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One of the first recognizable social networking sites, where users could create profiles and connect with others.
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Blogger, one of the earliest platforms for user-generated content, helped popularize online journaling.
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Description: Friendster aimed to connect friends-of-friends and became hugely popular in Asia.
Image: Screenshot of a Friendster profile. -
Description: MySpace allowed users to customize profiles, post music, and helped launch careers (e.g., Arctic Monkeys).
Image: MySpace homepage. -
Description: LinkedIn launched as a professional networking site, focusing on careers and resumes.
Image: LinkedIn logo or early interface. -
Description: Created by Mark Zuckerberg at Harvard, Facebook initially targeted college students.
Image: Early Facebook interface. -
Description: YouTube allowed anyone to upload and share videos, revolutionizing online content.
Image: Original YouTube logo or video page. -
Description: Twitter introduced microblogging and hashtags, limited to 140 characters at the time.
Image: First tweet or Twitter logo. -
Description: Chris Messina proposes using “#” to group tweets by topic.
Image: First tweet with a hashtag. -
Description: Facebook surpasses MySpace in global users.
Image: Facebook user growth graph. -
Description: WhatsApp changes mobile messaging with free, international texts and media sharing.
Image: WhatsApp logo/interface. -
Description: A photo-sharing app with filters and simplicity that exploded in popularity.
Image: Instagram original app look. -
Description: Google’s attempt at social networking—ultimately shut down in 2019.
Image: Google+ logo. -
Description: Facebook acquires Instagram for $1 billion, marking a big move in the social space.
Image: News headline or Facebook+Instagram logos -
Description: Vine allowed 6-second looping videos—became a viral video hub.
Image: Vine logo or sample vine. -
Description: Gaming and live-streaming platform becomes part of Amazon.
Image: Twitch homepage or logo. -
Description: Twitter adds live video streaming through Periscope.
Image: Periscope interface. -
Description: TikTok launched in China as Douyin and went global after merging with Musical.ly.
Image: TikTok logo or interface. -
Description: Tweets expanded from 140 to 280 characters.
Image: Twitter announcement. -
Description: A major scandal over user data and election interference.
Image: News headline or Zuckerberg testifying. -
Description: TikTok explodes in popularity, especially among Gen Z.
Image: TikTok trending video. -
Description: Platforms like Zoom, TikTok, and Instagram became essential for connection during lockdown.
Image: Screenshots of online classes or quarantine content. -
Description: Invite-only audio app gains traction during pandemic isolation.
Image: Clubhouse logo. -
Description: Musk’s controversial purchase and changes spark debates about free speech.
Image: Elon Musk Twitter logo. -
Description: Meta (Facebook/Instagram) launches a Twitter rival: Threads.
Image: Threads logo or interface. -
Description: AI tools become common on social platforms (e.g., Meta’s AI assistant).
Image: Example of AI-generated content or chat.