18 Websites From the Early 2000s That Changed the Internet

This listicle highlights 18 memorable websites from the early 2000s era that helped transform internet culture.

Daisy Montero
November 13, 2025
6 min read

18 Websites From the Early 2000s That Changed the Internet — MART PRODUCTION on Wikimedia Commons

Each slide looks at one site, what made it big, and how it influenced the web landscape. Many of these platforms introduced features or communities that became standard later on. Reading through them brings back how wild and innovative the web once felt.

1. 1. Yahoo!

Schneelocke at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons

At the dawn of the 2000s, Yahoo! served as the gateway for millions of users looking for email, news, and directory links. Its popularity soared because it combined search, portal content, and community all in one place. By 2000, it was among the most visited sites globally. The site’s model influenced how portals operated for years.

2. 2. AOL

AOL started as a dial-up internet service, but by the early 2000s, its portal attracted massive traffic. It packaged news, chat rooms, email, and downloads under one roof. The brand became synonymous with getting “online” in that era. Its dominance showed how bundled services appealed to mainstream users.

3. 3. MSN

MSN emerged as a major web portal through Microsoft’s brand power and bundled services. It appealed to users familiar with Windows who wanted online content integrated into their system. Its traffic numbers placed it alongside other top sites. The site’s influence helped shape portal expectations.

4. 4. eBay

The original uploader was KUsam at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons

The eBay platform transformed how people thought about buying and selling online in the early 2000s. Users could list items and bid from anywhere, making auctions accessible to the masses. Its arrival marked a shift from traditional retail to peer-driven commerce. The model set the tone for many future marketplace platforms.

5. 5. Flash Websites & Animation

LocalContributor281 on Wikimedia Commons

Many early 2000s sites relied on Flash to create animated intros, interactive menus, and rich graphics. Designers pushed the limits of what browsers could show, even when speeds were slow. These sites often loaded slowly but felt cutting-edge at the time. They show how aesthetic ambition influenced web evolution.

6. 6. MySpace

MySpace allowed users to create custom profile pages, add music playlists, and express individuality online. It became a cultural phenomenon in the early to mid-2000s. The site’s customization features were radical at the time and drew a huge youth audience. Its approach influenced later platforms.

7. 7. Blogger

Blogger launched in 1999 and became one of the easiest ways for people to share their thoughts online. It removed the technical barriers of building a website, letting anyone start a blog in minutes. Thousands of personal journals, fan pages, and hobby blogs appeared during this time. The site helped shape the rise of user-generated content and paved the way for today’s influencers and online writers.

8. 8. Friendster

Friendster introduced many features familiar in today’s social networks, such as friend connections and personal profiles. It gathered a large user base in the early 2000s before other networks surged ahead. The website illustrated how socializing online could be structured. It helped set templates for what was to come.

9. 9. Ask Jeeves

Ask Jeeves offered natural-language search, allowing users to ask questions in plain English. It stood out when search engines were less intuitive. The site demonstrated the demand for easier access to information on the web. Over time, the model evolved into modern search features.

10. 10. GeoCities

GeoCities allowed users to build personal websites under themed “neighborhood” groups easily. It became a platform for creativity, fan pages, and early web communities. Many early internet users cut their teeth on this site. Its closure marked the end of one web era.

11. 11. Neopets

Neopets became a global sensation in the early 2000s by letting users adopt virtual pets, play games, and explore an entire fantasy world. The site mixed creativity, competition, and community in a way few others had at the time. It inspired future online gaming communities and remains a nostalgic favorite for many who grew up online.

12. 12. Amazon

By the early 2000s, Amazon had already evolved from an online bookstore into a full retail destination. Its easy ordering system, customer reviews, and wide product range redefined how people shopped online. The site showed that digital storefronts could be as trustworthy and convenient as physical ones. Amazon’s success proved that e-commerce was not a trend but the future of retail.

13. 13. LiveJournal

LiveJournal gave users a place to write personal entries, share opinions, and interact in comment threads that felt like tight-knit communities. It blurred the line between blogging and social networking before either was clearly defined. The site’s open discussions shaped early internet culture and made online journaling mainstream.

14. 14. YouTube (Early Days)

YouTube launched in 2005 and quickly became the go-to platform for uploading and watching videos online. It changed how users consumed media and created. Its easy upload and share model unlocked a new creator-driven culture. The influence on entertainment and social media cannot be overstated.

15. 15. Hotmail

Hotmail was one of the first web-based email services to reach global popularity in the early 2000s. It gave users free access to their inbox from any browser, a huge leap from computer-based email programs. Microsoft’s later acquisition of Hotmail expanded its reach even further. The platform made checking email online a normal part of everyday life.

16. 16. CNN.com

CNN.com became one of the first major news sites to post real-time updates online. It changed how people consumed news, making information accessible anytime instead of waiting for TV broadcasts. During major global events, traffic spiked as users turned to the site for instant coverage. CNN.com helped prove that digital journalism could compete with traditional media.

17. 17. Netscape

Netscape Communications Corp. (original icon). Gabriel dos Santos (SVG version) on Wikimedia Commons

Netscape was one of the first browsers that made browsing the internet accessible and visually appealing for everyday users. By the early 2000s, it had already influenced how later browsers like Internet Explorer and Firefox were designed. Its simple interface and customizable features helped millions experience the web for the first time. Although it eventually faded, Netscape’s legacy lives on in modern browsing technology.

18. 18. Gaia Online

Gaia Online launched in 2003 as a forum-based community where teens could chat, customize avatars, and take part in virtual events. It blended message boards, role-playing, and gaming in one creative hub. Users spent hours building identities and connecting through shared interests. Gaia became one of the most beloved teen hangouts of the early 2000s internet.