More than 10 years ago, the Hi5 website (Hi5) was extremely popular, especially when compared to today’s giants like Facebook and Instagram. Hi5 represented the first generation of social networking websites, gaining immense popularity among teenagers. Users could edit pictures, enhance the aesthetics of their pages, and even add music, all organized through the HTML system. Additionally, the platform allowed users to track who visited their pages, making it a pioneer in the social networking scene. It can be described as the epitome of “Social Entertainment” for teenagers in that era. Let me tell you, it was quite chaotic!

Explore the history of Hi5

Hi5, a social networking site established in 2003 by Ramu Yalamanchi and headquartered in San Francisco, California, quickly rose to popularity in the early 2000s. Serving as one of the pioneers in the social networking arena, Hi5 garnered a massive user base, particularly in Latin America and Southeast Asia. Over the years, it played a significant role in shaping the online social landscape. Despite facing increased competition and evolving trends, Hi5 left an indelible mark on the history of social networking.

Founding and Early Years (2003-2007):

Hi5 was launched in 2003 with the aim of connecting people and facilitating social interactions online.
In its early years, Hi5 gained traction as it offered users the ability to create profiles, connect with friends, share photos, and play games.
The platform’s popularity grew, and it became one of the leading social networking sites globally.

Global Expansion (2008-2010):

In 2008, Hi5 experienced significant growth and expanded its user base internationally, particularly in countries like Mexico, Peru, Thailand, and the Philippines.
The platform introduced features such as virtual gifts and games, enhancing the user experience and engagement.

Challenges and Decline (2011 onwards):

As Facebook emerged as the dominant player in the social media landscape, Hi5 began to lose its user base.
Despite its earlier success, Hi5 faced increasing competition from other social networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
The company underwent several changes in leadership and strategy in an attempt to stay relevant.

Shift to Social Discovery and Mobile (2012-2014):

Hi5 underwent a transformation in 2012, repositioning itself as a social discovery site with a focus on meeting new people rather than connecting with existing friends.
The platform also shifted its emphasis towards mobile usage, adapting to the changing trends in online social interactions.

Acquisition by The Meet Group (2011-2019):

In 2011, Hi5 was acquired by The Meet Group, a company specializing in social discovery and dating apps.
The Meet Group continued to operate Hi5 as a separate platform, incorporating features from its other successful apps.

Closure and Rebranding (2020):

In 2020, The Meet Group announced that Hi5 would be shut down, and users were encouraged to migrate to other platforms within The Meet Group’s portfolio.
The closure marked the end of an era for Hi5 as a standalone social networking platform.

In conclusion, is Hi5 still available?

As of now, Hi5 continues to serve as a platform for engaging in social media activities in a similar manner. Meanwhile, Facebook has phased out and ceased to exist independently. Instead, it was acquired and transformed into the Tagged website. Users who were accustomed to Hi5 can still access the Tagged system using their old passwords. This transition marks a notable shift in the social media landscape, showcasing the dynamic nature of online platforms and how they evolve over time.

Based on: https://www.nine.com.au/