History of Myspace in Timeline

Myspace was a pioneering social networking service launched in 2003. It achieved global reach, becoming the largest social network from 2005 to 2009. It significantly impacted technology, pop culture, and music. Myspace also served as an early platform, facilitating the growth of companies like YouTube, Zynga, RockYou, and Photobucket, contributing to the early development of the social web.

2002: MySpace.com Intended Use

Until 2002, the MySpace.com domain was intended for use as an online data storage and sharing site by YourZ.com, Inc.

June 2003: Jeffrey Edell Appointed Chairman of Intermix Media

In June 2003, just prior to the launch of MySpace, Jeffrey Edell was appointed as chairman of Intermix Media, the parent company.

August 1, 2003: Myspace Launched

On August 1, 2003, Myspace, a social networking service, was launched. It became the first social network to reach a global audience, influencing technology, pop culture, and music, and playing a role in the growth of companies like YouTube and Zynga.

August 2003: MySpace Development

In August 2003, eUniverse employees created the first version of MySpace within 10 days, using ColdFusion, mimicking features from Friendster.

2003: Transition to Social Networking Site

By late 2003, the MySpace.com domain, initially intended for online data storage, transitioned into a social networking site.

February 2005: MySpace Rejects Facebook Acquisition Offer

In February 2005, MySpace rejected Mark Zuckerberg's offer to sell Facebook to them for $75 million, a decision that would later be viewed as a missed opportunity.

July 2005: News Corporation Purchases MySpace

In July 2005, News Corporation acquired MySpace for US$580 million, outbidding Viacom and viewing it as a strategic investment in Internet advertising.

January 2006: Fox Announces UK Version of MySpace

In January 2006, Fox announced plans to launch a UK version of MySpace, expanding its international presence.

January 2006: MySpace Growth in Early 2006

In January 2006, MySpace was signing up 200,000 new users a day, indicating a period of rapid growth.

June 2006: Myspace Becomes Most Visited Website in the U.S.

In June 2006, Myspace surpassed Yahoo and Google to become the most visited website in the United States, marking a peak in its popularity.

August 9, 2006: 100 Millionth MySpace Account Created

On August 9, 2006, the 100 millionth MySpace account was created in the Netherlands, marking a significant milestone.

October 2006: MySpace Revenue Growth

By October 2006, MySpace had grown to generating $30 million in revenue per month, half of which came from the Google deal.

November 2006: Myspace Announces Joint Venture with Softbank

In November 2006, Myspace announced a 50-50 joint venture with Softbank to launch the site in Japan, further expanding its international reach.

2006: Investigation into Children's Exposure to Pornography on MySpace

In 2006, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal launched an investigation into children's exposure to pornography on MySpace, leading to a negative reputation.

2006: MySpace's Strongest Audience

In 2006, teenagers were MySpace's strongest audience, contributing to the platform's peak popularity.

July 2007: MySpace's European Dominance

By July 2007, Nielsen//NetRatings reported that MySpace's active reach was significantly higher than Facebook's in several European countries, highlighting its dominance in Europe.

November 1, 2007: MySpace Joins OpenSocial Alliance

On November 1, 2007, MySpace joined the Google-led OpenSocial alliance, aiming to promote common standards for software developers for social networks.

2007: MySpace Leading Social Network

By late 2007, MySpace was the leading social networking site, consistently outperforming Facebook in traffic.

2007: MySpace Partners with Sony BMG

In 2007, MySpace partnered with Sony BMG to put music directly on the platform, leveraging its user base and Sony's music content.

2007: MySpace's Strongest Audience

In 2007, teenagers were MySpace's strongest audience, contributing to the platform's peak popularity.

2007: MySpace Valued at $12 Billion

In 2007, when News Corporation considered merging it with Yahoo!, Myspace was valued at $12 billion and had more than 300 million registered users, marking a peak in its perceived value.

April 2008: Myspace Peak Visitors

In April 2008, Myspace reached its peak with 115 million monthly visitors. Facebook had a similar number of visitors at the time, but more global users.

April 19, 2008: Facebook Overtakes MySpace in Alexa Rankings

On April 19, 2008, Facebook overtook MySpace in Alexa rankings, indicating a shift in popularity.

2008: MySpace Leading Social Network

Into 2008, MySpace was considered the leading social networking site, consistently beating out its main competitor Facebook in traffic.

March 2009: Catalyst for Management Shakeup

In March 2009, A meeting at News Corporation over the direction of MySpace reportedly was the catalyst for management shakeup

April 2009: MySpace Executive Team Shakeup

In April 2009, Jonathan Miller shuffled MySpace's executive team, replacing Chris DeWolfe with Owen Van Natta as CEO.

May 2009: Facebook Surpasses MySpace in U.S. Visitors

In May 2009, Facebook surpassed MySpace in the number of unique U.S. visitors, contributing to MySpace's consistent loss of membership.

May 2009: Facebook Surpasses Myspace

In May 2009, Facebook surpassed Myspace in the number of unique U.S. visitors, signaling a decline for Myspace.

June 2009: MySpace Layoffs and Executive Departures

In June 2009, MySpace underwent a layoff of 37.5% of its workforce and key executives departed, reflecting internal challenges.

June 2009: Myspace Workforce in June 2009

In June 2009, Myspace had approximately 1,600 employees, representing its operational capacity at the time.

2009: MySpace Site Redesigns

In 2009, MySpace implemented site redesigns in an attempt to get users back, but it may have backfired due to user resistance to changes.

June 2010: Specific Media Group and Justin Timberlake Purchase Myspace

In June 2010, Specific Media Group and Justin Timberlake jointly purchased Myspace for approximately $35 million, marking a significant change in ownership.

2012: Focus on Monetization over Long-Term Strategy

In 2012, Katz described how News Corporation had put significant pressure on MySpace to focus on near-term monetization, as opposed to thinking about long-term product strategy.

February 11, 2016: Time Inc. Acquires Myspace

On February 11, 2016, Myspace and its parent company were purchased by Time Inc. for $87 million, representing another change in ownership.

January 31, 2018: Meredith Corporation Purchases Time Inc.

On January 31, 2018, Time Inc. was purchased by Meredith Corporation, impacting Myspace's ownership structure.

November 4, 2019: Viant Technology LLC Acquires Myspace

On November 4, 2019, Meredith spun off Myspace and sold it to Viant Technology LLC, marking the latest change in ownership.

2019: Myspace Monthly Visitors in 2019

As of 2019, Myspace had seven million monthly visitors, a significant drop from its peak years.

2022: Myspace radio player ceases functioning

In early 2022, the Myspace radio player, which previously allowed users to stream various channels via the Myspace desktop website, stopped functioning.