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SixDegrees.com
Six Degrees was the first true social media platform. It made its debut in 1997. Setting the foundation for modern day social networks, users could create profiles, send private messages and more. -
Hot or Not?
A rating site that allowed users to upload pictures of themselves and be rated on a scale 1-10. Hot or Not then invented the most foundational concept of online speed-dating through the Meet Me feature(opens in a new tab), a prototype for Tinder over a decade ahead of its time. -
Friendster
Pre Facebook and MySpace, Friendster allowed users to connect with friends and share content. Other user friendly platforms took the stage and Friendster fell to the back. Relaunching in 2011 as a gaming platform -
MySpace
Launched in 2003, MySpace was the first social network with a global audience. It had a significant influence on technology, pop culture and music. MySpace was known for being a platform for musicians and bands to connect with fans and share their music. -
Facebook
Facebook is a massive social networking service with billions of users globally. It allows users to create profiles, connect with friends and family, join groups, and share various forms of content. Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates. Initially membership was strictly for Harvard students only. First Facebook was a database composed of student information, such as name, dorm-specific landline numbers, and student headshots -
YouTube
YouTube is an online video sharing platform owned by Google. YouTube has many different categories such as music videos, vlogs, news, movie trailers and more. YouTube has contributed to influencing popular culture, internet trends, and creating multimillionaire celebrities. -
Twitter
One of the worlds largest social media platforms, Twitter allows users to connect its users and share their thoughts with their followers and others using hashtags. The original "letting your intrusive thoughts win" It can be a source of news, entertainment and a marketing tool for businesses. Twitter is great to listen, connect, share and engage with others around the world, in real time, about almost any topic imaginable. -
LinkedIn
The social media platform for business professionals. LinkedIn was designed for professional networking. It connects professionals with potential employers, colleagues, allowing users to build and maintain professional connections. LinkedIn also hosts webinars, virtual meetups, and industry events for professional development. -
The Hashtag Arrives
Used to categorize and create context, the hashtag allowed users to find and engage with posts related to a specific topic or trend, and it also helps social media platforms organize and display content in a more structured way. -
Tumblr
The original microblog. Tumblr allows users to create short-form blog posts and share a wide range of content, including text, photos, videos, audio, and live streams. Tumblr was extremely popular amongst artists, musicians and other creatives. Users can follow other blogs, repost/ reblog content with their own comments, and engage in discussions through the reposts. -
FourSquare
Foursquare is a location-based social networking platform that allows users to "check in" at locations, share their experiences, and discover new places through their social network. It also connects users with friends who have also checked in at the same locations or nearby venues. -
Pinterest
While it is considered a social media platform, Pinterest emphasizes visual content through images and videos. Many users use Pinterest as a search engine for finding inspiration, recipes, and ideas