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Six Degrees
SixDegrees.com was one of the first social media sites created. It allowed users to create profiles, list friends, and connect with others, building a network based on the concept of "six degrees of separation". -
Hot or Not
AmIHotorNot.com had users upload photos of themselves for others to rate their attractiveness. Currently, it has been rebranded as a dating app called Chat Date. -
Friendster
One of the first dating sites to be created. Its goal was to help set up people with friends in common. Besides creating a profile, users could update their status and change their mood. -
MySpace
MySpace was similar to Friendster with status updates, but much more personalized. Users could add music, upload videos, and update friend lists. -
LinkedIn
Social media made specifically for employers and employees to network and foster professional relationships. -
Facebook
Originally called "thefacebook," this website was inspired by AmIHotorNot.com and only available to Harvard students. -
YouTube
A video-sharing platform was created for non tech-savvy users to publish, upload, and view videos through standard web browsers. -
Reddit
A forum social media platform was created where users can post links, videos, text posts, and images to be upvoted and downvoted by other users. -
Facebook
Gaining popularity, it became available to everyone 13 years of age or older. -
Twitter
Twitter is created, where users can post short text updates. -
YouTube Partnership Program
This partnership allows users to begin to make a living from producing social media content. They promote, collaborate, and advertise within their content. -
Tumblr
Tumblr is created by a teenager at the time. It promotes micro-blogging. Users can post small forms of content. -
Foursquare
Using geolocating technology, Foursquare allows users to "check in" and share recommendations for a user-based city guide. -
Twitch
Twitch is created, which is a video game live-streaming site. Fans can watch other users play games and chat to them in real time. -
Grindr
An online dating app intended for the LGBTQ community is created using geolocation technology to match people nearby. It is the first dating social media of its time to embrace the location feature. Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and other dating apps are inspired by Grindr. -
Twitter's Hashtag
Hashtags helped promote and organize tweets. Twitter added hyperlink capabilities to the hashtag, which allowed others to stay informed and connected. -
Instagram
A photo-sharing app initially called Burbn, but renamed to Instagram. It started as a mobile check-in app. -
Pinterest
Pinterest is created and allows users to share and "pin" posts. It became especially popular for recipes, outfit, and hobby inspirations. -
Snapchat
Snapchat is created and rivals the likes of Instagram and Facebook. However, Snapchat allows users to post content that disappears after 24 hours. It also mainstreams posting filtered selfies. -
Patreon
This app continues to grow the idea of social media monetization. "Patrons," or fans, can subscribe to exclusive creator content and support them financially. -
Facebook Acquires Instagram
Facebook buys Instagram for $1 billion. Mark Zuckerburg, the creator of Facebook, saw how quickly Instagram was growing and jumped on the opportunity to be a part of and continue to grow the platform. -
Vine
Vine launches as a short form video-sharing app. Videos can only be 6 seconds long and loop repeatedly. Vine creates a distinct type of humor that is still present in Generation Z culture. Twitter buys Vine just 4 months after its launh, for $30 million. -
Slack
A workplace and collaboration tool is created to communicate during the workday. -
Instagram Launches Stories
To compete with other large social media platforms, Instagram allows users to post photos and videos that disappear within 24 hours. -
Social Media Fake News
As social media is more popular, it becomes incredibly influential as people use it in their daily lives. Users take advantage of this and spread fake news, often controversial in spirit. This is still present in 2025, and destroys the community aspect that social media used to create. -
Vine Disappears
Struggling to compete with Snapchat and Instagram also creating short form videos, Twitter decides to shut down Vine. -
TikTok
Another video-format social media site becomes popular. Originally known for creators dancing to well-known music, but has expanded into other avenues of content. Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook have more competition. -
Facebook Data Privacy Trial
It is revealed that Facebook allowed user data to be used without user consent. This is a catalyst for social media data privacy concerns that still exist in 2025. -
Social Media Commerce
E-commerce is capitalized by social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook. While people no longer shop in stores as frequently due to Covid-19, they are able to purchase items from the social media they are on. This became especially popular with influencers encouraging users to buy within the app. -
Twitter Becomes X
Elon Musk buys Twitter for $44 billion. He rebrands many features and prioritizes "free speech." -
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Artificial Intelligence Integrates into Social Media
AI becomes more user-oriented in social media, and is no longer only used behind the scenes. While still growing, AI appears as a search engine within social media sites and people can chat to AI bots. AI posts and users are especially common, and people struggle to tell the difference between real and AI.