The article also highlights Metafilter's unique features and ethos, including its strictly chronological feed, text-only format, and the absence of influencers selling personally branded products. It also discusses the site's "Ask Metafilter" feature, where members seek advice from the community, and its tradition of marking a death with a single period. Despite its numbers being nowhere near its heyday, Metafilter continues to attract new members and remains a rare survivor of the early internet that has maintained its heartbeat and kept its dignity.
Key takeaways:
- Metafilter, a social network for non-friends, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The site has survived thanks to Jessamyn West, who helped stabilize it after a near-death spiral.
- The site was initially a quick way for people to share cool stuff they saw on a few dozen key blogs, but quickly evolved into a community where smart people also discussed what was cool on the internet.
- Metafilter suffered collateral damage from Google's spam-fighting changes to its ranking algorithms in 2012, leading to a plunge in revenue and layoffs. However, it has managed to survive and is currently working on a long-overdue rewrite of its ancient infrastructure.
- Despite the challenges, Metafilter has maintained its heartbeat and kept its dignity, with a goal to pay for itself. It is seen as a rare survivor of the early internet that has preserved the spirit of what online used to be like.