Biology of Business

Friendster

Social Media · Founded 2002 · Defunct 2015

By Alex Denne

Friendster's decline from social network pioneer to footnote demonstrates how first-mover advantage can be squandered. Technical failures during growth (slow loading, crashed servers) drove users to MySpace and then Facebook. Like a species that discovers a new niche but can't defend it, Friendster created the social network market then lost it entirely.

Key Leaders at Friendster

Jonathan Abrams

Founder

Key Facts

2002
Founded