© Getty Images

Friendster -

Launched in 2002, Friendster quickly became a popular social network, enabling users to create profiles and connect. Despite reaching three million users, tech issues led many to leave for MySpace. Though Friendster declined in the US, it remained popular in Southeast Asia, amassing 115 million users by 2009. Low engagement eventually led to its closure in 2015.

© Getty Images

Orkut -

In 2004, Google launched Orkut, aiming to build a social network. It took its name from its creator, Orkut Büyükkökten, who worked at Google at the time. Though it gained popularity in Brazil, Orkut struggled in the US and was ultimately discontinued in 2014 due to security concerns.

© Getty Images

MySpace -

Launched in 2003, MySpace allowed users to connect, customize pages, and share music, revolutionizing online interaction. Peaking with 76 million users, it later shifted focus to music amid Facebook's rise.

© Getty Images

Bebo -

Launched in 2005, Bebo was a popular American social network, until its 2013 bankruptcy. After several relaunches, including an Amazon acquisition in 2019, it reappeared in 2021, but ultimately shut down in 2022.

© Getty Images

Vine -

Vine launched in January 2013, allowing users to create six-second videos. But despite its popularity and acquisition by Twitter, it struggled against competitors and was shut down in 2017.

© Getty Images

hi5 -

Hi5 was an early social media platform popular in the mid-2000s, focusing on social networking, profiles, photo sharing, and friend connections. It later shifted toward online gaming.

© Shutterstock

Yik Yak -

Yik Yak, launched in 2013, allowed anonymous posts within a five-mile radius, gaining popularity on college campuses. However, it declined due to cyberbullying and lack of moderation, shutting down in 2017. It made a comeback in 2021, but became unavailable for Android users in 2023, prompting speculation about the app's potential decline.

© Getty Images

Habbo -

Habbo, also known as Habbo Hotel, is a virtual world and game launched in 2000. It allows users to create avatars, interact, play games, and design rooms.

© Shutterstock

Ello -

Ello, founded in 2014, was a social network that promised user privacy and rejected data selling. It gained popularity, particularly among the LGBTQ+ community, before shutting down in July 2023.

© Getty Images

MSN Messenger -

Launched in 1999, MSN Messenger was an instant messaging platform developed by Microsoft, later rebranded as Windows Live Messenger. It was discontinued in 2013 and replaced by Skype.

© Getty Images

Periscope -

Periscope was a live video streaming app for Android and iOS, developed by Kayvon Beykpour and Joe Bernstein, and was later acquired by Twitter. It was discontinued in 2021, due to declining usage.

© Shutterstock

BBM -

BBM, or BlackBerry Messenger, was a mobile instant messaging app developed by BlackBerry Limited and later by Emtek. Originally exclusive to BlackBerry devices, it was discontinued in 2019.

© Getty Images

Tumblr -

Despite still being operational, Tumblr has faded from the mainstream social media landscape. Launched in 2007, it quickly became a popular platform for sharing text and visual content, allowing users to engage with others. Users could customize their blogs, tailoring the design to their preferences.

© Getty Images

ICQ -

ICQ was a messaging app launched in 1996, allowing group chats and delayed messages. Acquired by AOL in 1998, it declined after being sold in 2010, shutting down completely in June 2024.

© Shutterstock

Yahoo! 360° -

Yahoo! 360°, launched in June 2005, was an invite-only social network that integrated various Yahoo! products. Despite gaining popularity in Vietnam, it was discontinued in the US in 2009. The Vietnamese version was officially shut down in 2013. 

© Getty Images

Google Buzz -

In 2010, Google launched Google Buzz, a microblogging tool within Gmail for sharing links, photos, and updates. Despite early excitement, it closed in 2011 due to low user interest.

© Getty Images

StumbleUpon -

StumbleUpon was a discovery platform with a "Stumble!" button that led users to random websites based on interests. It allowed content filtering, community discussions, and ratings. It closed in 2018.

© Shutterstock

Xanga -

Launched in 1999, Xanga was a social media community where users shared personal blogs, photos, and updates with friends. It was dissolved in 2013.

© Shutterstock

Google+ -

Following the decline of Orkut and Google Buzz, Google launched Google+ in June 2011. Despite features like Circles and Hangouts, user confusion and security concerns led to its 2019 shutdown.

© Getty Images

Eons.com -

Launched in 2006, Eons.com was a social networking site marketed towards baby boomers and other internet users over the age of 40. It has been inactive since 2012.

© Shutterstock

Path -

Path was a mobile-based social networking app launched in 2010 for photo sharing and messaging, limited to 50 close contacts. Founded by Shawn Fanning and Dave Morin, it closed in 2018.

© Shutterstock

Ryze -

Ryze, founded in 2001 by Adrian Scott, was a social networking service for business professionals, facilitating connections.

© Shutterstock

WeeWorld -

WeeWorld, launched in 2000, was a Scottish social networking site featuring customizable avatars called "WeeMees." Targeted at teens, it went into liquidation in 2014 and closed in 2017.

© Shutterstock

Tagged -

Tagged, founded in 2004, is a social discovery site where users browse profiles, share tags, and exchange virtual gifts. Originally a teen network, it shifted to dating, now requiring users to be over 18.

© Shutterstock

Ping -

Ping was a music-oriented social networking and recommendation system developed by Apple.  Launched in 2010 as part of iTunes, it allowed users to follow artists and share updates, before closing in 2012.

© Shutterstock

SixDegrees.com -

SixDegrees.com was an early social networking site, active from 1997 to 2000. Users could connect with friends and external contacts, influencing future platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn.

© Shutterstock

FriendFeed -

FriendFeed was a real-time feed aggregator that consolidated updates from various social media platforms. It was shut down in 2015.

© Shutterstock

GeoCities -

GeoCities, later known as Yahoo! GeoCities, was founded in 1994, allowing users to create community-themed web pages. It peaked in the late '90s but declined with the rise of social media, ultimately closing in 2009, but continued operating in Japan until 2019.

Sources: (Mental Floss) (CBS News) 

See also: Ways social media has changed over the past decade

© Shutterstock