MySpace
First social network to reach a global audience.
Myspace is an American social networking service that launched on August 1, 2003. It was the first social network to reach a global audience and had a significant influence on technology, pop culture, and music, playing a critical role in the early growth of companies like YouTube, while independent platforms such as Zynga, RockYou, and Photobucket thrived alongside it.
- sold_to_Time_Inc
- February 2016 for $87 million (from Specific Media and Justin Timberlake)
Lore & Background
Myspace was created in August 2003 by eUniverse employees who saw potential in Friendster's social networking features. Within ten days, the first version was launched using ColdFusion, overseen by Brad Greenspan and managed by Chris DeWolfe, Josh Berman, Tom Anderson, and a team of programmers. The first users were eUniverse employees, and the company used its 20 million users and email subscribers to rapidly grow the site. A key architect, Toan Nguyen, helped stabilize the platform, while co-founder Aber Whitcomb utilized ColdFusion's development speed to outpace competitors like Friendster.
In July 2005, News Corporation acquired Myspace for $580 million. By June 2006, it surpassed Yahoo Mail and Google Search to become the most visited website in the United States. At its peak in April 2008, Myspace had 115 million monthly visitors, though Facebook had about the same number of visitors with somewhat more global users. In May 2009, Facebook surpassed Myspace in unique U.S. visitors, and user numbers declined steadily thereafter despite several redesigns.
Myspace was sold multiple times: in June 2011 to Specific Media Group and Justin Timberlake for $35 million; in February 2016 to Time Inc. for $87 million; and in November 2019, Meredith Corporation sold Myspace to Viant Technology LLC.
Reader's Guide
Myspace's significance lies in its role as the first social network to achieve global reach, fundamentally shaping online social interaction and digital culture. It pioneered user-customizable profiles, which allowed individuals to express identity through background and page design, and became a crucial platform for musicians and artists to gain exposure. The site's developer platform launched companies like Zynga, RockYou, and Photobucket, and its advertising deal with Google in 2006 guaranteed $900 million over three years, highlighting the economic potential of social media. Myspace's rapid rise and subsequent decline illustrate the volatile nature of the tech industry, where early dominance can be quickly overtaken by competitors like Facebook. Its legacy includes influencing the design and business models of later social networks and demonstrating the power of user-generated content. Despite losing market share, Myspace's impact on music, pop culture, and the early internet economy remains notable.
Did You Know?
- Myspace was the first social network to reach a global audience.
- In June 2006, Myspace surpassed Yahoo Mail and Google Search to become the most visited website in the United States.
- At its peak in April 2008, Myspace had 115 million monthly visitors.
- Myspace was acquired by News Corporation in July 2005 for $580 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MySpace?
MySpace is an American social networking site that went live on August 1, 2003. It was the first social network to build a user base that spanned the entire globe.
Why is MySpace a big deal in internet culture?
It reshaped how people shared music, built online identities, and discovered new artists during the mid-2000s. Its platform also served as a launchpad that helped smaller services like YouTube, Zynga, RockYou, and Photobucket find their early audiences.
How did MySpace's ownership end?
In February 2016, the platform was sold to Time Inc for $87 million by its then-owners, Specific Media and Justin Timberlake. That transaction effectively closed the chapter on MySpace as a standalone social network.
What role did MySpace play in the music world?
It gave unsigned and independent musicians a free, global stage to upload tracks and connect directly with fans. This helped shift the industry's power away from traditional gatekeepers and toward artists themselves.
When did MySpace launch?
The site officially went live on August 1, 2003. It quickly grew into the most visited social platform of its era before eventually being overtaken by competitors.
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