Evolution of Social Media Platforms

Six Degrees

1997

Six Degrees, one of the first social media platforms, launched. It allowed users to create profiles,
list friends, and browse connections. Boyd, D. M., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1)

Friendster

Mar 22, 2002

Friendster launched, allowing users to make connections and share content with friends. O’Murchu, I., Breslin, J. G., & Decker, S. (2004).

MySpace

Aug 1, 2003

MySpace launched, popular for music and creative content sharing. Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2010).

Facebook

Feb 4, 2004

Facebook launched as a Harvard-only network, later expanding globally and overtaking MySpace. Kirkpatrick, D. (2010).

Twitter

Mar 21, 2006

Twitter introduced microblogging with a 140-character limit and hashtags. Zhao, D., & Rosson, M. B. (2009).

Instagram

Oct 6, 2010

Instagram launched, focusing on photo-sharing and visual content. Hochman, N., & Schwartz, R. (2012).

Snapchat

Sep 16, 2011

Snapchat launched, featuring disappearing messages and ephemeral content. Bayer, J. B., Ellison, N. B., Schoenebeck, S. Y., & Falk, E. B. (2016).

TikTok(Douyin)

Sep 20, 2016

TikTok (Douyin in China) Abidin, C. (2020).

TikTok(TikTok International)

Sep 14, 2017

TikTok was launched internationally (outside of China) on September 14, 2017. This marked the global release of TikTok after Douyin's success in China. Abidin, C. (2020).

TikTok (U.S. Launch)

Aug 2, 2018

TikTok launched internationally, becoming one of the most popular platforms for short video
content. Abidin, C. (2020).