The owners of famous early social network Myspace plan to bring back the platform without confusing computer algorithms.
A famous old internet website that used to be the biggest online gathering place for young people around the world is preparing to make a surprising comeback. Myspace, the original social networking website that allowed users to share music, write blog posts, and rank their top friends, is being prepared for a total relaunch by its current owners. The announcement came early this month in August through a new documentary film that looks back at how the internet used to be before modern social platforms took over daily life.
The decision to bring back the famous brand is being led by business owners Tim Vanderhook and Chris Vanderhook, who bought the website back in 2011 after big media companies began moving away from it. The owners say that today’s popular apps rely too heavily on hidden computer programs called algorithms that keep people staring at phone screens for many hours every day. Instead of feeding users endless videos chosen by automated computer code, the owners want to create a relaxed online space where people can naturally discover new music, make real friends, and customize their personal pages just like they did twenty years ago.
Speaking about their long-term plan to bring the website back to life, company owner Tim Vanderhook explained that “we still own Myspace. We are stewards of the Myspace brand at this point, and we are going to relaunch Myspace.” He emphasized their commitment to making the platform work again, adding that “we’re just waiting for the right time to do it. And if that one doesn’t work, we’ll do it again.”
Reflecting on why earlier attempts to modernize the platform were difficult, Tim Vanderhook noted that “we really tried to modernize it, but it was a different company at that point. It wasn’t the same Myspace.” The owners believe that public mood has changed today because millions of everyday users are tired of addictive computer feeds and constant online pressure.
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The idea of bringing back an older, simpler internet platform is also supported by early internet pioneers who helped build the original site. Chris DeWolfe, one of the original co-founders of Myspace, pointed out how modern social apps make people feel stressed and anxious compared to earlier websites. Explaining the problem with modern online platforms, Chris DeWolfe stated that “I do think the algorithms have a lot to do with the addictive nature of social media. Everything’s programmed to you and what you’re going to like, with the complete and total notion of increasing the amount of minutes that you’re going to spend on a particular social media site.”
He added that older internet platforms did not force people to constantly compare their lives with others, noting that “it wasn’t about the whole fear of missing out aspect of life. That’s what’s making people feel poorly and giving some people lower self-esteem on some of the current social media sites.” While the company has not given an exact launch date for when people can sign up for new accounts, tech experts say a revived Myspace could offer a refreshing break for people who want a simpler, safer online experience without high-pressure algorithms.
