Exchanges Exchanges and Other Revenue This element represents revenue derived from both up-front matching fees and closing fees paid by Network Lenders who close a transaction with the consumer. LendingTree Loans This element represents costs associated with loan originations and commission paid. Real Estate Loans Cost Exchanges This element represents costs related to exchanges and other services. Exchanges and Other Cost Loss on impaired loans not sold Loss on Impaired Loans Not Sold This element represent loss on loans impaired but still not sold. Accounts payable and other current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities This element represent increase or decrease in accounts payable and other current liabilities Transfers to IAC Transfer to Former Parent Company This element represent transfers made by company to IAC (Parent Company ). Proceeds from Spin Off Capital Contributions from Former Parent Company Spin-off capital contributions from IAC This element represent proceeds from spin off capital contributions from parent company. Document and Entity Information Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes Stock Issue During Period of Stock Option and Restricted Stock Net Value of Units This element represent Issuance of common stock values upon exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units net of withholding taxes. Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes (in shares) Stock Issue During Period of Stock Option and Restricted Stock Net Shares of Units This element represent Issuance of common stock shares upon exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units net of withholding taxes. Spin-off contribution from IAC, net of invested capital and extinguishment of intercompany amounts This element represent spin-off contribution from parent in the form of net of invested capital and extinguishment of intercompany amounts. Spin-off Contribution from Former Parent Company Issuance of common stock upon spin off (in shares) Stockholders Equity Note Spin-off Transaction, Shares Number of new stock issued during the period as a result of a spin-off transaction (a regular or reverse spin-off) which is based on the recorded amounts. Net Transfer to Former Parent Company Net transfers to IAC (principally tax adjustments related to equity awards) This element represent net transfers made by company to IAC (Parent Company). Net Changes Payables to Former Parent Company Exchange of preferred stock issued by a subsidiary to common stock issued by the parent This element represent net changes in payables to parent company and subsidiaries. Exchange of preferred stock issued by a subsidiary to common stock issued by the parent This element represents the value of common stock issued by a parent company in exchange for preferred stock issued by a subsidiary. Common Stock Issued in Exchange of Preferred Stock Invested Capital This element represent invested capital member. Payables to IAC and Subsidiaries This element represent payables to parent and subsidiary. ORIGINATION AND SALE OF LOANS, LOANS HELD FOR SALE AND LOAN LOSS OBLIGATIONS ORIGINATION AND SALE OF LOANS, LOANS HELD FOR SALE AND LOAN LOSS OBLIGATIONS Origination and Sale of Loans Loans Held for Sale and Loan Loss Obligations Disclosure [Text Block] Description and amounts of origination and sale of loans, loans held for sale and loan loss obligations. Disclosure may include the description of the facts and circumstances leading to the sale of loan, the carrying value of the loans held for sale, the gain or loss recognized in the income statement and the income statement caption that includes that gain or loss. COMMITMENTS EARNINGS PER SHARE AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EARNINGS PER SHARE AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION This element may be used to describe entire disclosure for earnings per share and compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation of the reporting entity. Earnings Per Share and Compensation Related Costs Share-based Payments [Text Block] CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Statement [Table] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Statement Statement [Line Items] ASSETS: Assets [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Restricted cash and cash equivalents Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $118 and $131, respectively Loans Receivable Held-for-sale, Amount Loans held for sale ($72,697 and $115,908 measured at fair value, respectively) Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current Current assets of discontinued operations Assets, Current Total current assets Total current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net Goodwill Goodwill Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible assets, net Other Assets, Noncurrent Other non-current assets Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent Non-current assets of discontinued operations Assets Total assets Prepaid and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current LIABILITIES: Liabilities [Abstract] Line of Credit, Current Warehouse lines of credit Accounts Payable, Trade, Current Accounts payable, trade Deferred Revenue, Current Deferred revenue Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current Deferred income taxes Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current Current liabilities of discontinued operations Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent Income taxes payable Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations Liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock $.01 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued or outstanding Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated deficit Treasury stock 1,123,261 shares Treasury Stock, Value Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total shareholders' equity Balance Balance Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Accounts receivable, allowance (in dollars) Loans Held-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure Loans held for sale, fair value (in dollars) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, authorized shares Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred stock, issued shares Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Preferred stock, outstanding shares Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, authorized shares Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, issued shares Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, outstanding shares Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares Revenue Revenues [Abstract] Other Real Estate Revenue Real Estate Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Consumer LendingTree Loans Cost of revenue Cost of Revenue [Abstract] Cost of Real Estate Revenue Real Estate Gross Profit Gross margin Operating expenses Operating Expenses [Abstract] Selling and Marketing Expense Selling and marketing expense General and Administrative Expense General and administrative expense Research and Development Expense Product development Litigation Settlement, Expense Litigation settlements and contingencies Restructuring Charges. Restructuring expense Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization of intangibles Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation Depreciation Asset Impairment Charges Asset impairments Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses Operating Income (Loss) Operating loss Other income (expense) Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Total other expense, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total other expense, net Investment Income, Interest Interest income Interest Expense Interest expense Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income (expense) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Loss before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax benefit (provision) Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 Net loss available to common shareholders Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Weighted average diluted shares outstanding (in shares) Net income (loss) per share available to common shareholders EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted (in dollars per share) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net (loss) income Income (Loss) from Operations before Extraordinary Items, Per Basic and Diluted Share [Abstract] Net loss per share from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Basic (in dollars per share) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Diluted (in dollars per share) Revenues Revenue Cost of Revenue. Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities attributable to continuing operations: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash used in operating activities attributable to continuing operations: Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Loss on disposal of fixed assets Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible impairment Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use Property and equipment impairment Share-based Compensation Non-cash compensation expense Noncash Merger Related Costs Non-cash restructuring expense Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Gain (Loss) on Sale of Loans and Leases Gain on origination and sale of loans Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Recoveries of Bad Debts Bad debt expense Employee Benefits and Share-based Compensation Non-cash compensation expense Non-cash compensation expense Goodwill, Impairment Loss Goodwill impairment Other Noncash Expense Non-cash interest expense Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Real Estate (Gain) loss on sale of real estate acquired in satisfaction of loans Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in current assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Other Loans Origination of loans Payments of Loan Costs Payments to investors for loan repurchases and early payoff obligations Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Income Taxes Payable Income taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Other, net Proceeds from Sale of Loans Held-for-sale Proceeds from sales of loans Proceeds from Loans Principal payments received on loans Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid and other current assets Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in operating activities attributable to continuing operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities attributable to continuing operations: Acquisitions Cash Acquired from Acquisition Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Capital expenditures Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Asset Contingent acquisition consideration Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities attributable to continuing operations: Proceeds from Lines of Credit Borrowing under warehouse lines of credit Repayments of Lines of Credit Repayments of warehouse lines of credit Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Issuance of common stock, net of withholding taxes Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Purchase of treasury stock Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash (Increase) decrease in restricted cash Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in financing activities attributable to continuing operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Proceeds from Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Principal payments on long-term obligations Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash used in operating activities attributable to discontinued operations Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash used in investing activities attributable to discontinued operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations Total cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Discontinued Operations Net cash provided by financing activities attributable to discontinued operations CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Amendment Description Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Shares, Issued Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Comprehensive loss: Comprehensive Loss. Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Value Non-cash compensation Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease) Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Issuance of common stock Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Issuance of common stock (in shares) Stockholders' Equity Note, Spinoff Transaction Issuance of common stock upon spin off Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Stock Issued, Issuance Costs Restricted stock units payable in cash Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Issuance of restricted stock Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Issuance of restricted stock (in shares) Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Purchase of treasury stock Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Purchase of treasury stock (in shares) Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated Deficit Treasury Stock Comprehensive Loss CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY ORGANIZATION Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] ORGANIZATION SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES WAREHOUSE LINES OF CREDIT Debt Disclosure [Text Block] WAREHOUSE LINES OF CREDIT SEGMENT INFORMATION Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] SEGMENT INFORMATION Earnings Per Share [Text Block] EARNINGS PER SHARE FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] INCOME TAXES SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Commitments Disclosure [Text Block] COMMITMENTS CONTINGENCIES Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block] CONTINGENCIES RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS BENEFIT PLANS BENEFIT PLANS Postemployment Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] RESTRUCTURING EXPENSE Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] RESTRUCTURING EXPENSE QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS SUBSEQUENT EVENTS SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Subsequent Events [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Net loss from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent Less (income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Income (loss) from discontinued operations Net loss Net income (loss) available to common shareholders Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Common stock $.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 12,165,992 and 11,893,468 shares, respectively, and outstanding 11,042,731 and 10,770,207 shares, respectively Common Stock, Value, Outstanding Total shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total cash used in continuing operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax Income (loss) from operations of discontinued operations, net of tax This extension captures Income (loss) from operations of discontinued operations, net of tax. Income Loss from Discontinued Operations Net of Applicable Taxes