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Ten fun facts about Fotolog, a famous 2000s photo network | Social networks

Fotolog, a social network for publishing photos, was launched in 2002 and became a fever in Brazil. In 2016, the service was discontinued and left a legion of fans without their accounts and with little time to save old posts. But now the platform is back and can even be used by the cell phone by those who have the Android operating system. For those who want to know more about Fotolog or remember interesting facts, check out some curiosities about the platform below.

Before Instagram: remember the social networks of photos from the 2000s

Social networks that (almost) everyone has used

Social networks that (almost) everyone has used

1. Folotog offered paid or free accounts

The old Fotolog had two types of accounts, Normal and Gold. The first was free and with some limitations, such as a single daily post and a limit of ten comments per photo (which later went up to 20). The second option was already paid and gave the user the right to publish six photos a day, receive an unlimited number of comments and gain prominence on the network. Despite the benefits, few people adhered to this version.

Old Fotolog 2015 interface Photo: Reproduo / Thiago BarrosOld Fotolog 2015 interface Photo: Reproduo / Thiago Barros

Old Fotolog 2015 interface Photo: Reproduo / Thiago Barros

2. Internet made it difficult to access the site

In the early years of Fotolog's operation, broadband Internet was still expensive and little used. Thus, members who had a Normal account were unable to upload photos during peak hours, as posting images over the dial-up Internet was a very slow process, with the risk of crashing the site.

3. Why only one photo a day?

If, at the time, the old Fotolog allowed to post only one photo because the account was free, today, the alleged reason is another. The idea, according to the new administrators, to avoid overpostings, something that happens on (now rival) Instagram.

While Instagram has no post limit, Fotolog only allowed one photo per day Photo: Gabrielle Lancellotti / dnetcWhile Instagram has no post limit, Fotolog only allowed one photo per day Photo: Gabrielle Lancellotti / dnetc

While Instagram has no post limit, Fotolog only allowed one photo per day Photo: Gabrielle Lancellotti / dnetc

4. "Av do Instagram" was the largest photo blog on the Internet

Fotolog had 20 million visitors in a single month. In 2007, the company itself made an announcement stating that it had become the largest community of photo blogs in the world and the third most popular social media network, reaching 7 million members.

5. Fotolog had its "influencers"

It was through Fotolog that many people gained fame on the Internet in the 2000s, in a similar way to what happens today with youtubers and digital influencers on Instagram.

MariMoon was a celebrity at the time of Fotolog Foto: Reproduo / Fotolog MariMoonMariMoon was a celebrity at the time of Fotolog Foto: Reproduo / Fotolog MariMoon

MariMoon was a celebrity at the time of Fotolog Foto: Reproduo / Fotolog MariMoon

6. Selfies taken with digital camera

At the time of Fotolog, selfies already existed and were quite common, although they were not yet named. As few cell phones offered cameras, it was common to take pictures of yourself with digital cameras in front of the mirror.

7. Nicknames were used in place of names

It was not common for people to register accounts on Fotolog with real names, as it happens today on Facebook or Instagram. Users preferred to create nicknames, which could even be decisive for the success of the personal page.

People chose the username on Fotolog according to their nickname Foto: Aline Batista / dnetcPeople chose the username on Fotolog according to their nickname Foto: Aline Batista / dnetc

People chose the username on Fotolog according to their nickname Foto: Aline Batista / dnetc

8. Fotolog support was flawed

Despite its success, Fotolog was experiencing many technical problems. In a few days, the site simply did not work and it was impossible to publish a new photo. The network has been gaining stability as the broadband Internet has also improved.

9. Daily subscription limit

Precisely because of the initial failures, the social network of photos came to limit the registration of new accounts. In the early years, only 500 new users (per country) were accepted each day. In 2005, the number of permits doubled. It was not until 2006 that the limitation on daily subscriptions was definitively removed.

Only 500 people could sign up for Fotolog per day Foto: Divulgao / FotologOnly 500 people could sign up for Fotolog per day Foto: Divulgao / Fotolog

Only 500 people could sign up for Fotolog per day Foto: Divulgao / Fotolog

10. The return of Fotolog reactivated old accounts

Currently, Fotolog has 2 million users in more than 100 countries. But this is partly due to the reactivation of old accounts that were not deleted by users. Whoever wants to go back to using Fotolog or create their account can follow the step by step and "go back in time" with the social network.