The landscape of social media has evolved dramatically over the years, with countless platforms coming and going. Before the rise of Facebook and other major social media platforms, there were several unconventional social media sites that left their mark on the digital world. Let’s take a closer look at 20 of these platforms.
MySpace
MySpace was one of the first popular social media sites. It was launched in 2003 by Tom Anderson and Chris DeWolfe. MySpace allowed users to create personalized profiles with music, videos, and custom HTML codes. The site was highly popular among musicians and artists, but its popularity waned after the rise of Facebook. MySpace was acquired by Specific Media and Justin Timberlake in 2011, but its user base dwindled, and it has since transformed into a music-focused site.
Friendster
Friendster was launched in 2002 by Jonathan Abrams, and is often regarded as the pioneer of social networking. It allowed users to create profiles, connect with friends, and share content. Friendster gained popularity in Asia but faced technical issues and tough competition from other platforms. It eventually lost its user base and pivoted to a gaming site.
Bebo
Bebo was a social media site that focused on user-generated content and had features such as blogs, quizzes, and games. It was launched in 2005 by Michael Birch and Xochi Birch. Bebo gained popularity in the UK and Ireland, but it faced declining user engagement and was eventually acquired by AOL, then sold to Criterion Capital Partners, and later shut down.
Orkut
Orkut gained popularity in Brazil and India. It was launched in 2004 by Orkut Büyükkökten, It allowed users to create profiles, join communities, and share content. However, it faced stiff competition from other platforms and eventually shut down in 2014.
Hi5
Hi5 was created by Ramu Yalamanchi in 2004. It was a social networking site that focused on meeting new people and connecting with friends. It gained popularity in Latin America and Asia, but it faced declining user engagement and shifted its focus to social gaming.
Xanga
Xanga was an early blogging and social networking site. It allowed users to create blogs, share content, and connect with other users. Xanga gained popularity among teenagers and young adults, but it faced declining user engagement and competition from other platforms. It was launched in 1999 by John Hiler.
LiveJournal
LiveJournal was an early blogging and social networking site that allowed users to create blogs and join communities. LiveJournal gained popularity among bloggers and writers, but it faced declining user engagement and was eventually sold to a Russian media company. It was launched by Brad Fitzpatrick and operated between 1999 and 2017.
Ning
Launched in 2005 by Marc Andreessen and Gina Bianchini, Ning was a social networking site that allowed users to create their own social networks around specific interests or topics. Ning gained popularity among niche communities, but it faced challenges in monetization and shifted its focus to a paid model.
Tagged
Tagged was very popular among young generation of its time. It was created by Greg Tseng and Johann Schleier-Smith, and launched in 2004. Tagged was a social networking site that focused on meeting new people and playing games. it faced controversy over privacy issues and spamming practices.
Gaia Online
Gaia Online began operations in 2003, and was created by Derek Liu and Joshua Gainsbrugh, Gaia Online was an online community and social networking site that focused on anime, gaming, and role-playing. It gained popularity among anime and gaming enthusiasts, allowing users to create avatars, join forums, and participate in virtual events. It had a loyal user base, but faced challenges in monetization and competition from other platforms.
BlackPlanet
Launched in 1999 by Omar Wasow, BlackPlanet was a social networking site that focused on connecting African American communities. It allowed users to create profiles, join groups, and share content. BlackPlanet gained popularity among African American users, but its user base declined over the years due to changing dynamics in social media.
AsianAvenue
AsianAvenue was an early social networking site that focused on connecting Asian communities. It allowed users to create profiles, join forums, and share content. AsianAvenue gained popularity among Asian American users. It also faced declining user engagement and eventually shut down. It was Launched in 1997 by Benjamin Sun.
Fotolog
Fotolog was a photo-blogging social networking site that allowed users to share and comment on each other’s photos. Fotolog gained popularity among photography enthusiasts, but it faced challenges in monetization and competition from other photo-sharing platforms. It was launched in 2002 by Scott Heiferman and Adam Seifer.
Multiply
Multiply was focused on private photo sharing. It was a social networking site that allowed users to create blogs, albums, and share updates. Multiply gained popularity among users who wanted a more intimate and private social networking experience, but it eventually shut down in 2013.
Vox
Vox was another social networking and blogging platform that focused on simplicity and privacy. It allowed users to create private or public blogs, share content, and connect with friends and family. Vox gained popularity among users who wanted a more closed and private social networking experience. It was Launched in 2006 by Six Apart, and shut down in 2010.
Plurk
Plurk used a unique timeline-based interface and allowed users to post short messages, share content, and connect with friends. Plurk gained popularity in some Asian countries, but it faced challenges in monetization and competition from other microblogging platforms.
Ello
Launched in 2014 by Paul Budnitz and Todd Berger, Ello was a social networking platform that positioned itself as an ad-free and privacy-focused alternative to other social media sites. It gained attention for its minimalist design and privacy features.
Yik Yak
Yik Yak was a location-based social media platform that allowed users to post anonymous messages and interact with other users within a certain radius. It gained popularity among college students, but faced controversies related to cyberbullying and harassment, leading to its eventual shutdown in 2017. It was created in 2013 by Tyler Droll and Brooks Buffington,
Peach
Peach was created in 2016 by Dom Hofmann as a messaging and social networking app with unique interface and quirky features. It allowed users to share updates, photos, and draw on their posts. Peach gained a small but dedicated user base, but its growth stalled, and the app was eventually shut down in 2017.
Mastodon
Mastodon began operations long after other mainstream social media sites – it was launched in 2016 by Eugen Rochko, Mastodon was an open-source social media platform that focused on decentralized and federated networks. It allowed users to create their own instances and connect with users from other instances. Mastodon gained popularity among privacy-conscious users and those looking for an alternative to mainstream social media platforms. It gained attention for its commitment to user privacy and data ownership, but its user base remained relatively small compared to larger social media platforms.
The history of social media is marked by innovation, competition, and challenges. Many social media platforms have faced issues related to monetization, privacy, user engagement, and competition from other platforms. Some platforms have thrived and become household names, while others have faded into obscurity or shut down altogether.
The founders of these social media platforms have played a crucial role in shaping the industry. They have taken risks, developed new technologies, and created communities that have connected people from all over the world. Some founders have become well-known figures in the tech industry, while others have remained relatively unknown.
The way social media platforms operate has also evolved over time. From basic profile creation and messaging features, social media has expanded to include multimedia sharing, live streaming, e-commerce, and virtual reality experiences. The algorithms that govern content distribution and user engagement have become increasingly complex, shaping the content that users see on their feeds and timelines.