7 Years of Facebook: A Retrospective
Facebook, one of the biggest websites on the planet, celebrates its seventh anniversary on Friday.
Through the years, the social network has transformed from a college-only social hub to the most popular website in the world. Five hundred million users, billions of pageviews and a never-ending supply of embarrassing status message updates after its launch, we’ve decided to take a trip down memory lane.
Back in February 2004, did anyone have any idea that a college social networking site could redefine the Internet era as we know it? We doubt it.
Mashable created this gallery to highlight the biggest Facebook events (and controversies) over the years.
Share your thoughts on Facebook’s last seven years in the comments — as well as where you think the site will be in the years to come.
2004
February 4, 2004 - TheFacebook.com launches at Harvard University.
June 2004 - The Facebook moves to Palo Alto, California.
September 2004 - The Groups application is added and the Wall makes its debut.
December 2004 - Facebook reaches 1 million users.
Source: Facebook.com
Photo source
2005
August 2005 - TheFacebook becomes Facebook.com.
September 2005 - Facebook expands to high school students.
October 2005 - The Photos application makes its debut.
December 2005 - Facebook reaches 5.5 million users.
Source: Facebook.com
Photo courtesy of Hugues Valentin
2006
April 2006 - Facebook Mobile debuts.
August 2006 - Facebook Platform launches, Notes application debuts, Facebook partners with Microsoft.
September 2006 - Facebook News Feed launches, users revolt against privacy settings. Facebook opens to all users.
December 2006 - Facebook has 12 million users.
Source: Facebook.com
Photo courtesy of the New York Times
2007
May 2008 - Facebook F8 Developer conference launches Facebook Platform and Facebook Apps.
August 2007 - Facebook releases iPhone optimized site.
October 2008 - Facebook Platform for Mobile, Microsoft invests big in Facebook.
November 2007 - Facebook Ads launch, users complain about Beacon.
Source: Facebook.com
Photo courtesy of Hugues Valentin
2008
March 2008 - Facebook adds privacy controls to Friend List.
April 2008 - Facebook launches Facebook Chat.
July 2008 - Facebook Connect debuts and Facebook for iPhone hits the App Store.
September 2008 - New Facebook becomes permanent despite user backlash.
Source: Facebook.com
Photo courtesy of See-ming Lee
2009
February 2009 - Facebook introduces “Like” feature and TOS changes bring controversy.
June 2000 - Facebook usernames launch.
August 2009 - Facebook acquires FriendFeed.
October 2009 - Facebook changes its privacy policy
December 2009 - Facebook has 350 million users.
Source: Facebook.com
Photo courtesy of The Next Web
2010
April 2010 - Open Graph API launches.
May 2010 - Facebook privacy issues reach overdrive.
July 2010 - Facebook reaches 500 million users.
August 2010 - Facebook Places launches, privacy concerns grow.
October 2010 - The Social Network debuts to rave reviews.
December 2010 - Time magazine names Mark Zuckerberg “Person of the Year.”
Source: Facebook.com
Photo courtesy of Mathew Sanders
2011
January 2011 - Facebook valued at $50 billion.
The Social Network sweeps Golden Globes.
Facebook Turns 7!
