13 Websites That Everyone Bookmarked
This is a throwback to the websites that filled everyone’s bookmark bar and browser history.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Long before apps took over, bookmarks were our way of saving the internet’s best spots. They shaped how we browsed, laughed, learned, and even wasted time. This list revisits the 13 websites that earned a permanent spot in almost everyone’s bookmarks.
1. Myspace Profiles Everyone Customized
BicScope at es.wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons
Myspace was the ultimate mix of creativity and chaos. Everyone proudly designed their own profile, complete with glitter graphics, looping songs, and flashing cursors. Your top friends list could start friendships or end them just as fast. It was social networking before we even knew what that meant.
2. Yahoo for Mail, News, and Everything Else
Verizon Media - Pentagram on Wikimedia Commons
Yahoo felt like the internet’s main hub — a place to read the latest headlines, check your horoscope, and send your first emails. For many, it was the first homepage they ever set. Yahoo Messenger kept people chatting long into the night, complete with custom emojis and sound alerts. It was the web’s most reliable all-in-one stop before things got complicated.
3. Google Before It Ruled Everything
Google LLC on Wikimedia Commons
Google started as a minimalist search page that just worked better than anything else. The blank design made it feel fast and clean compared to crowded competitors. People bookmarked it simply because it felt trustworthy and efficient. Before long, it became the one site nobody needed to type — they just clicked.
4. MSN Messenger and Homepage
Bent52 on Wikimedia Commons
MSN was where you caught up with friends after homework, one “ding” at a time. The homepage had everything — news, horoscopes, quizzes, and celebrity gossip. MSN Messenger gave you status updates, custom fonts, and those unforgettable nudge features. It felt like the digital version of passing notes in class.
5. Neopets for Virtual Pets and Games
Neopets Metaverse on Wikimedia Commons
Neopets turned the internet into a fantasy world filled with creatures to feed, games to play, and items to collect. Kids learned about online currency before they even knew what “economy” meant. Every login promised something new — a secret code, a limited edition pet, or an unexpected plot twist. For many, it was the first online community they ever loved.
6. Newgrounds for Flash Games and Animations
From newgrounds on Wikimedia Commons
Newgrounds was the wild side of the internet where anything could happen. It hosted edgy Flash games, weird cartoons, and viral videos before YouTube existed. The site gave a platform to early animators and creators who would later shape online culture. It was creative chaos, and everyone who bookmarked it knew they were in for something unexpected.
7. eBay for Bidding Wars
The original uploader was KUsam at English Wikipedia. on Wikimedia Commons
eBay made online shopping feel like a game you could actually win. People bookmarked it to chase rare finds, old collectibles, or last-minute deals. Watching the seconds tick down on an auction was pure adrenaline. It turned bargain-hunting into a sport, and every win felt personal.
8. AOL for News and Chat Rooms
Yahoo! Inc. on Wikimedia Commons
AOL brought the world online in a way no one else did at the time. It gave users news, email, and endless chat rooms where strangers became friends. The “You’ve Got Mail” greeting became one of the most iconic sounds of the early web. Bookmarking AOL meant logging into an entire online lifestyle.
9. LiveJournal for Online Diaries
LiveJournal on Wikimedia Commons
LiveJournal gave people a place to write freely and connect over shared emotions. It felt private, yet public enough to find others who related to your thoughts. Posts ranged from heartfelt confessions to poetic rants. For many, it was the internet’s first version of self-expression therapy.
10. GeoCities for Neighborhood-Style Pages
GeoCities on Wikimedia Commons
GeoCities organized the internet into themed “neighborhoods,” each full of colorful, chaotic personal pages. People built shrines to their favorite shows, hobbies, or pets. It wasn’t polished, but it was filled with heart and personality. Bookmarking a GeoCities page felt like visiting a friend’s digital home.
11. Miniclip for Multiplayer Games
Miniclip Ltd. on Wikimedia Commons
Miniclip was where competitive gamers went to kill time and crush high scores. It hosted everything from pool and platformers to quirky multiplayer hits. Kids would bookmark it and return daily to beat their friends’ records. It made browser gaming feel like a global playground.
12. Photobucket for Storing Images
Photobucket on Pexels
Photobucket made sharing photos online feel effortless. It was where you stored pictures for blogs, Myspace layouts, and forum avatars. For many, it was their first taste of digital photo hosting. Losing your Photobucket password felt like losing years of internet history.
13. DeviantArt for Art and Creativity
deviantart on Wikimedia Commons
DeviantArt became a sanctuary for artists to post and grow their craft. It was filled with drawings, fan art, and photography that inspired others to create. Comment sections often turned into friendly critique sessions and collaborations. For many young creators, it was the first place their art truly felt seen.