Research summary
Research summary
Topic summary
The early web faded because mass audiences willingly traded technical friction and unmoderated chaos for turnkey utility.
Key research questions
- Investigate "What Happened to the Internet We Used to Know?" from this distinct point of divergence: Consumer Demand and Democratization.
Important claims and supporting citations
In 2014, 42% of smartphone app time occurred within each user's single most-used app, and 65% of smartphone users downloaded zero new apps in an average month.
By July 2016, smartphone apps alone accounted for over 50% of total U.S. digital-media time spent, excluding tablet apps and mobile browsers.
The Internet Archive mounted an emergency preservation project prior to GeoCities' October 2009 shutdown and later released the rescued archives via a large torrent.
Mobile-app time surpassed desktop-computer time in the U.S. in early 2014, reaching 52% of all U.S. digital engagement by June 2014.
AOL announced in 2006 that it would open most of its previously subscription-only services and content for free to broadband users.
AOL reached roughly 27 million subscribers at its peak in 2002.
Apple launched the App Store on July 10, 2008, with 500 applications.
By 2023, the Apple App Store had over 1.8 million apps and facilitated $1.1 trillion in developer billings and sales in 2022.
View all claims (text)
Claims
Claim text is for reading and citation. Bulk copying and AI training need a licensed maps data API key. Markdown
In 2011, about two-thirds of social-media users cited staying in touch with current friends and family as a m…
In 2011, about two-thirds of social-media users cited staying in touch with current friends and family as a major reason for usage, while only 9% cited making new friends.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
Global internet use expanded from roughly 1 billion people in 2005 to 5.4 billion in 2023.
Global internet use expanded from roughly 1 billion people in 2005 to 5.4 billion in 2023.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
The Internet Archive mounted an emergency preservation project prior to GeoCities' October 2009 shutdown and…
The Internet Archive mounted an emergency preservation project prior to GeoCities' October 2009 shutdown and later released the rescued archives via a large torrent.
Labels: Source-linked, Low, known
In a 1997 web-user survey of 10,109 self-selected respondents, 46% reported having created at least one websi…
In a 1997 web-user survey of 10,109 self-selected respondents, 46% reported having created at least one website.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
By 2021, 15% of U.S.
By 2021, 15% of U.S. adults relied solely on smartphones for internet access.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
Facebook reached 100 million monthly active users in August 2008 and 1 billion monthly active users by Octobe…
Facebook reached 100 million monthly active users in August 2008 and 1 billion monthly active users by October 2012.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
Automattic launched WordPress.com in 2005 to provide hosted blogging services without requiring manual server…
Automattic launched WordPress.com in 2005 to provide hosted blogging services without requiring manual server or database configuration.
Labels: Source-linked, Low, known
Google acquired Blogger in February 2003.
Google acquired Blogger in February 2003.
Labels: Source-linked, Low, known
Facebook became the leading social network among American adults by August 2009.
Facebook became the leading social network among American adults by August 2009.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
Technorati founder Dave Sifry estimated in 2005 that approximately 45% of the blogosphere consisted of abando…
Technorati founder Dave Sifry estimated in 2005 that approximately 45% of the blogosphere consisted of abandoned blogs.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
AOL Subscription Changes
AOL Subscription Changes
Labels: Inferred, Low
Rise of Mobile App Usage Time
Rise of Mobile App Usage Time
Labels: Inferred, Low
U.S. Smartphone Ownership Growth
U.S. Smartphone Ownership Growth
Labels: Inferred, Low
Technorati 2008 Blog Statistics
Technorati 2008 Blog Statistics
Labels: Inferred, Low
Facebook Public Launch and News Feed
Facebook Public Launch and News Feed
Labels: Inferred, Low
Apple App Store Growth and Metrics
Apple App Store Growth and Metrics
Labels: Inferred, Low
Adoption of Social Networks by U.S. Teenagers
Adoption of Social Networks by U.S. Teenagers
Labels: Inferred, Low
Decline in Youth Blogging
Decline in Youth Blogging
Labels: Inferred, Low
Blogging among U.S.
Blogging among U.S. internet users ages 18–29 dropped from 24% in December 2007 to 15% in 2009, while blogging among users over 30 grew from 7% in 2006 to 11% in 2009.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
In Technorati’s 2008 international survey, 79% of blog respondents self-identified as personal bloggers.
In Technorati’s 2008 international survey, 79% of blog respondents self-identified as personal bloggers.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
Facebook opened registration to the general public on September 26, 2006, dropping its college email requirem…
Facebook opened registration to the general public on September 26, 2006, dropping its college email requirement.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
Facebook's monthly active users grew from 1.228 billion on December 31, 2013, to 1.860 billion on December 31…
Facebook's monthly active users grew from 1.228 billion on December 31, 2013, to 1.860 billion on December 31, 2016.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
By late 2006, 55% of online U.S.
By late 2006, 55% of online U.S. teenagers maintained profiles on social networking services such as MySpace or Facebook.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
AOL reached roughly 27 million subscribers at its peak in 2002.
AOL reached roughly 27 million subscribers at its peak in 2002.
Labels: Source-linked, Low, known
Apple launched the App Store on July 10, 2008, with 500 applications.
Apple launched the App Store on July 10, 2008, with 500 applications.
Labels: Source-linked, Low, known
In May 2011, 35% of U.S.
In May 2011, 35% of U.S. adults owned smartphones, and approximately 60% of those owners accessed social-networking sites via their phones.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
Between 2006 and 2009, the percentage of online U.S.
Between 2006 and 2009, the percentage of online U.S. teenagers maintaining blogs decreased from 28% to 14%.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
Technorati reported in 2008 that it had indexed 133 million blogs created since 2002.
Technorati reported in 2008 that it had indexed 133 million blogs created since 2002.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
Mobile-app time surpassed desktop-computer time in the U.S.
Mobile-app time surpassed desktop-computer time in the U.S. in early 2014, reaching 52% of all U.S. digital engagement by June 2014.
Labels: Source-linked, Low, known
In 2014, 42% of smartphone app time occurred within each user's single most-used app, and 65% of smartphone u…
In 2014, 42% of smartphone app time occurred within each user's single most-used app, and 65% of smartphone users downloaded zero new apps in an average month.
Labels: Source-linked, Low, known
Apple's App Store achieved over 10 million downloads within its first three days following its July 2008 laun…
Apple's App Store achieved over 10 million downloads within its first three days following its July 2008 launch, offering more than 800 native apps.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
By February 2008, 65% of U.S.
By February 2008, 65% of U.S. teenagers ages 12–17 used online social networks, increasing from 55% in 2006.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
By July 2016, smartphone apps alone accounted for over 50% of total U.S.
By July 2016, smartphone apps alone accounted for over 50% of total U.S. digital-media time spent, excluding tablet apps and mobile browsers.
Labels: Source-linked, Low, known
Facebook launched the News Feed in September 2006.
Facebook launched the News Feed in September 2006.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
The percentage of U.S.
The percentage of U.S. teen social-network users commenting on friends' blogs declined from 76% in 2006 to 52% in 2009.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known
AOL announced in 2006 that it would open most of its previously subscription-only services and content for fr…
AOL announced in 2006 that it would open most of its previously subscription-only services and content for free to broadband users.
Labels: Source-linked, Low, known
By 2023, the Apple App Store had over 1.8 million apps and facilitated $1.1 trillion in developer billings an…
By 2023, the Apple App Store had over 1.8 million apps and facilitated $1.1 trillion in developer billings and sales in 2022.
Labels: Source-linked, Low, known
An average of 1.15 billion people accessed Facebook on mobile devices each day in December 2016, representing…
An average of 1.15 billion people accessed Facebook on mobile devices each day in December 2016, representing a 23% increase from the prior year.
Labels: Inferred, Low, known