SEARCH123 ACQUIRES SIMPLI.COM FROM UNITED ONLINE

Patent-Pending Technology Promises to Improve Pay-Per-Click Search

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (June 5, 2002) - Search123.com Inc., a growing performance-based search engine technology company, and United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNTD), a leading provider of value-priced Internet access through its NetZero and Juno Internet services, today announced that Search123 has acquired Simpli.com, from NetZero, a United Online subsidiary. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Simpli.com is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Search123.

The addition of the Simpli.com technology to Search123's existing infrastructure will provide a layer of sophistication to how user queries are processed and matched in real time with the most appropriate advertiser. The technology will benefit merchant advertisers in the paid search engine segment by delivering higher quality search results and enhanced targeting capabilities.

Simpli's technology applies a scientific understanding of language, human cognition, and Web behavior, to improve interaction with end-users. Simpli employs a set of proprietary knowledge databases and algorithms to implement a linguistic architecture and network technology that translates search terms into concepts and user intention, improving how advertisements are targeted to consumers. When combined with Search123's proprietary pay-per-click search model, this technology is expected to give users a more relevant search experience while offering more precise targeting capabilities for marketers.

"The outstanding team at Simpli has helped United Online develop targeted marketing capabilities that are among the most sophisticated on the Internet," said Jon O. Fetveit, EVP and chief strategy officer. "Simpli's technology should be a great competitive asset for Search123."

"Simpli's technology will improve the quality of Search123's search experience and enhance the overall effectiveness of pay-per-click search as a direct marketing tool," said James Beriker, CEO, Search123. "Pay-per-click search engine technology must evolve to meet the needs of advertisers and capture the full power of the Internet as an advertising medium. The acquisition of Simpli gives Search123 access to technology - and a technology team - to lead that necessary evolution."

As part of the deal between United Online and Search123, both NetZero and Juno will be able to continue using the Simpli technology for their own targeted advertising, on a royalty-free basis in perpetuity.

In addition, as a result of the acquisition, Carl Dunham has been named VP of Technology for Search123. Dunham previously served as managing director at Simpli.com, where he was responsible for research and development on targeted marketing products for United Online's NetZero unit.

About Search123

Launched in October 2000 and based in Westlake Village, Calif., Search123 (www.search123.com) is a performance-based, pay-per-click search engine in which advertisers bid for priority placement on search result pages and pay only when users click on a listing. By creating revenue-sharing relationships with its distribution partners, Search123 drives highly targeted consumer traffic to its merchant advertisers. Search123 is committed to delivering results to its advertisers and distribution partners, and to using technology to improve the performance and scalability of the paid search listings segment of the online marketing industry.