Social Media Infancy
Recognized as the first social media site, this platform was founded in 1996 and named after the idea that any two people are connected by six or fewer connections.
Six Degrees
In 2004, this platform was launched by Mark Zuckerberg, turning him into one of the most famous people on the planet while reshaping how we connect online.
Launched in 2010, this app started as a geolocation service but quickly realized that pictures—especially ones with filters—could drive more traffic than showing where you were.
In this media model everyone can be both a broadcaster and a listener, picking and choosing who they follow—and who follows them back, like a never-ending game of social tag.
Many-to-many
These sites let you connect with others over shared interests, whether it’s debating movies, swapping restaurant tips, or solving your broken garbage disposal—no expertise required, just enthusiasm!
Social Networking Sites
This early 2000s social site attracted teens and young adults eager to connect with peers online, quickly amassing millions of users but ultimately declining by 2006
Friendster
Originally meant to be a dating site, this platform became a video-sharing giant after its creators realized the internet had no place for a certain wardrobe malfunction during the 2004 Super Bowl.
YouTube
Launched in 2011, this app let users send photos and videos that disappear in 10 seconds.
On social media, users can customize their newsfeed like a grocery list, picking and choosing exactly which reporters, influencers, or brands to follow, while skipping the ones they don’t need.
Individualization
These sites let users collect and distribute everything from memes to homemade videos, turning your digital scrapbook into a platform for others to like, comment, and share.
Content Sharing Sites
This social media titan let users show off their personality with custom pages and music but couldn’t survive the $580 million "News Corp curse" in 2005 and ended up with Justin Timberlake for a bargain $35 million in 2011.
MySpace
Started in 2006 as a way to text your friends in 140 characters or less and found new uses for the "@" and "#" symbols.
This tiny digital icon took texting to a new level by expressing emotions, thoughts, and friendship statuses.
Emojis
Forget fashion magazines! These social media superstars have the power to set trends and influence opinions more than seasoned journalists—because they’re trusted by their followers.
Influencers
These platforms let users turn their thoughts into content, starting as digital diaries but eventually becoming a go-to for expertise, advice, and the occasional rant.
Blogs
Launched in 2001, this was the first social media platform to let professionals network, share ideas, and find job opportunities.
Ryze
In 2022, Elon Musk bought this platform and rebranded this platform for $44 billion, tried to charge for blue checkmarks, and promptly saw 1.3 million users bail—proving that even billionaire entrepreneurs can’t always tweet their way to success.
X
This app let you share six-second, looped videos that became a hit for their quick, imperfect content—until it was suddenly gone, leaving us all wondering if six seconds was ever really enough.
Vine
These digital trendsetters craft everything from videos to blogs, turning their passions into online empires, and sometimes getting paid in likes and sponsored posts.
Content Creators
A place where users can ask anything, from life advice to niche questions, and engage in spirited debates—sometimes even involving upvotes and downvotes.
Discussion Forums
Launched by former PayPal stars in 2003, this site turned résumé posting and professional networking into an $8 billion business, adding users faster than you can say "career advancement."
In 2006, this tech giant acquired YouTube, turning it into a video-watching empire with 5 billion daily views and 300 hours of new content uploaded every minute.
This app took short videos to a whole new level with music, lip-syncing, and viral challenges, turning into a global sensation after merging with Musical.ly and rebranding in 2017.
TikTok
This term describes someone who’s become famous by posting photos, but without needing a Hollywood agent—just a lot of hashtags and perfect lighting.
Insta-Famous
These online spaces let you check out ratings for everything from restaurants to resorts, where users give the unfiltered truth, often with a side of photos.
Consumer Review Sites