represent revenues earned for the goods provided, and these amounts have been classified as “Product revenue”. Costs related to such shipping and handling billings are classified as “Product cost of revenue”.
	The Company provides its customers with a thirty-day right of return. Return allowances, which reduce revenue, are estimated using historical experience.
Cost of revenues	'Cost of revenues:    The Company records the cost of revenues for sales of products and services when the related revenue is recognized. “Services cost of revenue” consists of costs related to revenue sharing arrangements with our distribution partners, usage-based content fees, certain costs associated with the operation of our data centers that serve the Company’s Search and Tax Preparation businesses, including amortization of intangible assets, depreciation, personnel expenses (which include salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs), bandwidth costs, bank service fees, and royalties. “Product cost of revenue” includes product costs, inbound and outbound shipping and handling costs, packaging supplies, and provisions for inventory obsolescence. Shipping charges to receive products from the Company’s suppliers are included in inventory and recognized as product cost of revenue upon sale of products to customers.
Engineering and technology expenses	'Engineering and technology expenses:    Engineering and technology expenses are associated with the research, development, support, and ongoing enhancements of the Company’s offerings, including personnel expenses (which include salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs), software support and maintenance, and professional service fees. Research and development expenses were $7.3 million in 2013, $6.1 million in 2012, and $4.1 million in 2011.
Sales and marketing expenses	'
	Sales and marketing expenses:    Sales and marketing expenses consist principally of marketing expenses associated with the Company’s TaxACT and Monoprice websites (which include the following channels: television, radio, online display and text, and email), the Company’s owned and operated web search properties (which consist of traffic acquisition, including the Company’s online marketing, which includes fees paid to search engines to drive traffic to an owned and operated website, agency fees, brand promotion expense and market research expense), personnel costs (which include salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs) for personnel engaged in marketing and selling activities, and fulfillment expenses primarily associated with the Company’s E-Commerce business. Fulfillment includes direct operating expenses (including personnel costs) relating to the Company’s purchasing, customer and technical support, receiving, inspection and warehouse functions, as well as the cost of temporary help and contractors, and credit card processing fees.
	Costs for advertising are recorded as expense when the advertisement appears or electronic impressions are recorded. Advertising expense totaled $75.9 million, $31.8 million, and $14.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Prepaid advertising costs were $0.8 million and $2.5 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
General and administrative expenses	'General and administrative expenses:    General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses (which include salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs), professional service fees (which include legal, audit, and tax fees), general business development and management expenses, occupancy and general office expenses, taxes, and insurance expenses.
Stock-based compensation	'Stock-based compensation:    The Company measures stock-based compensation at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognizes it as expense, net of estimated forfeitures, over the vesting or service period, as applicable, of the stock award using the straight-line method. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation over the vesting period for each separately vesting portion of a share-based award as if they were individual share-based awards. The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises those estimates, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
Employee benefit plan	'Employee benefit plan:    The Company has a 401(k) savings plan covering its employees. Eligible employees may contribute through payroll deductions. The Company may match the employees’ 401(k) contributions at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. Pursuant to a continuing resolution, in 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company has matched a portion of the 401(k) contributions made by its employees. The amount contributed by the Company is equal to a maximum of 50% of employee contributions up to a maximum of 3% of an employee’s salary. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company contributed $0.6 million, $0.4 million, and $0.3 million, respectively, for employees.
Leases	'Leases:    The Company leases office space and computer equipment used in its data centers. These leases are classified as either capital leases or operating leases, as appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2011, $0.2 million of amortization for assets acquired under capital leases, which terminated in 2011, was included in depreciation expense.
Income taxes	'Income taxes:    The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets, including net operating loss carryforwards, and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The Company periodically evaluates the likelihood of the realization of deferred tax assets and reduces the carrying amount of the deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance to the extent the Company believes a portion will not be realized. The Company considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of the deferred tax assets, including the recent cumulative earnings experience by taxing jurisdiction, expectations of future taxable income, the carryforward periods available for tax reporting purposes, and other relevant factors. There is a wide range of possible judgments relating to the valuation of the Company's deferred tax assets.
Loss from discontinued operations and loss on sale of discontinued operations	'
	Loss from discontinued operations and loss on sale of discontinued operations:    On June 22, 2011, the Company sold its Mercantila e-commerce business to Zoo Stores, Inc. The results of operations from that business are reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented (in thousands):
		Year ended
		December 31,
		2011
	Revenue from discontinued operations	$	16,894
	Loss from discontinued operations before taxes	$	(3,506	)
	Income tax benefit		1,253
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	(2,253	)
	Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of an income tax benefit of $5,092	$	(7,674	)
	Loss from discontinued operations includes previously unallocated depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, income taxes, and other corporate expenses that were attributable to the e-commerce business.
Other comprehensive income	'Other comprehensive income:    Comprehensive income includes net income plus items that are recorded directly to stockholders’ equity, including the net change in unrealized gains and losses on cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments, and certain derivative instruments. Included in the net change in unrealized gains and losses are realized gains or losses included in the determination of net income in the period realized. Amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive income into net income were determined on the basis of specific identification.
Concentration of credit risk	'
	Concentration of credit risk:    Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, short-term investments, and trade receivables. These instruments are generally unsecured and uninsured. The Company places its cash equivalents and investments with major financial institutions. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are derived from revenues earned from customers primarily located in the United States operating in a variety of industries and geographic areas. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and maintains allowances for potential credit losses.
	The Company attempts to manage exposure to counterparty credit risk by only entering into agreements with major financial institutions which are expected to be able to fully perform under the terms of the agreement.
Supplier concentration risk	'Supplier concentration risk:    A material part of Monoprice’s business is dependent on two vendors. These unrelated vendors accounted for $6.7 million, or 19%, of Monoprice’s inventory purchases during the period from August 22, 2013, the acquisition date, to December 31, 2013 and $2.4 million, or 20%, of Monoprice’s related accounts payable at December 31, 2013.
Revenue concentration	'
	Revenue concentration:    The Company derives a significant portion of its revenues from two Search Customers. Revenues from the top two Search Customers represented 74%, 84%, and 99% of revenues in each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. At December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, two Search Customers accounted for more than 90% of the Company’s accounts receivable balance.
	Geographic revenue information, as determined by the location of the customer, is presented below (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	United States	$	558,601		$	402,656	$	226,229
	International		15,379			4,263		2,584
	Total	$	573,980		$	406,919	$	228,813
Recent accounting pronouncements	'
	Recent accounting pronouncements:    Changes to GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the form of Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification. The Company considers the applicability and impact of all recent ASUs. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued an update to the authoritative guidance related to the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. This update required that significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income and their corresponding effect on net income be reported and, in some cases, cross-referenced to related footnote disclosures. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2013, and the adoption of these disclosure requirements did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. This new guidance is effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Net income (loss) per share	'
	“Basic net income per share” is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. “Diluted net income per share” is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, the Warrant, vesting of unvested RSUs, and the impact of shares that could be issued upon conversion or maturity of the Notes. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of earnings per share if their effect is antidilutive.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Estimated Useful Life of Property and Equipment	'
	Depreciation is computed under the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
	Computer equipment and software	3 years
	Data center servers	3 years
	Internally developed software	3 years
	Office equipment	7 years
	Office furniture	7 years
	Heavy equipment	10 years
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of lease term or economic life
Summary of Loss from Discontinued Operations and Loss on Sale of Discontinued Operations	'
	The results of operations from that business are reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented (in thousands):
		Year ended
		December 31,
		2011
	Revenue from discontinued operations	$	16,894
	Loss from discontinued operations before taxes	$	(3,506	)
	Income tax benefit		1,253
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	(2,253	)
	Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of an income tax benefit of $5,092	$	(7,674	)
Summary of Revenue Concentration	'
	Geographic revenue information, as determined by the location of the customer, is presented below (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	United States	$	558,601		$	402,656	$	226,229
	International		15,379			4,263		2,584
	Total	$	573,980		$	406,919	$	228,813

Business_Combinations_Tables

Business Combinations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Monoprice, Inc. [Member]	'
Summary of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed are Recorded at Their Fair Values as of Acquisition Date	'
	Preliminary valuations are as follows (in thousands):
		Fair Value
	Tangible assets acquired	$	49,714
	Liabilities assumed		(23,623	)
	Identifiable net assets acquired	$	26,091
	Fair value adjustments to intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	$	30,900
	Trade name		38,000
	Fair value of intangible assets acquired	$	68,900
	Purchase price:
	Cash paid	$	182,909
	Less identifiable net assets acquired		(26,091	)
	Plus deferred tax liability related to intangible assets		27,683
	Less fair value of intangible assets acquired		(68,900	)
	Excess of purchase price over net assets acquired, allocated to goodwill	$	115,601
Pro Forma Financial Information of Acquisitions	'
	The following amounts are in thousands:
		Years ended
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Revenues	$	663,900		$	525,027
	Net income (loss)	$	25,637		$	22,874
TaxACT [Member]	'
Summary of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed are Recorded at Their Fair Values as of Acquisition Date	'
	Final valuations are as follows (in thousands):
		Fair Value
	Tangible assets acquired	$	22,465
	Liabilities assumed		(17,759	)
	Identifiable net assets acquired	$	4,706
	Fair value adjustments to intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	$	101,400
	Proprietary technology		29,800
	Trade name		19,499
	Fair value of intangible assets acquired	$	150,699
	Purchase price:
	Cash paid	$	287,500
	Less identifiable net assets acquired		(4,706	)
	Plus deferred tax liability related to intangible assets		53,380
	Less fair value of intangible assets acquired		(150,699	)
	Excess of purchase price over net assets acquired, allocated to goodwill	$	185,475
Pro Forma Financial Information of Acquisitions	'
	The following amounts are in thousands:
		Years ended
		December 31,
		2012			2011
	Revenues	$	427,809		$	307,594
	Net income (loss)	$	26,819		$	11,251

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Goodwill Activity	'
	The following table presents the changes in goodwill by reportable segment (in thousands):
		Search		Tax Preparation			E-Commerce		Total
	Goodwill as of December 31, 2011	$	44,815	$	—		$	—	$	44,815
	Additions		—		185,475			—		185,475
	Goodwill as of December 31, 2012		44,815		185,475			—		230,290
	Additions		—		3,066			115,601		118,667
	Goodwill as of December 31, 2013	$	44,815	$	188,541		$	115,601	$	348,957
Intangible Assets Other than Goodwill	'
	Intangible assets other than goodwill consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
		Gross carrying		Accumulated			Other intangible		Gross carrying		Accumulated			Other intangible
		amount		amortization			assets, net		amount		amortization			assets, net
	Definite-lived intangible assets:
	Installed code base technology	$	12,650	$	(12,587	)	$	63	$	12,650	$	(12,369	)	$	281
	Core technology		1,085		(1,085	)		—		1,085		(1,085	)		—
	Tax Preparation customer relationships		101,400		(24,294	)		77,106		101,400		(11,619	)		89,781
	Tax Preparation proprietary technology		29,800		(14,279	)		15,521		29,800		(6,829	)		22,971
	E-Commerce B2C customer relationships		14,500		(2,592	)		11,908		—		—			—
	E-Commerce B2B customer relationships		16,400		(837	)		15,563		—		—			—
	Balance Financial customer relationships		200		(17	)		183		—		—			—
	Other		6,705		(6,667	)		38		6,667		(6,667	)		—
	Total definite-lived intangible assets		182,740		(62,358	)		120,382		151,602		(38,569	)		113,033
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
	Tax Preparation trade names		19,499		—			19,499		19,499		—			19,499
	E-Commerce trade names		38,000		—			38,000		—		—			—
	Other		183		—			183		283					283
	Total indefinite-lived intangible assets		57,682		—			57,682		19,782		—			19,782
	Total	$	240,422	$	(62,358	)	$	178,064	$	171,384	$	(38,569	)	$	132,815
Summary of Amortization Expense	'
	Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was as follows (in thousands):
		2013		2012			2011
	Statement of comprehensive income line item:
	Services cost of revenue	$	7,668	$	7,580		$	2,595
	Amortization of intangible assets		16,121		11,619			—
	Total	$	23,789	$	19,199		$	2,595
Information About Expected Amortization of Definite-Lived Intangible Assets	'
	Information about expected amortization of definite-lived intangible assets held as of December 31, 2013 in the next five years is presented in the below table (in thousands):
		2014		2015			2016		2017		2018			Thereafter		Total
	Statement of comprehensive income line item:
	Services cost of revenues	$	7,513	$	7,450		$	621	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	15,584
	Amortization of intangible assets		22,334		19,742			15,068		15,018		15,018			17,618		104,798
	Total	$	29,847	$	27,192		$	15,689	$	15,018	$	15,018		$	17,618	$	120,382

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value Hierarchy of Financial Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value and Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The fair value hierarchy of the Company's financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis was as follows (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013			Fair value measurements at the reporting date using
					Quoted prices in		Significant other			Significant
					active markets		observable			unobservable
					using identical assets		inputs			inputs
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents:
	U.S. government securities	$	6,400		$	—	$	6,400		$	—
	Money market and other funds		9,391			—		9,391			—
	Commercial paper		17,999			—		17,999			—
	Time deposits		499			—		499			—
	Taxable municipal bonds		21,215			—		21,215			—
	Total cash equivalents		55,504			—		55,504			—
	Available-for-sale securities:
	U.S. government securities		58,114			—		58,114			—
	Commercial paper		14,496			—		14,496			—
	Time deposits		9,880			—		9,880			—
	Taxable municipal bonds		120,990			—		120,990			—
	Total available-for-sale securities		203,480			—		203,480			—
	Total assets at fair value	$	258,984		$	—	$	258,984		$	—
		December 31, 2012			Fair value measurements at the reporting date using
					Quoted prices in		Significant other			Significant
					active markets		observable			unobservable
					using identical assets		inputs			inputs
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents:
	U.S. government securities	$	6,900		$	—	$	6,900		$	—
	Money market and other funds		13,723			—		13,723			—
	Commercial paper		6,999			—		6,999			—
	Time deposits		1,245			—		1,245			—
	Taxable municipal bonds		8,794			—		8,794			—
	Total cash equivalents		37,661			—		37,661			—
	Available-for-sale securities:
	U.S. government securities		41,402			—		41,402			—
	Commercial paper		9,396			—		9,396			—
	Time deposits		7,169			—		7,169			—
	Taxable municipal bonds		36,043			—		36,043			—
	Total available-for-sale securities		94,010			—		94,010			—
	Total assets		131,671			—		131,671			—
	Liabilities
	Derivative instruments:
	Warrant (see Note 10)		(8,564	)		—		—			(8,564	)
	Interest rate swap (see Note 8)		(410	)		—		(410	)		—
	Total liabilities		(8,974	)		—		(410	)		(8,564	)
	Total assets and liabilities at fair value	$	122,697		$	—	$	131,261		$	(8,564	)
Investments Classified as Available-for-Sale	'
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, all investments classified as available-for-sale had maturity dates of within one year as follows (in thousands):
		Amortized			Gross unrealized		Gross unrealized			Fair
		Cost			gains		losses			value
	As of December 31, 2013	$	203,479		$	24	$	(23	)	$	203,480
	As of December 31, 2012	$	94,029		$	36	$	(55	)	$	94,010

Balance_Sheet_Components_Table

Balance Sheet Components (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	'
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net consisted of the following as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net
	Prepaid expenses	$	4,370		$	5,268
	Other current assets, net		5,404			5,643
	Total prepaid expenses and other current assets, net	$	9,774		$	10,911
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment consisted of the following as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Property and equipment
	Computer equipment and data center	$	10,792		$	13,262
	Purchased software		6,153			5,046
	Internally developed software		7,166			4,691
	Office equipment		421			1,758
	Office furniture		2,061			612
	Heavy equipment		2,944			—
	Leasehold improvements and other		3,553			3,400
			33,090			28,769
	Accumulated depreciation		(17,985	)		(22,636	)
			15,105			6,133
	Capital projects in progress		1,003			1,400
	Total property and equipment	$	16,108		$	7,533
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	'
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
	Salaries and related expenses	$	7,708		$	5,185
	Accrued content costs		4,132			3,017
	Accrued advertising		6,155			1,886
	Accrued interest on Notes (see Note 8)		2,138			—
	Tax refunds payable to sellers		6,814			925
	Earn-out contingent liability		194			1,101
	Other		3,968			1,166
	Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	31,109		$	13,280

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Fair Values of Outstanding Derivative Instruments	'
	Derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Balance sheet location		December 31,
				2013				2012
	Derivative liabilities
	Derivative designated as a hedging instrument:
	Interest rate contract (interest rate swap, see Note 8)	Current liabilities - derivative instruments		$	—			$	410
	Derivative not designated as a hedging instrument:
	Equity contract (the Warrant, see Note 10)	Current liabilities - derivative instruments			—				8,564
	Total derivative liabilities			$	—			$	8,974
Summary of Effect of Derivative Instrument Not Designated as Hedging Instruments on Income	'
	The effect on income of the derivative instrument not designated as a hedging instrument (the Warrant) is summarized below (in thousands):
						Years ended
						December 31,
		Statement of comprehensive income				2013				2012
		location
	Equity contract (the Warrant, see Note 10)		Other loss, net			$	(11,652	)		$	(2,346	)

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Company's Debt	'
	The Company’s debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013								December 31, 2012
		Principal			Unamortized			Net carrying		Principal		Unamortized			Net carrying
		amount			discount			value		amount		discount			value
	Monoprice 2013 credit facility	$	50,000		$	(288	)	$	49,712	$	—	$	—		$	—
	TaxACT 2013 credit facility		71,384			—			71,384		—		—			—
	Convertible Senior Notes		201,250			(19,667	)		181,583		—		—			—
	TaxACT 2012 credit facility		—			—			—		74,496		(628	)		73,868
	Total debt	$	322,634		$	(19,955	)	$	302,679	$	74,496	$	(628	)	$	73,868
Analysis of Extinguishment or Modification of Debt	'
	The Company performed an analysis by creditor to determine whether the refinancing would be recorded as an extinguishment or a modification of debt and, as a result of this analysis, recognized a loss on partial extinguishment of debt comprised of the following (in thousands):
	Fees paid to creditors in connection with the refinance, including arrangement fee, classified as extinguishment	$	567
	Deferred financing costs on extinguished debt		726
	Debt discount on extinguished debt		300
	Total	$	1,593
Schedule of Total Interest Expense on Convertible Senior Notes	'
	The following table sets forth total interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 related to the Notes (in thousands):
	Contractual interest expense (Cash)	$	6,795
	Amortization of debt issuance costs (Non-cash)		684
	Accretion of debt discount (Non-cash)		2,674
	Total interest expense	$	10,153
	Effective interest rate of the liability component		7.32	%

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Contractual Commitments	'
	The Company's contractual commitments were as follows for years ending December 31 (in thousands):
		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter		Total
	Operating lease commitments	$	2,687	$	2,413	$	1,894	$	1,933	$	1,783	$	2,546	$	13,256
	Purchase commitments		646		437		92		62		—		—		1,237
	Debt commitments		8,000		8,000		8,000		8,000		89,384		201,250		322,634
	Interest on Notes		8,553		8,553		8,553		8,553		8,553		4,277		47,042
	Escrow for acquisition-related indemnifications		—		735		—		—		—		—		735
	Total	$	19,886	$	20,138	$	18,539	$	18,548	$	99,720	$	208,073	$	384,904

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The following table provides information about activity in other comprehensive income during the period from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Unrealized gain (loss)			Unrealized gain (loss)			Total
		on investments			on derivative
					instrument
	Balance as of January 1, 2011	$	(2	)	$	—		$	(2	)
	Other comprehensive income		34			—			34
	Balance as of December 31, 2011		32			—			32
	Other comprehensive loss		(42	)		(266	)		(308	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		(10	)		(266	)		(276	)
	Other comprehensive income		10			266			276
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	—		$	—		$	—

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Stock Options, RSUs and MSUs	'
	A summary of the general terms of stock options, RSUs, and MSUs at December 31, 2013 was as follows:
	Number of shares authorized for awards		8,816,797
	Options, RSUs, and MSUs outstanding		4,905,167
	Options, RSUs, and MSUs expected to vest		4,534,038
	Options, RSUs, and MSUs available for grant		3,911,630
Stock Incentive Plans Activity	'
	During 2013, the following activity occurred under the Company’s stock incentive plans:
		Options			Weighted average		Intrinsic value			Weighted average
					exercise price		(in thousands)			remaining contractual
										term
										(in years)
	Stock options:
	Outstanding December 31, 2012		3,743,639		$	12.29
	Granted		912,237			16.85
	Forfeited		(26,767	)		14.35
	Expired		(593,550	)		24.17
	Exercised		(248,998	)		11.41
	Outstanding December 31, 2013		3,786,561		$	11.57	$	66,597			4.7
	Exercisable, December 31, 2013		2,246,299		$	9.6	$	43,928			4
	Expected to vest after December 31, 2013		3,606,196		$	11.39	$	64,098			4.6
		Stock units			Weighted average		Intrinsic value			Weighted average
					grant date		(in thousands)			remaining contractual
					fair value					term
										(in years)
	RSUs:
	Outstanding December 31, 2012		825,288		$	12.38
	Granted		775,626			18.86
	Forfeited		(91,070	)		13.99
	Vested		(431,363	)		11.97
	Outstanding December 31, 2013		1,078,481		$	17.07	$	31,449			1.3
	Expected to vest after December 31, 2013		889,928		$	17.07	$	25,950			1.1
	MSUs:
	Outstanding December 31, 2012		80,250		$	9.28
	Granted		—			—
	Forfeited		—			—
	Vested		(40,125	)		9.28
	Outstanding December 31, 2013		40,125		$	9.28	$	1,170			0.4
	Expected to vest after December 31, 2013		37,914		$	9.28	$	1,106			0.4
Schedule of Supplemental Information	'
	Supplemental information is presented below:
		Years ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Stock options:
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share granted	$	5.05		$	3.84	$	2.8
	Total intrinsic value of options exercised (in thousands)	$	2,626		$	3,886	$	2,474
	RSUs:
	Weighted average grant date fair value per unit granted	$	18.86		$	13.19	$	8.86
	Total intrinsic value of units vested (in thousands)	$	7,986		$	4,663	$	5,945
	Total fair value of units vested (in thousands)	$	5,163		$	3,049	$	6,293
	MSUs:
	Weighted average grant date fair value per unit granted	$	—		$	—	$	9.28
	Total intrinsic value of units vested (in thousands)	$	679		$	511	$	—
	Total fair value of units vested (in thousands)	$	248		$	248	$	—
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	The Company has included the following amounts for stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 (amounts in thousands):
		2013			2012		2011
	Services cost of revenues	$	662		$	558	$	286
	Engineering and technology		1,351			1,180		821
	Sales and marketing		2,335			1,909		1,002
	General and administrative		7,179			9,576		5,579
	Total	$	11,527		$	13,223	$	7,688
	Discontinued operations	$	—		$	—	$	(159	)
	Excluded and capitalized as part of internal-use software		115			121		206
Stock Option Grants and Warrant	'
	To estimate stock-based compensation expense, the Company used the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation method for all but the MSUs, for which the Monte Carlo valuation method was used, with the following assumptions for equity awards granted:
		Years ended December 31,
		2013		2012	2011
	Stock option grants:
	Risk-free interest rate	0.25% - 1.06%		0.26% - 1.57%	0.25% - 1.58%
	Expected dividend yield	0%		0%	0%
	Expected volatility	40% - 46%		40% - 48%	40% - 50%
	Expected life	3.2 years		3.3 years	3.0 years
	Non-employee stock option grant:
	Risk-free interest rate	—		0.26%	—
	Expected dividend yield	—		0%	—
	Expected volatility	—		38% - 41%	—
	Expected life	—		1.6 - 2.2 years	—
	MSU grants:
	Risk-free interest rate	—		—	0.15%
	Blucora expected dividend yield	—		—	0%
	iShares Russell 2000 Index expected dividend yield	—		—	1.08%
	Blucora closing stock price	—		—	$8.74
	iShares Russell 2000 Index closing price	—		—	$82.29
	Blucora expected volatility	—		—	37.40%
	iShares Russell 2000 Index expected volatility	—		—	20.30%
	Measurement period	—		—	1.0 years
	Warrant grant:
	Risk-free interest rate	—		0.95%	0.46%
	Expected dividend yield	—		0%	0%
	Expected volatility	—		46%	39%
	Expected life	—		5.6 years	2.0 years
Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	As of December 31, 2013, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock awards is as follows:
		Expense			Weighted average
		(in thousands)			period over which to be
					recognized
					(in years)
	Stock options	$	2,192			1.3
	RSUs		5,756			1.3
	MSUs		28			0.4
		$	7,976			1.3

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Information on Reportable Segments for Reconciliation to Consolidated Net Income	'
	Information on reportable segments currently presented to the Company’s chief operating decision maker and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for 2013, 2012, and 2011 are presented below (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Revenues:
	Search	$	428,464		$	344,814		$	228,813
	Tax Preparation		91,213			62,105			—
	E-Commerce		54,303			—			—
	Total revenues		573,980			406,919			228,813
	Operating income:
	Search		82,504			62,185			46,206
	Tax Preparation		40,599			30,052			—
	E-Commerce		4,967			—			—
	Corporate-level activity		(53,621	)		(48,032	)		(24,727	)
	Total operating income		74,449			44,205			21,479
	Other loss, net		(29,623	)		(6,677	)		(1,246	)
	Income tax benefit (expense)		(20,427	)		(15,002	)		11,288
	Income from continuing operations		24,399			22,526			31,521
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			—			(9,927	)
	Net income	$	24,399		$	22,526		$	21,594

Other_Loss_Net_Tables

Other Loss, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Loss Net	'
	“Other loss, net” for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Interest income	$	(300	)	$	(131	)	$	(369	)
	Interest expense (see Note 8)		9,463			3,522			—
	Amortization of debt issuance costs (see Note 8)		1,108			820			—
	Accretion of debt discounts (see Note 8)		2,838			325			—
	Loss on debt extinguishment and modification expense (see Note 8)		1,593			—			—
	Loss on derivative instrument (see Note 7)		11,652			2,346			—
	Impairment of equity investment in privately-held company		3,711			—			—
	Increase (decrease) in fair value of earn-out contingent liability		(300	)		—			3,000
	Gain on contingency resolution		—			—			(1,500	)
	Other		(142	)		(205	)		115
	Other loss, net	$	29,623		$	6,677		$	1,246

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations	'
	Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	U.S. federal	$	30,452		$	23,303		$	7,416
	State		642			437			166
	Total current expense		31,094			23,740			7,582
	Deferred:
	U.S. federal		(10,430	)		(8,234	)		(18,654	)
	State		(237	)		(504	)		(216	)
	Total deferred benefit		(10,667	)		(8,738	)		(18,870	)
	Income tax expense (benefit), net	$	20,427		$	15,002		$	(11,288	)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations Differed from Amount Computed by Applying Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate	'
	The income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations differed from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Income tax expense at federal statutory rate of 35%	$	15,689		$	13,135		$	7,082
	Non-deductible compensation		221			1,621			675
	Deductible domestic production costs		(949	)		(804	)		—
	Non-deductible loss on derivative instrument (the Warrant, see Note 7)		4,078			821			—
	Change in liabilities for uncertain tax positions		(201	)		(75	)		79
	Change in valuation allowance		1,108			—			(19,272	)
	Other		481			304			148
	Income tax expense (benefit), net	$	20,427		$	15,002		$	(11,288	)
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	The tax effect of temporary differences and net operating loss carryforwards from continuing operations that gave rise to the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Current:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	34,167		$	26,089
	Accrued compensation		1,605			1,199
	Deferred revenue		2,385			1,105
	Inventory		800			—
	Other, net		1,903			1,082
	Total current deferred tax assets		40,860			29,475
	Non-current:
	Net operating loss carryforwards		190,974			227,079
	Tax credit carryforwards		9,259			7,719
	Depreciation and amortization		7,696			10,310
	Stock-based compensation		5,318			5,381
	Other, net		4,204			2,214
	Total non-current deferred tax assets		217,451			252,703
	Total gross deferred tax assets		258,311			282,178
	Valuation allowance		(235,730	)		(262,353	)
	Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		22,581			19,825
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Current:
	Other, net		(253	)		—
	Total current deferred tax liabilities		(253	)		—
	Non-current:
	Depreciation and amortization		(68,888	)		(46,313	)
	Discount on Notes		(6,977	)		—
	Other, net		(5	)		(770	)
	Total non-current deferred tax liabilities		(75,870	)		(47,083	)
	Total gross deferred tax liabilities		(76,123	)		(47,083	)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(53,542	)	$	(27,258	)
Changes in Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets	'
	The changes in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are shown below (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of year	$	262,353		$	283,000
	Net changes to deferred tax assets, subject to a valuation allowance		(26,623	)		(20,647	)
	Balance at end of year	$	235,730		$	262,353
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit Balances	'
	A reconciliation of the unrecognized tax benefit balances is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	18,267
	Gross increases for tax positions of prior years		1,208
	Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years		(216	)
	Lapse of statute of limitations		(171	)
	Balance at December 31, 2012		19,088
	Gross increases for tax positions of prior years		219
	Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years		(101	)
	Settlements		(562	)
	Lapse of statute of limitations		(107	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	18,537

Net_Income_Per_Share_Tables

Net Income Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Summary of Dilutive Effect for Awards with Exercise Price Less Than Average Stock Price	'
	The weighted average shares were as follows for the periods presented (in thousands):
		Years ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic		41,201		40,279		37,954
	Dilutive potential common shares		2,279		1,393		667
	Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted		43,480		41,672		38,621
	Antidilutive shares excluded		381		1,172		3,803

The_Company_and_Basis_of_Prese2

The Company and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
	Segment
Number of segments	3
Monoprice, Inc. [Member]	'
Percentage of acquisition	100.00%
Date of acquisition	22-Aug-13
TaxACT [Member]	'
Percentage of acquisition	100.00%
Date of acquisition	31-Jan-12
Balance Financial [Member]	'
Date of acquisition	4-Oct-13

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Estimated Useful Life of Property and Equipment (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Computer equipment and software [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years
Data center servers [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years
Internally developed software [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years
Office equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'7 years
Office furniture [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'7 years
Heavy equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'10 years
Leasehold improvements and other [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	'Shorter of lease term or economic life

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Vendor
	Customer
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'
Software development costs	$1,200,000	$1,000,000	$1,200,000
Goodwill impairment	0	0	0
Equity investments	0	0	'
Research and development expenses	7,300,000	6,100,000	4,100,000
Advertising expense	75,900,000	31,800,000	14,400,000
Prepaid advertising costs	800,000	2,500,000	'
Company contribution for employees	600,000	400,000	300,000
Amount contributed to employee benefit plan, maximum percentage	50.00%	'	'
Amount contributed to employee benefit plan, maximum percentage of an employees salary	3.00%	'	'
Amortization of assets acquired under capital leases	'	'	200,000
Capital lease termination period	'2011	'	'
Number of vendors	2	'	'
Contribution from customer	90.00%	90.00%	90.00%
Number of search customers	2	'	'
Interest rate contract (interest rate swap) [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'
Swap agreements outstanding	0	'	'
Revenue [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues from customers	74.00%	84.00%	99.00%
Supplier concentration risk [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrelated vendors accounted inventory purchases	6,700,000	'	'
Unrelated vendors accounts payable	$2,400,000	'	'
Supplier concentration risk [Member] | Inventory [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues from customers	19.00%	'	'
Supplier concentration risk [Member] | Accounts payable [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues from customers	20.00%	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Loss from Discontinued Operations and Loss on Sale of Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax [Abstract]	'
Revenue from discontinued operations	$16,894
Loss from discontinued operations before taxes	-3,506
Income tax benefit	1,253
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	-2,253
Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of an income tax benefit of $5,092	($7,674)

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Loss from Discontinued Operations and Loss on Sale of Discontinued Operations (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax [Abstract]	'
Income tax benefit	$5,092

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Revenue Concentration (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	$573,980	$406,919	$228,813
Operating Segments [Member] | United States [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	558,601	402,656	226,229
Operating Segments [Member] | International [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	$15,379	$4,263	$2,584

Business_Combinations_Addition

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

31-May-12

Oct. 04, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 22, 2013

Aug. 22, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Stock Option [Member]

Balance Financial [Member]

Balance Financial [Member]

Monoprice, Inc. [Member]

Monoprice, Inc. [Member]

Monoprice, Inc. [Member]

Monoprice, Inc. [Member]

Monoprice, Inc. [Member]

Monoprice, Inc. [Member]

Monoprice, Inc. [Member]

Monoprice, Inc. [Member]

Monoprice, Inc. [Member]

Business-to-consumer customer relationships [Member]

Business-to-business customer relationships [Member]

Personal property assets [Member]

Stock Option [Member]

Restricted stock units (RSUs) [Member]

Performance-based restricted stock units (PSUs) [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Date of acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

4-Oct-13

'

'

22-Aug-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash paid for acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

$4,900,000

'

$182,900,000

$182,909,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Indemnifications related to general representations and warranties

'

'

'

'

'

700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Escrow period expire date

'

'

'

'

'

'

3-Jun-15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition identifiable net assets acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

26,091,000

26,091,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition Identifiable net asset acquired consisting intangible assets and deferred tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

68,900,000

68,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill acquired

'

348,957,000

230,290,000

44,815,000

'

'

3,100,000

115,601,000

115,601,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Working capital adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, restricted stock units and performance stock units granted during the period to Monoprice employees

200,000

'

'

'

190,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27,152

126,259

243,750

Estimates lives of acquired intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'7 years

'6 years

'

'

'

Gross contractual amount of trade accounts receivable acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,200,000

3,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of deferred revenue acquiree

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,300,000

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Book value of deferred revenue prior to acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue

'

573,980,000

406,919,000

228,813,000

'

'

'

'

'

54,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating income contribution

'

$74,449,000

$44,205,000

$21,479,000

'

'

'

'

'

$5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business_Combinations_Summary_

Business Combinations - Summary of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed are Recorded at Their Fair Values as of Acquisition Date (Detail) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Aug. 22, 2013

Aug. 22, 2013

Aug. 22, 2013

Aug. 22, 2013

Jan. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Monoprice, Inc. [Member]

Monoprice, Inc. [Member]

Monoprice, Inc. [Member]

Monoprice, Inc. [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

Customer relationships [Member]

Trade name [Member]

Customer relationships [Member]

Trade name [Member]

Proprietary technology [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tangible assets acquired

'

'

'

$49,714

$49,714

'

'

$22,465

$22,465

'

'

'

Liabilities assumed

'

'

'

-23,623

-23,623

'

'

-17,759

-17,759

'

'

'

Identifiable net assets acquired

'

'

'

26,091

26,091

'

'

4,706

4,706

'

'

'

Fair value adjustments to intangible assets:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of intangible assets acquired

'

'

'

68,900

68,900

30,900

38,000

150,699

150,699

101,400

19,499

29,800

Cash paid

'

'

'

182,900

182,909

'

'

287,500

287,500

'

'

'

Less identifiable net assets acquired

'

'

'

-26,091

-26,091

'

'

-4,706

-4,706

'

'

'

Plus deferred tax liability related to intangible assets

'

'

'

27,683

27,683

'

'

53,380

53,380

'

'

'

Less fair value of intangible assets acquired

'

'

'

-68,900

-68,900

-30,900

-38,000

-150,699

-150,699

-101,400

-19,499

-29,800

Excess of purchase price over net assets acquired, allocated to goodwill

$348,957

$230,290

$44,815

$115,601

$115,601

'

'

$185,475

$185,475

'

'

'

Business_Combinations_Pro_Form

Business Combinations - Pro Forma Financial Information of Acquisitions (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Monoprice, Inc. [Member]	Monoprice, Inc. [Member]	TaxACT [Member]	TaxACT [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$663,900	$525,027	$427,809	$307,594
Net income (loss)	$25,637	$22,874	$26,819	$11,251

Business_Combinations_TaxAct_A

Business Combinations - TaxAct - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Shares purchased pursuant to ESPP [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

Customer relationships [Member]

Proprietary technology [Member]

Personal property assets [Member]

Shares purchased pursuant to ESPP [Member]

Restricted stock units (RSUs) [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Date of acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Jan-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash paid for acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

$287,500,000

$287,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility drawn

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

Debt origination costs related to credit facility

'

714,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options and restricted stock units granted during the period

200,000

'

'

'

912,237

'

'

'

'

'

380,000

167,000

'

'

'

Estimates lives of acquired intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'8 years

'4 years

'3 years

Gross contractual amount of trade accounts receivable acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of deferred revenue acquiree

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of deferred revenue prior to acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue

'

573,980,000

406,919,000

228,813,000

'

'

'

'

62,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating income contribution

'

$74,449,000

$44,205,000

$21,479,000

'

'

'

'

$30,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Goodwill Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	$230,290	$44,815
Additions	118,667	185,475
Ending balance	348,957	230,290
Search [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	44,815	44,815
Additions	'	'
Ending balance	44,815	44,815
Tax Preparation [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	185,475	'
Additions	3,066	185,475
Ending balance	188,541	185,475
E-Commerce [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'
Additions	115,601	'
Ending balance	$115,601	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	$182,740	$151,602
Definite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	-62,358	-38,569
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	120,382	113,033
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	57,682	19,782
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	57,682	19,782
Gross carrying amount, Total	240,422	171,384
Accumulated amortization, Total	-62,341	-38,569
Other intangible assets, net, Total	178,064	132,815
Installed code base technology [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	12,650	12,650
Definite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	-12,587	-12,369
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	63	281
Core technology [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	1,085	1,085
Definite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	-1,085	-1,085
Tax Preparation customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	101,400	101,400
Definite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	-24,294	-11,619
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	77,106	89,781
Tax Preparation proprietary technology [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	29,800	29,800
Definite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	-14,279	-6,829
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	15,521	22,971
E-Commerce B2C customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	14,500	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	-2,592	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	11,908	'
E-Commerce B2B customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	16,400	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	-837	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	15,563	'
Balance Financial Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	200	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	-17	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	183	'
Other [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	6,705	6,667
Definite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	-6,667	-6,667
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	38	'
Tax Preparation trade names [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	19,499	19,499
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	19,499	19,499
E-Commerce trade names [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	38,000	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	38,000	'
Other [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	183	283
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	$183	$283

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Amortized Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$16,121	$11,619	$2,595
Services cost of revenue [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense	7,668	7,580	2,595
Amortization of intangible assets [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$16,121	$11,619	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Information About Expected Amortization of Definite-Lived Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
2014	$29,847
2015	27,192
2016	15,689
2017	15,018
2018	15,018
Thereafter	17,618
Total	120,382
Services cost of revenue [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
2014	7,513
2015	7,450
2016	621
2017	'
2018	'
Thereafter	'
Total	15,584
Amortization of intangible assets [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
2014	22,334
2015	19,742
2016	15,068
2017	15,018
2018	15,018
Thereafter	17,618
Total	$104,798

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_6

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (Weighted average [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Weighted average amortization period for definite-lived intangible assets	'62 months
Technology [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Weighted average amortization period for definite-lived intangible assets	'25 months
Customer relationships [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Weighted average amortization period for definite-lived intangible assets	'68 months

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value Hierarchy of Financial Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value and Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	$203,480	$94,010
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	55,504	37,661
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	203,480	94,010
Total assets	258,984	131,671
Liabilities	'	'
Total liabilities	'	-8,974
Total assets and liabilities at fair value	'	122,697
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Warrant [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative instruments	'	-8,564
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest rate swap [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative instruments	'	-410
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. government securities [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	6,400	6,900
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	58,114	41,402
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Money market and other funds [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	9,391	13,723
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	17,999	6,999
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	14,496	9,396
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Time deposits [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	499	1,245
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	9,880	7,169
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Taxable municipal bonds [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	21,215	8,794
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	120,990	36,043
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets using identical assets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	'	'
Total assets	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Total liabilities	'	'
Total assets and liabilities at fair value	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets using identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Warrant [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative instruments	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets using identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Interest rate swap [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative instruments	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets using identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. government securities [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets using identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Money market and other funds [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets using identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets using identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Time deposits [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets using identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Taxable municipal bonds [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	55,504	37,661
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	203,480	94,010
Total assets	258,984	131,671
Liabilities	'	'
Total liabilities	'	-410
Total assets and liabilities at fair value	'	131,261
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Warrant [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative instruments	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Interest rate swap [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative instruments	'	-410
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | U.S. government securities [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	6,400	6,900
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	58,114	41,402
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Money market and other funds [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	9,391	13,723
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	17,999	6,999
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	14,496	9,396
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Time deposits [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	499	1,245
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	9,880	7,169
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Taxable municipal bonds [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	21,215	8,794
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	120,990	36,043
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	'	'
Total assets	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Total liabilities	'	-8,564
Total assets and liabilities at fair value	'	-8,564
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Warrant [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative instruments	'	-8,564
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Interest rate swap [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative instruments	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | U.S. government securities [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Money market and other funds [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Time deposits [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	'	'
Fair value measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Taxable municipal bonds [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total cash equivalents	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Total available-for-sale securities	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Change in fair value of warrant recorded in other loss, net	$11,652	$2,346
Adjustment of derivative instrument liability	$20,217	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Invest

Fair Value Measurements - Investments Classified as Available-for-Sale (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Amortized Cost	$203,479	$94,029
Gross unrealized gains	24	36
Gross unrealized losses	-23	-55
Total available-for-sale securities	$203,480	$94,010

Balance_Sheet_Components_Prepa

Balance Sheet Components - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net	'	'
Prepaid expenses	$4,370	$5,268
Other current assets, net	5,404	5,643
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets, net	$9,774	$10,911

Balance_Sheet_Components_Prope

Balance Sheet Components - Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property and equipment	'	'
Heavy equipment	$2,944	'
Property and equipment, Gross	33,090	28,769
Accumulated depreciation	-17,985	-22,636
Property and equipment	15,105	6,133
Capital projects in progress	1,003	1,400
Total property and equipment	16,108	7,533
Computer equipment and data center [Member]	'	'
Property and equipment	'	'
Property and equipment, Gross	10,792	13,262
Purchased software [Member]	'	'
Property and equipment	'	'
Property and equipment, Gross	6,153	5,046
Internally developed software [Member]	'	'
Property and equipment	'	'
Property and equipment, Gross	7,166	4,691
Office equipment [Member]	'	'
Property and equipment	'	'
Property and equipment, Gross	421	1,758
Office furniture [Member]	'	'
Property and equipment	'	'
Property and equipment, Gross	2,061	612
Leasehold improvements and other [Member]	'	'
Property and equipment	'	'
Property and equipment, Gross	$3,553	$3,400

Balance_Sheet_Components_Addit

Balance Sheet Components - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total depreciation expense	$4,500,000	$3,800,000	$4,900,000
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	16,108,000	7,533,000	'
Depreciation	2,739,000	2,119,000	2,162,000
Internally developed software [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	3,200,000	1,400,000	'
Depreciation	$900,000	$900,000	$900,000

Balance_Sheet_Components_Accru

Balance Sheet Components - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Salaries and related expenses	$7,708	$5,185
Accrued content costs	4,132	3,017
Accrued advertising	6,155	1,886
Accrued interest on Notes (see Note 8)	2,138	'
Tax refunds payable to sellers	6,814	925
Earn-out contingent liability	194	1,101
Other	3,968	1,166
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$31,109	$13,280

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Summary of Fair Values of Outstanding Derivative Instruments (Detail) (Fair value of derivative instruments [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of fair values of outstanding derivative instruments	'	'
Total derivative liabilities	'	$8,974
Derivative designated as a hedging instrument [Member] | Interest rate contract (interest rate swap) [Member] | Current liabilities - derivative instruments [Member]	'	'
Summary of fair values of outstanding derivative instruments	'	'
Total derivative liabilities	'	410
Derivative not designated as hedging instrument [Member] | Equity contract (the Warrant) [Member] | Current liabilities - derivative instruments [Member]	'	'
Summary of fair values of outstanding derivative instruments	'	'
Total derivative liabilities	'	$8,564

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Summary of Effect of Derivative Instrument Not Designated as Hedging Instruments on Income (Detail) (Derivative not designated as hedging instrument [Member], Equity contract (the Warrant) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative not designated as hedging instrument [Member] | Equity contract (the Warrant) [Member]	'	'
Summary of effect of derivative instrument not designated as hedging instruments on income	'	'
Other loss, net	($11,652)	($2,346)

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedging Instruments [Abstract]	'
Derivative instrument liability balance	$20,217

Debt_Schedule_of_Companys_Debt

Debt - Schedule of Company's Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Principal amount	$322,634	$74,496
Unamortized discount	-19,955	-628
Net carrying value	302,679	73,868
Monoprice 2013 credit facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Principal amount	50,000	'
Unamortized discount	-288	'
Net carrying value	49,712	'
TaxACT 2013 credit facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Principal amount	71,384	'
Unamortized discount	'	'
Net carrying value	71,384	'
Convertible senior notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Principal amount	201,250	'
Unamortized discount	-19,667	'
Net carrying value	181,583	'
TaxACT 2012 credit facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Principal amount	'	74,496
Unamortized discount	'	-628
Net carrying value	'	$73,868

Debt_Monoprice_2013_Credit_Fac

Debt - Monoprice 2013 Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Agreement date	'	31-Jan-12
Credit facility	'	$105,000,000
Credit facility initially borrowed	322,634,000	74,496,000
Debt paid	10,000,000	25,500,000
Credit facility payment Terms	'	'A portion of any excess cash flows, as the term was defined in the credit agreement, were to be used to make a mandatory prepayment on the term loan. Amounts outstanding under the term loan could be prepaid without penalty.
Credit facility, interest rate description	'	'The Applicable Margin was dependent on the consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of TaxACT and ranged from 2.0% to 3.5% for borrowings tied to the Alternative Base Rate and 3.0% to 4.5% for borrowings tied to the LIBOR.
Term loan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility	'	95,000,000
Credit facility initially borrowed	'	95,000,000
Monoprice, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Agreement date	22-Nov-13	'
Credit facility	70,000,000	'
Final maturity date of credit facility	22-Nov-18	'
Credit facility initially borrowed	50,000,000	'
Debt paid	1,000,000	'
Credit facility payment Terms	'Monoprice has the right to permanently reduce, without premium or penalty, the entire credit facility at any time or portions of the credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not less than $1.0 million or any whole multiple of $1.0 million in excess thereof (for swingline loans, the aggregate principal amount is not less than $0.1 million and any whole multiple of $0.1 million in excess thereof).	'
Credit facility outstanding	50,000,000	'
Credit facility, interest rate description	'The interest rate on amounts borrowed under the credit facility is variable, based upon, at the election of Monoprice, either LIBOR plus a margin of between 2.75% and 3.25%, payable as of the end of each interest period, or a variable rate plus a margin of between 1.75% and 2.25%, payable quarterly in arrears. In each case, the applicable margin within the range depends upon Monopricebs ratio of leverage to EBITDA over the previous four quarters.	'
Monoprice, Inc. [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility, variable interest rate	1.75%	'
Monoprice, Inc. [Member] | Minimum [Member] | LIBOR Rate [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility, variable interest rate	2.75%	'
Monoprice, Inc. [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility, variable interest rate	2.25%	'
Monoprice, Inc. [Member] | Maximum [Member] | LIBOR Rate [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility, variable interest rate	3.25%	'
Monoprice, Inc. [Member] | Revolving credit [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility	30,000,000	'
Monoprice, Inc. [Member] | Letter of credit [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility	5,000,000	'
Monoprice, Inc. [Member] | Swingline loans [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility	5,000,000	'
Debt paid	100,000	'
Monoprice, Inc. [Member] | Term loan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility	$40,000,000	'

Debt_TaxAct_2013_Credit_Facili

Debt - TaxAct 2013 Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Revolving Debt [Member]

2012 credit facility [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

TaxACT [Member]

Revolving Debt [Member]

Revolving Debt [Member]

Revolving Debt [Member]

Revolving Debt [Member]

Swingline loans [Member]

Letter of credit [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

August 30, 2014 [Member]

August 30, 2015 [Member]

August 30, 2016 [Member]

LIBOR Rate [Member]

LIBOR Rate [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Agreement date

'

31-Jan-12

'

'

30-Aug-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility

'

$105,000,000

$10,000,000

'

'

'

$100,000,000

$90,000,000

$80,000,000

$70,000,000

$10,000,000

$5,000,000

'

'

'

'

Final maturity date of credit facility

'

'

'

'

30-Aug-18

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility borrowed

322,634,000

74,496,000

5,000,000

'

71,400,000

6,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Refinance credit facility

64,500,000

'

'

65,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal repayments

$10,000,000

$25,500,000

'

'

$3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility payment Terms

'

'A portion of any excess cash flows, as the term was defined in the credit agreement, were to be used to make a mandatory prepayment on the term loan. Amounts outstanding under the term loan could be prepaid without penalty.

'

'

'The Company has the right to permanently reduce, without premium or penalty, the entire credit facility at any time or portions of the credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not less than $3.0 million or any whole multiple of $1.0 million in excess thereof.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility, interest rate description

'

'The Applicable Margin was dependent on the consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of TaxACT and ranged from 2.0% to 3.5% for borrowings tied to the Alternative Base Rate and 3.0% to 4.5% for borrowings tied to the LIBOR.

'

'

'The interest rate on amounts borrowed under the credit facility is variable and payable as of the end of each interest period, based upon, at the election of TaxACT, either LIBOR plus a margin of between 1.75% and 2.5%, or a Base Rate plus a margin of between 0.75% and 1.5%, in each case with the applicable margin within the range dependent upon TaxACT's ratio of leverage to EBITDA over the previous four quarters.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility, variable interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.75%

1.75%

1.50%

2.50%

Debt_Analysis_of_Extinguishmen

Debt - Analysis of Extinguishment or Modification of Debt (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Extinguishment Of Debt Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fees paid to creditors in connection with the refinance, including arrangement fee, classified as extinguishment	$567
Deferred financing costs on extinguished debt	726
Debt discount on extinguished debt	300
Total	$1,593

Debt_Convertible_Senior_Notes_

Debt - Convertible Senior Notes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 15, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	D		2019 Notes [Member]	2019 Notes [Member]	2019 Notes [Member]
					Quoted prices in active markets using identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred debt issuance costs	$28,000	'	'	'	'
Deferred financing costs	400,000	'	'	'	'
Unamortized debt discount	19,955,000	628,000	'	'	'
Additional creditor-related fees incurred	100,000	'	'	'	'
Convertible senior notes, maturity date	'	'	'	1-Apr-19	'
Principal amount	322,634,000	74,496,000	201,250,000	'	'
Convertible senior notes, stated interest rate	'	'	4.25%	'	'
Convertible senior notes, additional issued against over-allotment, principal amount	'	'	26,250,000	'	'
Convertible Senior Notes, Frequency of Periodic Payments	'	'	'	'	'
Convertible senior notes, semi-annual due date first	'	'	'	'--04-01	'
Convertible senior notes, semi-annual due date second	'	'	'	'--10-01	'
Convertible Senior Notes, Date of first required payment	'	'	'	1-Oct-13	'
Convertible senior notes, proceeds from issuance, amount	194,818,000	'	'	194,800,000	'
Debt instrument, conversion terms	'On or before June 30, 2013, holders could not convert the Notes under any circumstances. After June 30, 2013 and prior to the close of business on September 28, 2018, holders may convert all or a portion of the Notes at their option, in multiples of $1,000 principal amount, under the following circumstances: b" during any fiscal quarter commencing July 1, 2013, if the last reported sale price of the Companybs common stock for at least 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; b" during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the bmeasurement periodb) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sales price of the Companybs common stock and the conversion rate on each trading day; b" if the Company calls any or all of the Notes for redemption; b" upon the occurrence of specified corporate events, including a merger or a sale of all or substantially all of the Companybs assets.	'	'	'	'
Company's common stock for at least trading days	20	'	'	'	'
Consecutive trading days	'30 days	'	'	'	'
Conversion price on each applicable trading day	130.00%	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, earliest date of conversion	31-Jul-13	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, latest date of conversion	28-Mar-19	'	'	'	'
Convertible senior notes, conversion ratio	'	'	'	0.0461723	'
Convertible senior notes, conversion rate	'	'	'	$21.66	'
Conversion premium	67,300,000	'	'	'	'
Convertible senior notes, repurchase price due to fundamental change as percentage of principal amount	'	'	'	100.00%	'
Debt instrument, start date of redemption period	'	'	'	6-Apr-16	'
Debt instrument, terms of redemption	'	'	'	'The Company may not redeem the Notes prior to April 6, 2016. After April 6, 2016, the Company may, at its option, redeem for cash all or part of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the Company undergoes a fundamental change (as described in the Indenture), holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or part of their Notes in principal amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. The fundamental change repurchase price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest.	'
Convertible senior notes, adjustments to additional paid in capital, debt discount	'	'	'	6.50%	'
Debt discount recorded in additional paid in capital	'	'	'	22,300,000	'
Debt issuance costs	714,000	'	'	6,400,000	'
Debt issuance cost incurred	'	'	'	5,700,000	'
Fair value of debt instrument	'	'	'	'	$298,800,000

Debt_Schedule_of_Total_Interes

Debt - Schedule of Total Interest Expense on Convertible Senior Notes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization of debt issuance costs (Non-cash)	$1,108	$820
Accretion of debt discount (Non-cash)	2,838	325
2019 Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Contractual interest expense (Cash)	6,795	'
Amortization of debt issuance costs (Non-cash)	684	'
Accretion of debt discount (Non-cash)	2,674	'
Total interest expense	$10,153	'
Effective interest rate of the liability component	7.32%	'

Debt_TaxAct_2012_Credit_Facili

Debt - TaxAct 2012 Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended					12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	1-May-12
			Alternate Base Rate [Member]	Alternate Base Rate [Member]	LIBOR Rate [Member]	LIBOR Rate [Member]	LIBOR Rate [Member]	Revolving Debt [Member]	Term loan [Member]	Long-term debt [Member]	Long-term debt [Member]
			Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]		Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit facility	'	$105,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	$10,000,000	$95,000,000	'	'
Agreement date	'	31-Jan-12	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit facility initially borrowed	322,634,000	74,496,000	'	'	'	'	'	5,000,000	95,000,000	'	'
Final maturity date of credit facility	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	31-Jan-17	'
Credit facility payment Terms	'	'A portion of any excess cash flows, as the term was defined in the credit agreement, were to be used to make a mandatory prepayment on the term loan. Amounts outstanding under the term loan could be prepaid without penalty.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repaid amounts of outstanding debt	10,000,000	25,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Refinance credit facility	64,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit facility, interest rate description	'	'The Applicable Margin was dependent on the consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of TaxACT and ranged from 2.0% to 3.5% for borrowings tied to the Alternative Base Rate and 3.0% to 4.5% for borrowings tied to the LIBOR.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit facility, variable interest rate	'	'	2.00%	3.50%	'	3.00%	4.50%	'	'	'	'
Amount outstanding under the term loan	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$37,500,000
LIBOR Rate portion	'	'	'	'	0.85%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Date of swap terminated for break-even	10-Sep-13	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Summary of Contractual Commitments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Operating lease commitments, 2014	$2,687
Operating lease commitments, 2015	2,413
Operating lease commitments, 2016	1,894
Operating lease commitments, 2017	1,933
Operating lease commitments, 2018	1,783
Operating lease commitments, Thereafter	2,546
Operating lease commitments, Total	13,256
Purchase commitments, 2014	646
Purchase commitments, 2015	437
Purchase commitments, 2016	92
Purchase commitments, 2017	62
Purchase commitments, 2018	'
Purchase commitments, Thereafter	'
Purchase commitments, Total	1,237
Debt commitments, 2014	8,000
Debt commitments, 2015	8,000
Debt commitments, 2016	8,000
Debt commitments, 2017	8,000
Debt commitments, 2018	89,384
Debt commitments, Thereafter	201,250
Debt commitments, Total	322,634
Interest on Notes, 2014	8,553
Interest on Notes, 2015	8,553
Interest on Notes, 2016	8,553
Interest on Notes, 2017	8,553
Interest on Notes, 2018	8,553
Interest on Notes, Thereafter	4,277
Interest on Notes, Total	47,042
Escrow for acquisition-related indemnifications, 2014	'
Escrow for acquisition-related indemnifications, 2015	735
Escrow for acquisition-related indemnifications, 2016	'
Escrow for acquisition-related indemnifications, 2017	'
Escrow for acquisition-related indemnifications, 2018	'
Escrow for acquisition-related indemnifications, Thereafter	'
Escrow for acquisition-related indemnifications, Total	735
Total contractual commitments, 2014	19,886
Total contractual commitments, 2015	20,138
Total contractual commitments, 2016	18,539
Total contractual commitments, 2017	18,548
Total contractual commitments, 2018	99,720
Total contractual commitments, Thereafter	208,073
Total contractual commitments	$384,904

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Rent expenses under operating leases	$2	$1.80	$1.80
Cash as collateral for property lease-related banking arrangements under standby letter of credit	$0.90	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Nov. 21, 2013

Nov. 21, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 21, 2013

Aug. 23, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

1996 Plan [Member]

1998 [Member]

Additional-paid-in capital [Member]

Additional-paid-in capital [Member]

Additional-paid-in capital [Member]

Additional-paid-in capital [Member]

Cambridge Information Group I LLC [Member]

Options and restricted stock units specified years [Member]

1996 Plan [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Awards vesting rights under 1996 Plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'The Company granted options and RSUs during 2013, 2012, and 2011 under the Companybs Restated 1996 Flexible Stock Incentive Plan. Options and RSUs generally vest over a period of three years, with one-third vesting one year from the date of grant and the remainder vesting ratably thereafter on a semi-annual basis, and expire seven years from the date of grant. There are a few exceptions to this vesting schedule, which provide for vesting at different rates or based on achievement of performance or market targets (the latter are known as market stock units or bMSUsb).

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of awards vested within one year from grant date

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.33%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options and RSUs remainder vesting ratably thereafter description

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Semi-annual basis

Typically scheduled vesting period of 1996 Plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

Vesting period of award from grant date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

Vesting rights expire year from the date of grant under 1996 Plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'7 years

Number of new shares issued to CIG

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

764,192

'

Purchase price of new shares issued to CIG

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$9.16

'

Warrant issued to purchase CIG

1,000,000

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

'

Warrant exercise price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.62

'

Warrant expiry date

'

'

'

23-Aug-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warrant extended expiry period

'

'

'

'August 23, 2017

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reclassification of equity award to liability award

'

'

'

'

$6,218,000

'

'

'

'

$6,218,000

'

'

'

'

Total expense of fair value for the warrant

'

'

'

'

6,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warrant exercise price

9,600,000

'

'

9,620,000

'

7,000,000

'

'

9,620,000

'

7,000,000

'

'

'

Derivative instrument of liability balance

'

'

'

'

8,974,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,200,000

'

'

Employees contribution percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Upper limit of common stock purchase under the ESPP

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock authorized for issuance under the ESPP

'

'

'

8,816,797

'

'

'

1,360,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock available for issuance for issuance under the ESPP

'

'

'

3,911,630

'

'

'

379,236

'

'

'

'

'

'

Description of common stock purchase price under ESPP

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'The purchase price is the lesser of 85% of the fair market value of common stock on the first day or on the last day of an offering period.

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repurchase of available common stock, authorized amount

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchase program, expiration period

'

'

'

'2015-02

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares repurchased under stock repurchase program

'

'

'

417,159

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchased value exclusive of purchase and administrative costs

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchase, average price per share

'

'

'

$23.95

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchase program remaining authorized repurchase amount

'

'

'

$40,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, Beginning balance	($10)	$32	($2)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, Other comprehensive income (loss)	11	-16	34
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, Ending balance	'	-10	32
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instrument, Beginning balance	-266	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instrument, Other comprehensive income (loss)	266	-266	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instrument, Ending balance	'	-266	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Beginning balance	-276	32	-2
Other comprehensive income (loss)	276	-308	34
Accumulated other comprehensive income, Ending balance	'	($276)	$32

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Options, RSUs and MSUs (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Number of shares authorized for awards	8,816,797
Options, RSUs, and MSUs outstanding	4,905,167
Options, RSUs, and MSUs expected to vest	4,534,038
Options, RSUs, and MSUs available for grant	3,911,630

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Incentive Plans Activity (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
		Shares purchased pursuant to ESPP [Member]	Restricted stock units (RSUs) [Member]	Market stock units (MSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options, Outstanding, Beginning balance	'	3,743,639	'	'
Options, Granted	200,000	912,237	'	'
Options, Forfeited	'	-26,767	'	'
Options, Expired	'	-593,550	'	'
Options, Exercised	'	-248,998	'	'
Options, Outstanding, Ending balance	'	3,786,561	'	'
Options, Exercisable, December 31, 2013	'	2,246,299	'	'
Options, Expected to vest after December 31, 2013	'	3,606,196	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Beginning balance	'	$12.29	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Granted	'	$16.85	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Forfeited	'	$14.35	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Expired	'	$24.17	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Exercised	'	$11.41	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Ending balance	'	$11.57	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Exercisable, December 31, 2013	'	$9.60	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, Expected to vest after December 31, 2013	'	$11.39	'	'
Intrinsic value, Outstanding	'	$66,597	'	'
Intrinsic value, Exercisable, December 31, 2013	'	43,928	'	'
Intrinsic value, Expected to vest after December 31, 2013	'	64,098	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years), Outstanding	'	'4 years 8 months 12 days	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years), Exercisable, December 31, 2013	'	'4 years	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years), Expected to vest after December 31, 2013	'	'4 years 7 months 6 days	'	'
Stock units, Outstanding, Beginning balance	'	'	825,288	80,250
Stock units, Granted	'	'	775,626	'
Stock units, Forfeited	'	'	-91,070	'
Stock units, Vested	'	'	-431,363	-40,125
Stock units, Outstanding, Ending balance	'	'	1,078,481	40,125
Stock units, Expected to vest after December 31, 2013	'	'	889,928	37,914
Weighted average grant date fair value, Outstanding, Beginning balance	'	'	$12.38	$9.28
Weighted average grant date fair value, Granted	'	'	$18.86	'
Weighted average grant date fair value, Forfeited	'	'	$13.99	'
Weighted average grant date fair value, Vested	'	'	$11.97	$9.28
Weighted average grant date fair value, Outstanding, Ending balance	'	'	$17.07	$9.28
Weighted average grant date fair value, Expected to vest after December 31, 2013	'	'	$17.07	$9.28
Intrinsic value, Outstanding	'	'	31,449	1,170
Intrinsic value, Expected to vest after December 31, 2013	'	'	$25,950	$1,106
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years), Outstanding	'	'	'1 year 3 months 18 days	'4 months 24 days
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years), Expected to vest after December 31, 2013	'	'	'1 year 1 month 6 days	'4 months 24 days

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Supplemental Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted average grant date fair value per share or unit granted	$5.05	$3.84	$2.80
Total intrinsic value of options exercised or units vested	$2,626	$3,886	$2,474
Restricted stock units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted average grant date fair value per share or unit granted	$18.86	$13.19	$8.86
Total intrinsic value of options exercised or units vested	7,986	4,663	5,945
Total fair value of units vested	5,163	3,049	6,293
Market stock units (MSUs) [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted average grant date fair value per share or unit granted	'	'	$9.28
Total intrinsic value of options exercised or units vested	679	511	'
Total fair value of units vested	$248	$248	'

StockBased_Compensation_StockB

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	$11,527,000	$13,223,000	$7,688,000
Excluded and capitalized as part of internal-use software	115,000	121,000	206,000
Services cost of revenue [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	662,000	558,000	286,000
Engineering and technology [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	1,351,000	1,180,000	821,000
Sales and marketing [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	2,335,000	1,909,000	1,002,000
General and administrative [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	7,179,000	9,576,000	5,579,000
Discontinued operations [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	'	'	($159,000)

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	31-May-12	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
					Stock Option [Member]	Stock Option [Member]	Warrant [Member]	Awards vested [Member]	Awards vested [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares options granted	200,000	'	'	'	190,000	'	'	'	'
Performance base stock option, compensation expense recognized	'	$11,527,000	$13,223,000	$7,688,000	'	$0	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,300,000	500,000	900,000
Expenses related to share granted to non-employee	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value of Warrant issued	'	'	'	$1,900,000	'	'	'	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_1

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Option Grants and Warrant (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Option Grants [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected life	'3 years 2 months 12 days	'3 years 3 months 18 days	'3 years
Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	'	0.26%	'
Expected dividend yield	'	0.00%	'
Market Stock Unit Grants [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	'	'	0.15%
Expected dividend yield	'	'	0.00%
Expected volatility	'	'	37.40%
Closing price	'	'	8.74
Expected life	'	'	'1 year
Market Stock Unit Grants [Member] | iShares Russell 2000 Index [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected dividend yield	'	'	1.08%
Expected volatility	'	'	20.30%
Closing price	'	'	82.29
Warrant [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	'	0.95%	0.46%
Expected dividend yield	'	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	'	46.00%	39.00%
Expected life	'	'5 years 7 months 6 days	'2 years
Minimum [Member] | Stock Option Grants [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	0.25%	0.26%	0.25%
Expected volatility	40.00%	40.00%	40.00%
Minimum [Member] | Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected volatility	'	38.00%	'
Expected life	'	'1 year 7 months 6 days	'
Maximum [Member] | Stock Option Grants [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	1.06%	1.57%	1.58%
Expected volatility	46.00%	48.00%	50.00%
Maximum [Member] | Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected volatility	'	41.00%	'
Expected life	'	'2 years 2 months 12 days	'

StockBased_Compensation_Unreco

Stock-Based Compensation - Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$7,976
Weighted average period to unrecognized stock based compensation expense	'1 year 3 months 18 days
Shares purchased pursuant to ESPP [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	2,192
Weighted average period to unrecognized stock based compensation expense	'1 year 3 months 18 days
Restricted stock units (RSUs) [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	5,756
Weighted average period to unrecognized stock based compensation expense	'1 year 3 months 18 days
Market stock units (MSUs) [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$28
Weighted average period to unrecognized stock based compensation expense	'4 months 24 days

Segment_Information_Informatio

Segment Information - Information on Reportable Segments for Reconciliation to Consolidated Net Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues	'	'	'
Total revenues	$573,980	$406,919	$228,813
Operating income:	'	'	'
Total operating income	74,449	44,205	21,479
Other loss, net	-29,623	-6,677	-1,246
Income tax benefit (expense)	-20,427	-15,002	11,288
Income from continuing operations	24,399	22,526	31,521
Net income	24,399	22,526	21,594
Corporate-level activity [Member]	'	'	'
Operating income:	'	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	-9,927
Operating Segments [Member] | Search [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'
Total revenues	428,464	344,814	228,813
Operating income:	'	'	'
Total operating income	82,504	62,185	46,206
Operating Segments [Member] | Tax Preparation [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'
Total revenues	91,213	62,105	'
Operating income:	'	'	'
Total operating income	40,599	30,052	'
Operating Segments [Member] | E-Commerce [Member]	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'
Total revenues	54,303	'	'
Operating income:	'	'	'
Total operating income	4,967	'	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Corporate-level activity [Member]	'	'	'
Operating income:	'	'	'
Total operating income	($53,621)	($48,032)	($24,727)

Other_Loss_Net_Schedule_of_Oth

Other Loss, Net - Schedule of Other Loss Net (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'
Interest income	($300)	($131)	($369)
Interest expense (see Note 8)	9,463	3,522	'
Amortization of debt issuance costs (see Note 8)	1,108	820	'
Accretion of debt discounts (see Note 8)	2,838	325	'
Loss on debt extinguishment and modification expense	1,593	'	'
Loss on derivative instrument (see Note 7)	11,652	2,346	'
Impairment of equity investment in privately-held company	3,711	'	'
Increase (decrease) in fair value of earn-out contingent liability	-300	'	3,000
Gain on contingency resolution	'	'	-1,500
Other	-142	-205	115
Other loss, net	$29,623	$6,677	$1,246

Other_Loss_Net_Additional_Info

Other Loss, Net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]	'	'
Written down value of carrying value of investment	$3,711	'
Increase in fair value of earn-out contingent liability	-300	3,000
Gain on contingency resolution	'	$1,500

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Expens

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current:	'	'	'
U.S. federal	$30,452	$23,303	$7,416
State	642	437	166
Total current expense	31,094	23,740	7,582
Deferred:	'	'	'
U.S. federal	-10,430	-8,234	-18,654
State	-237	-504	-216
Total deferred benefit	-10,667	-8,738	-18,870
Income tax expense (benefit), net	$20,427	$15,002	($11,288)

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Expens1

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations Differed from Amount Computed by Applying Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Income Tax Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Income tax expense at federal statutory rate of 35%	$15,689	$13,135	$7,082
Non-deductible compensation	221	1,621	675
Deductible domestic production costs	-949	-804	'
Non-deductible loss on derivative instrument (the Warrant, see Note 7)	4,078	821	'
Change in liabilities for uncertain tax positions	-201	-75	79
Change in valuation allowance	1,108	'	-19,272
Other	481	304	148
Income tax expense (benefit), net	$20,427	$15,002	($11,288)

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Expens2

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations Differed from Amount Computed by Applying Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Income Tax Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'	'
U S effective income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current:	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	$34,167	$26,089	'
Accrued compensation	1,605	1,199	'
Deferred revenue	2,385	1,105	'
Inventory	800	'	'
Other, net	1,903	1,082	'
Total current deferred tax assets	40,860	29,475	'
Non-current:	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	190,974	227,079	'
Tax credit carryforwards	9,259	7,719	'
Depreciation and amortization	7,696	10,310	'
Stock-based compensation	5,318	5,381	'
Other, net	4,204	2,214	'
Total non-current deferred tax assets	217,451	252,703	'
Total gross deferred tax assets	258,311	282,178	'
Valuation allowance	-235,730	-262,353	-283,000
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	22,581	19,825	'
Current:	'	'	'
Other, net	-253	'	'
Total current deferred tax liabilities	-253	'	'
Non-current:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	-68,888	-46,313	'
Discount on Notes	-6,977	'	'
Other, net	-5	-770	'
Total non-current deferred tax liabilities	-75,870	-47,083	'
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	-76,123	-47,083	'
Net deferred tax liabilities	($53,542)	($27,258)	'

Income_Taxes_Changes_in_Valuat

Income Taxes - Changes in Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Tax Assets Net Classification [Abstract]	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	$262,353	$283,000
Net changes to deferred tax assets, subject to a valuation allowance	-26,623	-20,647
Balance at end of year	$235,730	$262,353

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance, increase	$1,100,000	'
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance, decrease	27,700,000	20,600,000
Federal net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes	643,300,000	'
Federal net operating loss carryforward expiration period	'2020	'2031
Unrecognized tax benefits impacting effective tax rate	600,000	1,200,000
Deferred tax asset subject to valuation allowance	17,900,000	17,900,000
Significant adjustments	0	'
Equity-based deferred tax assets [Member]	'	'
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	233,100,000	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'	'
Reversal of uncertain tax position	$100,000	$100,000

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit Balances (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Excluding Amounts Pertaining To Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, Beginning Balance	$19,088	$18,267
Gross increases for tax positions of prior years	219	1,208
Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years	-101	-216
Settlements	-562	'
Lapse of statute of limitations	-107	-171
Unrecognized tax benefits, Ending Balance	$18,537	$19,088

Net_Income_Per_Share_Summary_o

Net Income Per Share - Summary of Dilutive Effect for Awards with Exercise Price Less Than Average Stock Price (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	41,201	40,279	37,954
Dilutive potential common shares	2,279	1,393	667
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	43,480	41,672	38,621
Antidilutive shares excluded	381	1,172	3,803

Net_Income_Per_Share_Additiona

Net Income Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 21, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Amount of share issued due to exercising warrant	1