How Twitter’s Data Licensing Business Fared in 4Q17

In recent times, Twitter (TWTR) executives have talked favorably about the company’s data licensing business, saying it was shaping up to be a key driver of growth and profitability. In 4Q17, Twitter’s revenues from data licensing and other non-advertising sources (known as its DES business) grew 10% YoY (year-over-year) to $87 million, building on its growth of 22% during the previous quarter. Notably, Twitter was able to ink a significant number of new data licensing deals with enterprises during 4Q17, and this led to the continued growth in DES business in the quarter.