AOL is celebrating its 35th anniversary, and what better way to commemorate than with a look back at how the brand has transformed over the years?
The American web portal and online service was a pioneer in the internet era and its iconic “You’ve Got Mail” phrase has been used in countless pop culture references. But one of its biggest trademarks was its website.
Take a look at the site through the years in the slideshow below:
8PHOTOS
AOL through the years
See Gallery
AOL through the years
1996 marked the first year American Online charged a flat fee for dial-up internet thus marking the beginning of the modern internet era.
Two years later in 1998, AOL ditched its original color scheme and graphics and opted for a sleek and simple look. This version of the homepage didn't feature images and opted to move the right rail verticals to the middle.
Naturally, as we entered the Y2K era, AOL had to make a change. Take a look at its brand new, more colorful look in 2000.
Need a high-speed connection? No problem. AOL's got you covered as the ad on the site's homepage in February 2004 suggests.
Four years after the war in Iraq, vet Adam Kokesh sparked controversy when he appeared in fatigues at an anti-war protest in May 2007. AOL's site also drastically changed in 2007 as it began to explore leading the homepage with top stories of the day.
The early 2010s is when AOL began to experience with more imagery on the site, particularly when referencing an article. As you see on this homepage, a photo taken of the fallen soldier tombstone is used to convey the tragedy of the featured story.
As AOL began to find its stride in 2013, it also started to explore pop culture stories as main headlines. During this time, Jessica Simpson was one of the most popular celebrities hence why the birth of her son lead the site's coverage this particular day.
In May 2018, Sasha Obama broke the internet when a picture of her on the way to her senior prom was shared online. Sasha wasn't the only high-profile child in the news that year, the Prince William and Kate Middleton welcomed a brand new baby boy Louis and revealed photos of the newborn.
