ICQ: The End of an Era in Instant Messaging
ICQ, one of the earliest and most popular instant messaging services, recently announced that it will be shutting down after 27 years of operation. The platform, developed by Israeli company Mirabilis and launched in November 1996, played a significant role in shaping the internet landscape.
ICQ, short for “I Seek You,” quickly gained popularity among early adopters of the internet. Its user-friendly interface and innovative features made it a hit, attracting millions of users worldwide. In 1998, AOL recognized the potential of ICQ and acquired the company for a staggering $287 million upfront payment, followed by an additional $120 million based on performance.
At its peak in 2001, ICQ boasted over 100 million users, a remarkable achievement considering the limited reach of the internet at the time. However, as social media platforms like Facebook gained prominence, instant messaging services began to lose their appeal. The accessibility and convenience offered by Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp on mobile devices further contributed to the decline of ICQ and its competitors.
MSN Messenger was the first to succumb to the changing tides, closing its doors in 2014, followed by AIM in 2017 and Yahoo Messenger in 2018. Yet, ICQ managed to survive through these challenging times. In 2010, AOL sold ICQ to VK, a Russia-based social media platform, for $187.5 million. This acquisition allowed ICQ to maintain a dedicated user base outside of the United States, especially in countries like China and Russia.
Despite its resilience, signs of ICQ’s eventual demise started to emerge. Its mobile apps disappeared from major app stores around 2022, leaving only the web-based platform and desktop apps available for use. These apps received no updates for over a year, indicating that VK might be phasing out the service.
With ICQ’s closure, the era of instant messaging officially comes to an end. The once-thriving industry has been replaced by more feature-rich and integrated communication platforms offered by social media giants. However, ICQ’s official Twitter account seems to be embracing its final days with a touch of humor. The account posted GIFs from the movie Terminator 2, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous line, “I’ll be back,” hinting at the possibility of a future reimagining or revival.
As we bid farewell to ICQ, we can’t help but appreciate its pioneering role in connecting people online. It paved the way for instant messaging as we know it today and will always hold a special place in internet history.
