Orkut

Google's social network that dominated Brazil and India before Facebook steamrolled it.

† 2004 – 2014Killed by competitor Died in 2014

Born

2004

Died

2014

Lifespan

10 years

Cause of Death

Killed by competitor

What Happened

Orkut launched in January 2004, created by Google engineer Orkut Büyükkökten. It was an invite-only social network that unexpectedly exploded in popularity in Brazil and India, becoming the dominant social platform in both countries.

At its peak, Orkut had over 300 million users. It introduced features like communities, testimonials, and crush lists that made it feel personal and fun — years before Facebook copied similar ideas.

But Google never gave Orkut the attention it deserved. Facebook aggressively expanded into Brazil and India with localized features, mobile-first design, and a cleaner experience. Orkut's interface felt dated, spam became rampant, and Google's focus shifted to Google+.

In June 2014, Google announced Orkut would shut down on September 30, 2014. Users were given time to export their data, but the communities, friendships, and nostalgia built over a decade vanished overnight.

“Orkut wasn't just a social network in Brazil. It was THE internet.”

— Former Orkut user on Reddit

Last Words — Official Shutdown Notice

“After ten years of sparking conversations and forging connections, we will be saying goodbye to Orkut on September 30, 2014.”