15 Websites Everyone Used Before Social Media
Long before timelines, likes, and followers took over the internet, a different set of websites ruled the digital space. These platforms were once the go-to spots for fun, learning, and killing time online.
- Tricia Quitales
- 6 min read
Before social media reshaped how we connect and share, people turned to other corners of the internet for entertainment, interaction, and creativity. From forums to flash games, these websites were essential to early web culture and online discovery. They laid the groundwork for many features we now associate with social media. Revisiting them offers a nostalgic look at how the internet once felt like a digital playground.
1. Neopets
Ubidos419 on Wikimedia
Neopets was a virtual pet website where users could adopt, care for, and play games with digital creatures. It featured a full economy, a variety of minigames, and user-generated content. Kids and teens would spend hours earning Neopoints to buy food, toys, and clothes for their pets. There were also forums and guilds that created a sense of online community. It was more than just a game; it was an early form of digital life.
2. AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)
AOL on Wikimedia
AIM was the original way to chat with friends after school, long before DMs became standard. Users created personalized away messages, custom screen names, and had long chats through simple text. Buddy lists were sacred, and the door sound effect became instantly recognizable. It helped shape early online communication and social presence. AIM was the heart of many digital friendships in the 2000s.
3. LiveJournal
LiveJournal on Wikimedia
LiveJournal was a blogging and journaling site where users shared thoughts, stories, and fandom content. It combined personal expression with a sense of community through comments and friend groups. Many users explored writing, fan fiction, or deep personal reflections in a semi-public space. The platform allowed early customization with themes and HTML tweaks. It paved the way for how people now share their lives online.
4. Homestar Runner
various on Wikimedia
Homestar Runner was a flash-based cartoon website that delivered original animated content with quirky humor. It featured characters like Strong Bad, whose emails became iconic internet content. The site updated weekly, drawing fans back consistently without relying on social media. It was entirely free and run independently, which made it feel authentic. Homestar Runner became a cornerstone of early internet culture.
5. Ebaum’s World
KoolShooters on pexels
Ebaum’s World was one of the first websites to collect viral videos, images, and flash games all in one place. It was a go-to destination for internet humor before YouTube or Instagram Reels existed. Much of the content was bizarre, edgy, or absurdly funny. The site thrived on user submissions and early memes. It helped shape the tone of internet comedy that is still seen today.
6. Newgrounds
Tom Fulp on Wikimedia
Newgrounds was a creative platform where users could upload flash animations, games, and music. It gave a voice to indie creators who later became big names in the industry. Many future animators and game developers got their start there. The site had ratings, forums, and a strong sense of creative community. It was a hub for raw talent before platforms like YouTube emerged.
7. Ask Jeeves
Christina Morillo on Pexels
Ask Jeeves was an early search engine that encouraged users to type full questions instead of keywords. The site featured a fictional butler named Jeeves who “answered” your queries. It offered a more human touch to internet searching in a pre-Google world. Although the results were often basic, the format was easy to use. Eventually, it rebranded and faded as search technology advanced.
8. GeoCities
GeoCities on Wikimedia
GeoCities allowed users to build their own websites with basic tools and drag-and-drop elements. It gave early internet users their first taste of web design and digital identity. Neighborhoods like “Hollywood” or “Athens” grouped similar content together. Pages were colorful, chaotic, and filled with animated GIFs. It was messy, personal, and truly the spirit of the early web.
9. AddictingGames.com
Ivan Samkov on Pexels
Addicting Games featured free browser-based games that kept students and office workers entertained for hours. It had a massive library ranging from puzzle games to action-packed challenges. No account was needed, and loading times were short, which made it easily accessible. Teachers hated it, but kids loved it. It was one of the first destinations for casual gaming online.
10. Miniclip
Miniclip Ltd. on Wikimedia
Miniclip offered clean, fast-loading games in an organized format. It was known for its high-quality flash games compared to many other sites at the time. Users didn’t need to register, making it easy for anyone to jump in. It became a favorite during school computer lab sessions. Many of its games later made the jump to mobile.
11. DeviantArt
DeviantArt on Wikimedia
DeviantArt became the premier online gallery for digital and traditional artists to share their work. It hosted everything from anime fan art to experimental photography. Users could comment, follow, and form groups based on interests or styles. It was one of the first platforms to give artists global exposure. Many professionals today got their start sharing on DeviantArt.
12. Albino Blacksheep
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Albino Blacksheep was a hub for flash animations, strange music videos, and viral internet oddities. It was known for its offbeat humor and bizarre content. Classics like “The Ultimate Showdown” or “End of the World” debuted here. It offered pure entertainment before content went corporate. Its weirdness defined a generation of internet users.
13. Yahoo! Answers
Yahoo! Inc. on Wikimedia
Yahoo! Answers was a question-and-answer forum where users could post anything and receive responses from the public. The answers ranged from incredibly helpful to completely ridiculous. It was a chaotic but charming place for collective curiosity. Many questions became viral simply because of their bizarre phrasing. Despite the nonsense, it created a sense of digital crowd wisdom.
14. Friendster
Public domain on Wikimedia
Before Facebook, Friendster was one of the first social networking sites to gain widespread attention. It allowed users to create profiles, list friends, and connect through mutual contacts. The site emphasized personal networks and testimonials. Technical issues eventually caused its downfall, but it laid the foundation for what social media would become. For a brief time, it felt like the future.
15. Myspace
Myspace on Wikimedia
Myspace gave users full control over their profile pages, music playlists, and friend lists. It became the first platform where people truly built an online identity. HTML customizations, Top 8 friend drama, and embedded music defined its charm. Bands and artists also used it to launch their careers. It was social media before we called it that.