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Launch of Six Degrees
One of the first recognizable social networking sites, where users could create profiles and connect with others. -
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Blogger Launches
Blogger, one of the earliest platforms for user-generated content, helped popularize online journaling. -
2002 – Friendster Debuts
Description: Friendster aimed to connect friends-of-friends and became hugely popular in Asia.
Image: Screenshot of a Friendster profile. -
2003 – MySpace Goes Live
Description: MySpace allowed users to customize profiles, post music, and helped launch careers (e.g., Arctic Monkeys).
Image: MySpace homepage. -
2003 – LinkedIn is Created
Description: LinkedIn launched as a professional networking site, focusing on careers and resumes.
Image: LinkedIn logo or early interface. -
2004 – Facebook Launches
Description: Created by Mark Zuckerberg at Harvard, Facebook initially targeted college students.
Image: Early Facebook interface. -
2005 – YouTube is Founded
Description: YouTube allowed anyone to upload and share videos, revolutionizing online content.
Image: Original YouTube logo or video page. -
2006 – Twitter Launches
Description: Twitter introduced microblogging and hashtags, limited to 140 characters at the time.
Image: First tweet or Twitter logo. -
2007 – Hashtags Are Introduced
Description: Chris Messina proposes using “#” to group tweets by topic.
Image: First tweet with a hashtag. -
2008 – Facebook Becomes Most Popular Platform
Description: Facebook surpasses MySpace in global users.
Image: Facebook user growth graph. -
2009 – WhatsApp is Released
Description: WhatsApp changes mobile messaging with free, international texts and media sharing.
Image: WhatsApp logo/interface. -
2010 – Instagram Launches
Description: A photo-sharing app with filters and simplicity that exploded in popularity.
Image: Instagram original app look. -
2011 – Google+ Launches
Description: Google’s attempt at social networking—ultimately shut down in 2019.
Image: Google+ logo. -
2012 – Facebook Buys Instagram
Description: Facebook acquires Instagram for $1 billion, marking a big move in the social space.
Image: News headline or Facebook+Instagram logos -
2013 – Vine Launches
Description: Vine allowed 6-second looping videos—became a viral video hub.
Image: Vine logo or sample vine. -
2014 – Twitch Acquired by Amazon
Description: Gaming and live-streaming platform becomes part of Amazon.
Image: Twitch homepage or logo. -
2015 – Periscope (Live Streaming) Grows
Description: Twitter adds live video streaming through Periscope.
Image: Periscope interface. -
2016 – TikTok (Douyin in China) Launches
Description: TikTok launched in China as Douyin and went global after merging with Musical.ly.
Image: TikTok logo or interface. -
2017 – Twitter Doubles Character Limit
Description: Tweets expanded from 140 to 280 characters.
Image: Twitter announcement. -
2018 – Facebook Faces Cambridge Analytica Scandal
Description: A major scandal over user data and election interference.
Image: News headline or Zuckerberg testifying. -
2019 – TikTok Becomes Most Downloaded App
Description: TikTok explodes in popularity, especially among Gen Z.
Image: TikTok trending video. -
2020 – Social Media During the Pandemic
Description: Platforms like Zoom, TikTok, and Instagram became essential for connection during lockdown.
Image: Screenshots of online classes or quarantine content. -
2021 – Clubhouse Grows in Popularity
Description: Invite-only audio app gains traction during pandemic isolation.
Image: Clubhouse logo. -
2022 – Twitter Acquired by Elon Musk
Description: Musk’s controversial purchase and changes spark debates about free speech.
Image: Elon Musk Twitter logo. -
2023 – Meta Launches Threads
Description: Meta (Facebook/Instagram) launches a Twitter rival: Threads.
Image: Threads logo or interface. -
2024 – Social Media and AI Integration
Description: AI tools become common on social platforms (e.g., Meta’s AI assistant).
Image: Example of AI-generated content or chat.