The early 2000s marked the dawn of social media as we know it today. Before Facebook and Twitter dominated the digital landscape, a wave of pioneering platforms helped shape how people connected online. These early social networks laid the groundwork for modern digital communication and changed how people shared their lives with friends and family.
From Friendster’s groundbreaking friend-connecting features to MySpace’s customizable profiles and music integration, the 2000s saw numerous platforms compete for users’ attention. Many of these early social media apps have since disappeared or transformed beyond recognition, but their impact on digital culture remains significant. They introduced concepts like status updates, friend lists and photo sharing that would become standard features across all social platforms.
Old Social Media Apps 2000s
The early 2000s marked a transformative period in digital communication as social networking platforms emerged to connect people online. These platforms introduced revolutionary features that laid the foundation for modern social media.
Early Pioneers of Social Networking
Six Degrees (1997-2001) established the first digital social network blueprint by introducing profile creation and friend connections. Friendster launched in 2002, reaching 3 million users within three months through its innovative “Circle of Friends” concept. Here are key pioneering platforms:
- SixDegrees enabled users to create profiles, list friends and browse friend networks
- Friendster introduced the “degrees of separation” concept for connecting users
- LiveJournal combined blogging with social networking features in 2001
- Hi5 launched in 2003 offering multilingual support for global audiences
- Orkut emerged in 2004 as Google’s first social networking venture
- Custom HTML/CSS profile customization options
- Integrated music players for artists and users
- Photo albums with commenting capabilities
- Blog functionality within user profiles
- Built-in instant messaging system
| Platform | Launch Year | Peak Monthly Users | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Six Degrees | 1997 | 1 million | First friend connections |
| Friendster | 2002 | 115 million | Circle of Friends concept |
| MySpace | 2003 | 76 million | Profile customization |
| Hi5 | 2003 | 80 million | Multilingual support |
| Orkut | 2004 | 300 million | Community features |
MySpace: The First Social Media Giant
MySpace emerged as a dominant social networking platform in 2003, reaching 100 million users by 2006. The platform revolutionized online social interaction through its unique customization options and emphasis on music sharing.
Custom Profile Design Features
MySpace’s profile customization set it apart from competitors by offering HTML editing capabilities. Users modified their profiles with custom backgrounds, fonts, layouts, cursors, music players and personalized CSS code. The platform’s “Top 8 Friends” feature created a hierarchy in social connections, while animated GIFs, glitter graphics and custom themes enabled unique self-expression opportunities.
- Customizable music players with auto-play functionality
- Dedicated band profiles with song streaming capabilities
- Virtual concert venue listings and tour date notifications
- Direct messaging between artists and followers
- Built-in song download and sharing tools
| MySpace Music Statistics (2006-2008) | |
|---|---|
| Registered Artists | 8 million |
| Monthly Music Streams | 5 billion |
| Song Database Size | 42 million tracks |
| Daily Profile Song Changes | 10 million |
Friendster’s Brief but Influential Reign
Friendster emerged as a pioneering social network in 2002, attracting 3 million users within three months of launch. The platform introduced the “Degrees of Separation” concept, displaying connections between users through mutual friends.
Key Features and Innovations
- Friend Testimonials: Users wrote public endorsements on friends’ profiles
- Profile Customization: Basic HTML editing for personal page modification
- Friend Networks: Visual mapping of connection paths between users
- Photo Sharing: Direct upload capabilities with basic editing tools
- Friendship Meter: Calculated compatibility scores between users
Peak Performance Statistics
| Metric | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Monthly Users | 115 million | 2008 |
| Daily Page Views | 1.6 billion | 2008 |
| Registered Users | 75 million | 2009 |
| Average Time Spent | 2.6 hours/month | 2008 |
Technical Challenges
Friendster’s infrastructure faced critical issues during rapid growth:
- Slow page loading times exceeding 40 seconds
- Server crashes during peak usage periods
- Database overload from complex friend-mapping queries
- Limited scalability of the original PHP codebase
Market Position
The platform dominated the Asian market between 2004-2009:
- 90% market share in Philippines
- 75% social media penetration in Indonesia
- 80% of traffic from Asia-Pacific region
- Regional headquarters established in Singapore
Friendster’s patent portfolio sold to Facebook for $40 million in 2010. The platform converted to a gaming site in 2011 before ceasing operations in 2015, marking the end of its social networking journey.
The Rise and Fall of Hi5
Hi5 emerged as a prominent social networking platform in 2003, reaching 50 million active users by 2008. The platform distinguished itself through multilingual support in over 50 languages and region-specific customization features.
Key Features and Innovations
- Friend Networks: Connected users through “Friend Lists” with 1st to 3rd-degree relationship mapping
- Profile Customization: Offered HTML-based themes, background music players and photo galleries
- Status Updates: Introduced “Shouts” for short messages limited to 100 characters
- Gaming Integration: Added social gaming features in 2009 with over 200 casual games
- Virtual Currency: Implemented “Coins” system for purchasing digital goods and game items
Peak Performance Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Peak Monthly Users (2008) | 50 million |
| Daily Page Views (2007) | 47 million |
| Registered Countries | 190+ |
| Active Languages | 50+ |
| Gaming Revenue (2010) | $25 million |
Transformation and Decline
Hi5 shifted its focus to social gaming in 2010 to compete with emerging platforms. The platform experienced significant changes:
- Rebranded as a gaming network in 2010
- Acquired by Tagged in 2011 for $250 million
- Merged into MeetMe’s portfolio in 2016
- Discontinued original social networking features in 2017
The platform’s market share decreased by 80% between 2009 and 2011 as users migrated to Facebook and other emerging social networks. Hi5’s transformation from a social network to a gaming platform marked the end of its prominence in the social media landscape.
AIM and MSN Messenger: Early Social Communication
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and MSN Messenger dominated early digital communication from 1997 to 2007, pioneering real-time chat features that shaped modern messaging platforms. These services connected over 100 million active users during their peak in 2003.
Instant Messaging Revolution
AIM introduced instant messaging to mainstream audiences in 1997, reaching 53% of internet users by 2000. Key features included:
- Buddy lists displaying online contacts
- Away messages indicating user availability
- File sharing capabilities up to 1MB
- Chat rooms for group conversations
- Instant message notifications
MSN Messenger launched in 1999, adding competitive features:
- Emoticon support with 60 animated expressions
- Video chat capabilities at 320×240 resolution
- Voice messaging up to 15 seconds
- Integrated email notifications
- Cross-platform synchronization
Customizable Status Messages and Avatars
Both platforms offered extensive personalization options that influenced modern social media features:
AIM Customization:
- User profiles with biographical information
- Custom buddy icons (48×48 pixels)
- Personalized sound alerts
- Font styling with 10 color options
- Screen name formatting
- Display pictures up to 96×96 pixels
- Personal status messages with 128 characters
- Custom backgrounds with PNG support
- Animated winks for expression
- Personal message music integration
| Platform Feature Comparison | AIM | MSN Messenger |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Active Users (2003) | 65 million | 35 million |
| File Transfer Limit | 1 MB | 2 MB |
| Maximum Friends | 500 | 600 |
| Supported Languages | 2 | 26 |
| Video Quality | 240p | 320p |
Other Notable Platforms from the 2000s
The early 2000s witnessed several influential social platforms that shaped digital communication alongside major networks like MySpace and Friendster.
LiveJournal and Early Blogging
LiveJournal combined blogging with social networking features in 1999, attracting 15.2 million users by 2007. Users created personalized journals with custom themes, friend groups, privacy controls for entries, and threaded commenting systems. The platform introduced key social features:
- Custom user icons for visual identity
- Friend feeds displaying recent posts
- Communities for shared interests
- Poll creation tools
- RSS feed integration
| LiveJournal Statistics (2007) | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Active Users | 15.2M |
| Daily Posts | 200,000 |
| Active Communities | 200,000 |
| Languages Supported | 30 |
Orkut’s Global Impact
Orkut launched in 2004 as Google’s first social networking platform, gaining massive popularity in Brazil and India. The platform’s unique features included:
- Relationship strength indicators
- Custom profile testimonials
- Community creation tools
- Scraps messaging system
- Photo album sharing
| Orkut Peak Statistics (2010) | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Global Users | 300M |
| Brazilian Market Share | 80% |
| Indian Market Share | 20% |
| Active Communities | 1M |
| Daily Messages | 500M |
The platform maintained dominance in Brazil until 2012 when Facebook surpassed its user base. Google discontinued Orkut in 2014, archiving its communities for cultural preservation.
Old Apps
The social media landscape of the 2000s laid the groundwork for today’s digital communication platforms. From Six Degrees to MySpace and from Friendster to Hi5 these pioneering networks introduced features we now take for granted. While most of these platforms have ceased operations their legacy lives on through modern social media giants.
The innovative features they introduced – from customizable profiles and friend connections to instant messaging and content sharing – have become essential elements of our online social experiences. Though Facebook Twitter and Instagram now dominate the scene they owe much of their success to these early platforms that dared to experiment with new ways of connecting people online.
Their rise and fall demonstrates the dynamic nature of social media and reminds us how quickly digital landscapes can change. Yet their influence on how we communicate and connect online remains undeniable.