16 First Websites Everyone Bookmarked
Here's a nostalgic look back at the first websites people loved and saved in their browsers.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Before social media feeds and endless apps, the internet felt like a brand-new frontier where bookmarking sites was a must. From search engines and early news hubs to quirky fun pages, these were the go-to spots that defined online beginnings. Here’s a trip down memory lane with the 16 first websites most people bookmarked.
1. Yahoo!
Xingenious on Wikimedia Commons
Back when the internet felt overwhelming, Yahoo! was the directory everyone relied on. Its mix of news, email, and search tools made it a one-stop shop.
2. AOL
Mr.Joseph Sprite on Flickr
America Online was more than just dial-up; it was the internet for many households. Its homepage gave you chatrooms, news, and an inbox all in one.
3. Ask Jeeves
Brent Payne on Flickr
Before Google took over, people typed full questions into Ask Jeeves. The idea of a butler fetching answers made it fun and approachable.
4. GeoCities
Ged Carroll on Flickr
The home of quirky personal webpages, GeoCities let anyone build their corner of the internet. Bookmarks were filled with friends’ sites or cool graphics-heavy pages.
5. Hotmail
mynetx on Flickr
Getting your first free email felt like owning real estate online. Hotmail gave you that, with a clean layout and easy login. It was one of the first bookmarks because checking email became a daily ritual.
6. MSN
Bent52 on Wikimedia Commons
Microsoft’s MSN portal mixed news, weather, and entertainment in one place. It quickly became a default landing page for millions.
7. Netscape
Indolering on Wikimedia Commons
Long before Chrome, Netscape was the browser everyone trusted. Its portal page gave users updates, links, and search options.
8. MapQuest
Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious on Flickr
Need directions before GPS? MapQuest was the solution. Printing out step-by-step routes started with a quick bookmark to this lifesaver site.
9. Friendster
Chris Messina on Flikcr
The first taste of social networking came from Friendster. People bookmarked it to keep track of connections and profiles.
10. LiveJournal
Kaitlyn Baker on Unsplash
Before blogging had a name, LiveJournal was a favorite. Users bookmarked it to write, read, and share thoughts with a community.
11. MySpace
Chris Messina on Flickr
Custom backgrounds, music on profiles, and a “Top 8” friends list, MySpace was huge. People bookmarked it to keep up with friends and show off their digital personality.
12. Newgrounds
MLoperative on Flickr
Flash games and animations lived on Newgrounds. For bored teens, bookmarking it meant endless fun after school. It was wild, creative, and very different from polished sites.
13. Neopets
Ron Bailey on Flickr
Kids and teens spent hours caring for digital pets on Neopets. Bookmarking it was essential to keep up with feeding, games, and community.
14. eBaum’s World
Mark on Flickr
Funny videos, soundboards, and memes before memes had a name, that was eBaum’s World. It spread viral content before YouTube existed.
15. Wikipedia
Ferelsabiondo on Wikimedia Commons
When people realized there was an encyclopedia anyone could edit, they bookmarked it instantly. It became the go-to for quick facts and research.
16. Google
Wikimedia Commons
Clean, fast, and shockingly effective, Google won hearts fast. It replaced earlier search engines and became the only bookmark many ever needed.