20 Early Internet Sites We All Used (and What Happened to Them)
A nostalgic look at early internet sites that shaped online culture and where they are now.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
The early internet was full of sites people loved to visit every day. Some were for socializing, searching, or playing games, while others were just fun and random. A few are still around, but many disappeared or have changed over time. This list looks back at those websites and what happened to them.
1. GeoCities
GeoCities on Wikimedia Commons
GeoCities was where people built their first personal web pages, complete with flashing text and background music. It was a chaotic, creative space that felt like the heart of the early web. Yahoo! shut it down in 2009, but mirror sites and archives still exist.
2. Ask Jeeves
Ask Logo
Before Google dominated search, Ask Jeeves let users type complete questions and get human-like responses. The site rebranded as Ask.com but gradually lost relevance as search technology advanced. The polite butler mascot has since retired.
3. Napster
User Rpresser on en.wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons
Napster revolutionized the music industry by making file-sharing mainstream, but lawsuits shut it down in 2001. It later returned as a legal streaming service, but its wild early days are what people remember most.
4. MySpace
News Corporation on Wikimedia Commons
MySpace was the go-to social network before Facebook, allowing users to customize profiles and rank their top friends. Although it lost its dominance after Facebook took over, it still exists as a music-focused platform.
5. LiveJournal
LiveJournal on Pexels
LiveJournal was the internet’s emotional diary, blending personal blogs with social networking. It remains active but is far less popular, with many users migrating to newer platforms like Tumblr and WordPress.
6. Neopets
Neopets Logo
Neopets kept users hooked with games, shops, and pet customization, but its popularity declined after multiple ownership changes. It still exists, though it is a shadow of its former self.
7. ICQ
VK on Wikimedia Commons
ICQ was one of the first instant messaging services, famous for its ‘uh-oh!’ notification sound. It has mostly faded from use, but a modern version is still around for die-hard fans.
8. Winamp
Nullsoft on Wikimedia Comnons
Winamp was the music player of choice for the early internet users, known for its customizable skins and equalizers. It still exists but has been overshadowed by modern streaming services.
9. AltaVista - Google’s Biggest Rival
AltaVista Webseite on Wikimedia Commons
Before Google took over search, AltaVista was a top choice for finding information online. Yahoo! eventually acquired and shut it down in 2013.
10. Yahoo! Chat Rooms
Yahoo! Mail on Wikimedia Commons
Yahoo! Chart Rooms were where strangers met to talk about everything and anything. Due to safety concerns, Yahoo! shut them down in 2012.
11. Friendster
Unknown Author on Wikimedia Commons
Friendster was one of the first social networks where people connected and shared updates. It had millions of users but struggled to keep up as Facebook took over. It later tried reinventing itself as a gaming platform but eventually shut down.
12. EbaumsWorld
Carissa Rogers on Wikimedia Commons
EbaumsWorld was the place for funny videos, prank calls, and viral content before social media took over. It sparked plenty of internet drama but kept people entertained for years. The site still exists, though it is not as popular as it used to be.
13. Orkut
Orkut Logo
Orkut was Google’s attempt at social networking and became a hit in countries like Brazil and India. It had fun features, but Facebook’s rise led to its downfall. Google shut it down in 2014, and only memories remain.
14. Xanga
Owner, 犯得上 on Wikimedia Commons
Xanga was where people shared personal blogs, rants, and deep thoughts. It had a dedicated community, but interest dropped when newer platforms like Tumblr became popular. The site still exists, but it is nothing like it once was.
15. LimeWire
Alle-Kalle Projects on Wikimedia Commons
LimeWire was the go-to site for free music downloads, but it came with viruses and legal trouble. Lawsuits led to its shutdown in 2010, but its impact on music sharing was huge. A new version focusing on NFTs has been launched, but it is nothing like the original.
16. MetaCafe
WPNNjourno5 on Wikimedia Commons
MetaCafe was one of the first video-sharing sites, offering short clips before YouTube took over. It had millions of views daily but could not keep up with the competition. The site eventually shut down in 2017.
17. Digg
Digg on Wikimedia Commons
Digg was where people shared and voted on news stories, shaping what was popular online. A redesign made users unhappy, and many switched to Reddit. The site still exists but is not as influential as it once was.
18. StumbleUpon
StumbleUpon, Inc. on Wikimedia Commons
StumbleUpon let users find random websites based on their interests, making browsing more fun. It was popular for years but eventually lost users to social media. The site shut down in 2018, though a similar service called Mix took its place.
19. Grooveshark
Escape Media Group, Inc. on Wikimedia Commons
Grooveshark let users upload and stream music for free, but copyright issues led to its downfall. After years of legal battles, the site shut down in 2015. Unlike other music platforms, it never made a comeback.
20. TheGlobe.com
Globe Telecom on Wikimedia Commons
TheGlobe.com was an early attempt at social networking, letting users create profiles and chat online. It had a massive IPO but quickly collapsed when the internet bubble burst. The site still exists, but only as a static page.