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First Social Network of Millions of Brazilians, Orkut Was a Cultural Phenomenon That Transformed the Way People Interact Online, Creating Bonds, Debates, and Memories That Resist the Test of Time
Orkut was the first social network for millions of Brazilians. For ten years, it was part of the daily lives of those who used the internet to make friends, post messages, and participate in communities.
But on September 30, 2014, Google decided to officially shut down the platform. It was the end of an era that started in 2004 and left a deep mark on the country’s digital memory.
A Project That Became a Phenomenon
Created by Orkut Büyükkökten, an engineer at Google, the site emerged as an experimental project within the company. At the time, employees could use part of their working hours to develop their own ideas.
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The proposal grew quickly. Brazil and India became the countries with the highest number of users, making Orkut a phenomenon on a global scale.
Communities, Messages, and Testimonials
The platform’s operation was simple and engaging. Users created a profile, added photos, personal likes, and joined communities.
These communities ranged from fans of bands and soccer teams to unusual and funny titles, such as “I Wanted Ice Cream, But It Was Beans” or “In the U.S., Even Poor People Speak English.” They were a way to show personality and interests in a light, fun, and even critical manner.
The interactions also stood out. It was possible to leave messages—the famous scraps—or testimonials on friends’ profiles.
This collaborative environment generated engagement and made Orkut an active social network, full of movement and with its own identity. The topics within communities allowed for lengthy discussions, usually well-organized, with rules and moderation.
Problems and First Signs of Decline
But not everything was perfect. With growth came problems. In 2008, the network was targeted by controversies involving the spread of child pornography.
In response, Google entered into a Conduct Adjustment Agreement with the Federal Public Ministry, promising to collaborate with investigations and help track down criminals.
The decline of Orkut began to take shape in 2011. That year, Facebook already had 600 million global users and was starting to dominate the market.
In Brazil, a survey by Ibope showed that Mark Zuckerberg’s network had surpassed Orkut in the number of users. The migration was swift, and many users left the old platform behind in search of the new tools and interfaces offered by the competitor.
The End and Google’s Message
Google itself admitted that its other platforms contributed to the end of Orkut. Tools like YouTube, Blogger, and Google+ took the space of the social network. Consequently, the company decided that it no longer made sense to keep the site active.
In the official shutdown announcement, Paulo Golgher, Google’s engineering director, published a statement saying: “It’s been ten unforgettable years. We apologize to those who still use Orkut regularly.”
Orkut: Legacy of Interactions and Digital Memory
During its ten years of existence, Orkut accumulated impressive numbers. There were 51 million communities, 120 million topics, and over 1 billion interactions. The site even made available a “virtual museum” with the main communities, such as “I Hate Waking Up Early” and “I Love My MOM!”
Even a decade after its end, Orkut remains alive in the memory of those who experienced the early phase of social networks. And for many, it continues to be synonymous with a more innocent and fun internet.
With information from UOL.
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