Survey Finds Myspace is America’s Most-Missed Website

The early internet era brings feelings of nostalgia for those who experienced it firsthand. There is something to be said about its original HTML magic — iconic platforms such as Ask Jeeves, Myspace, eBaum’s World, and Xanga defined an entire generation’s online experience.

We surveyed over 1,000 Americans to learn all about their internet nostalgia, examining which websites they miss, why they miss them, and what’s changed. Results point to both negative and positive changes in the old internet vs. today, but the consensus is clear: America misses the early internet!

An overwhelming 81% of Americans surveyed report feeling nostalgic for the early internet days. Unsurprisingly, millennials lead this wave of internet nostalgia, with nearly two-thirds (63%) missing the early online world.

Generation X follows at 30%, having witnessed both the internet’s infancy and its evolution into the digital landscape we now know.

Nearly 4 in 5 (76%) people surveyed report that they would use their favorite older website if it came back. From most to least popular, the most-missed websites include:

1. Myspace
2. AOL/Instant Messenger
3. Napster
4. Limewire
5. Yahoo!

When asked what they miss most from the early internet, Americans consistently point to less commercialization. The top annoyance for 62% of respondents is today’s abundance of spam and AI-generated content.

“I remember a time when I’d literally sit down with multiple people next to me to browse the internet. It was a more physically social experience back then, where you’d buckle up to enjoy this digital world of wonder together. I could chat about music or movies or school with friends on AIM without being bombarded with political posts or influencers trying to sell me something,” said HostingAdvice tech expert Joe Warnimont.

In second place, 46% said they yearn for an era when political discussions weren’t as prevalent in digital spaces. Americans also miss having less interference from algorithms, fewer ads and influencers, and simplistic design and navigation.

Joe added, “I would laugh at my friends’ poorly lit photos on Myspace without curated content trying so so hard to push merchandise or sex or health and wellness garbage. I could even play malware roulette trying to download the latest Blink-182 album on Limewire, all without the worries of advertisers fighting for my eyeballs. It wasn’t all good, but let’s put it this way: The old internet was like walking through a giant digital library full of information and sharing. Today, the internet is more akin to a marketplace of sellers saying, ‘Look here! Buy this! Get mad at this!’”

Much has changed in how the online universe looks, feels, and functions. Nearly 2 in 5 Americans believe the early internet fostered meaningful interactions, with 37% stating it provided better opportunities for connection. The top reasons why include that people weren’t using the internet to profit, there was a more accepting culture, and people felt more anonymous.

For similar reasons, 55% of respondents believe the early internet was more creative than today. They noted the popularity of personalized websites, a more accepting culture, and feelings of anonymity.

In terms of interface, 64% said they welcome the shift from text-heavy websites to visual and video-based content. Yet, a majority (51%) express dissatisfaction with the movement from traditional websites to mobile apps.

How did the early internet impact our modern lives? Most Americans (9 in 10) report that early internet experiences shaped their current online behavior. Some might even say we’re addicted, with respondents spending an average of six hours online each day.

More than half (58%) said they consider website browsing to be a top leisure activity. The early internet also plays a role in personal development, with 53% crediting early websites for helping them discover hobbies or interests, and half of all respondents noting that these platforms influenced their music and video consumption.

The internet did more than change how people spent their time — it transformed how they explore, learn, and engage with their interests.

Our survey reveals a complex relationship between Americans and their digital past. People yearn for an online world that feels more personal and less commercialized, where self-expression and genuine connection overshadowed algorithms and advertising.

While today’s internet offers new technologies and convenience, many miss the creative freedom and community interactions of the old days. We shouldn’t lose sight of the human elements that made the early internet so fun!

In November 2024, we surveyed 1,001 Americans to understand why they miss the early internet and what they feel has changed. The age range of respondents was 26 to 76 with an average age of 43 years old. Respondents identified as 48% female, 49% male, and 2% non-binary.

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