If you were active on the internet during the early 2000s, you probably remember Myspace – the social networking site that was once one of the most popular websites in the world. At  its peak, Myspace had over 75 million users, however, over the years, Myspace lost its popularity & relevance, and is now a mere shadow of its former self.

What is Myspace?

Myspace was founded in 2003 by Tom Anderson & Chris DeWolfe, and quickly became one of the most popular social networking sites in the world. Myspace allowed users to create profiles, connect with friends, and share music and other media. The site’s early success was fueled by its emphasis on music, and many bands & musicians used Myspace as a platform to promote their music and connect with fans.

Myspace’s popularity peaked in the mid-2000s, when it was the most visited social networking site in the world. However, the site’s rapid growth also led to a number of problems. Myspace was often criticised for being cluttered and difficult to navigate, and the site’s open design made it vulnerable to spam and other forms of abuse.

In addition, Myspace faced increasing competition from Facebook, which launched in 2004 and quickly gained popularity among college students and other early adopters. Facebook’s clean design and emphasis on privacy and security made it an attractive alternative to Myspace, which was seen as less user-friendly and less secure.

In a Go Social article it was stated that “Facebook differed from MySpace in that it adhered to Triadic closure, a principle that says if two people in a social network have a friend in common, then there is an increased chance that they will become friends at some point in the future. MySpace was a hangout site for pre-existing friends, whereas Facebook encouraged users to meet and engage with people they didn’t know” (Go Social, n.d.).

As Facebook continued to grow, Myspace’s popularity began to decline. The site struggled to keep up with Facebook’s innovations, and its once-loyal user base began to drift away. In 2008, Myspace attempted to rebrand itself as a music-focused social network, however the move was largely unsuccessful, and the site continued to lose users and relevance. In 2011, Myspace was sold to Specific Media for just $35 million – a far cry from the site’s estimated value of $12 billion at its peak, and since then, Myspace has undergone a number of changes and rebranding’s.

Where is Myspace now?

Today, Myspace is a far cry from the social networking giant it once was. The site still exists, however is largely focused on music, and is used primarily by independent artists and musicians. Myspace has also undergone a number of redesigns over the years, and the site’s current design bears little resemblance to the Myspace of the mid-2000s.

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References

Go Social. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.gosocial.co/facebook-vs-myspace-how-did-facebook-beat-the-competition/  [Accessed 19 Apr. 2023].