15 Social Media Sites That Died Before Facebook Took Over
Before Facebook grew into the world’s largest social network, many early social media sites gained attention but eventually disappeared.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
The early years of social media were filled with platforms that shaped how people connected online. Some of these sites had millions of users and even global influence, but most failed to adapt to new technology and growing competition. Their stories show how fast digital communities can rise and fall in a changing online world.
1. SixDegrees
SixDegrees on Wikimedia Commons
SixDegrees launched in 1997 and is often considered the first true social network. It allowed users to create profiles, list friends, and send messages. The concept was innovative but arrived too early, as internet access was still limited. The site shut down in 2001 after just a few years of operation.
2. Bolt
Bolt Technology OÜ on Wikimedia Commons
Bolt launched in 1996 as one of the earliest online communities aimed at teenagers. It offered chat rooms, message boards, and personal pages. Although it built a loyal user base, it could not keep up with the rise of newer social platforms. The site closed permanently in 2008.
3. Friendster
Friendster on Wikimedia Commons
Friendster launched in 2002 and quickly gained millions of users across Asia and North America. It was one of the first networks to introduce the idea of connecting through mutual friends. Slow servers and poor site performance caused many users to leave. The platform officially shut down in 2011 after an unsuccessful attempt to shift toward gaming.
4. Hi5
Hepumut on Wikimedia Commons
Hi5 launched in 2003 and was especially popular in Latin America and parts of Asia. It combined social networking features with entertainment, including music and games. The site could not compete with faster-growing platforms like Facebook. Although it still exists in a limited form, its mainstream influence ended by the early 2010s.
5. MySpace
News Corporation on Wikimedia Commons
MySpace became the most visited social network in the mid-2000s. It was known for music sharing, customizable profiles, and connecting with friends. Security concerns and cluttered design eventually hurt its reputation. By 2011, Facebook had overtaken MySpace, and it lost nearly all of its user base.
6. Orkut
Orkut on Wikimedia Commons
Orkut launched in 2004 as Google’s first major social networking site. It became especially popular in Brazil and India, with millions of active users. Over time, Facebook introduced more features and attracted the same audience. Orkut was officially shut down in 2014.
7. Yahoo! 360
Yahoo! Inc on Wikimedia Commons
Yahoo! 360 launched in 2005 and focused on blogging and personal networking. It was connected to Yahoo’s other services but failed to gain a strong following. Limited features and weak international growth led to its decline. The service was closed in 2009.
8. Xanga
Owner, 犯得上 on Wikimedia Commons
Xanga gained popularity in the early 2000s as a blogging and community site. It allowed users to post journal-style entries, photos, and comments. As trends shifted toward shorter and more visual updates, Xanga’s format lost appeal. The platform shut down most of its services in 2013.
9. Bebo
Derfel73 on Wikimedia Commons
Bebo launched in 2005 and became very popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand. It offered photo sharing, quizzes, and interactive features. When Facebook expanded into the same regions, Bebo quickly lost its core audience. After multiple relaunch attempts, it never regained its former success.
10. iLike
MySpace on Wikimedia Commons
iLike launched in 2006 with a focus on music discovery and sharing. It integrated with Facebook, allowing users to recommend songs and connect with bands. The platform was acquired by MySpace in 2009 but could not survive competition from Spotify and YouTube. iLike shut down in 2012.
11. DailyBooth
Mark Harman on Wikimedia Commons
DailyBooth launched in 2009 as a photo-sharing site centered on daily selfies. It gained attention from young users who wanted a simple way to share updates. The rise of Instagram and Snapchat overshadowed its features. DailyBooth shut down in 2012.
12. FriendFeed
Leslawdutkowski on Wikimedia Commons
FriendFeed launched in 2007 and focused on aggregating updates from multiple social platforms. It became popular among tech communities and early adopters. Facebook acquired it in 2009 but later discontinued the service. The platform was shut down in 2015.
13. Piczo
Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
Piczo was popular during the mid-2000s, especially among teenagers. It allowed users to build customizable web pages with photos, graphics, and personal content. As Facebook grew, Piczo lost most of its users. The site was closed in 2012.
14. Vine
Twitter on Wikimedia Commons
Vine launched in 2013 and became famous for its six-second looping videos. It created a new wave of online creators and short-form content. Twitter owned Vine but failed to keep it competitive with newer apps. The service was shut down in 2017.
15. Google+
Google on Wikimedia Commons
Google+ launched in 2011 as Google’s attempt to compete directly with Facebook. It introduced features like Circles, Hangouts, and Communities but never gained widespread engagement. Security problems and declining usage accelerated its end. Google officially shut down the platform in 2019.