1996 founded Hollow
messaging · icq.com
ICQ
lights on, nobody home
29 years 278 days and counting
Mirabilis, 1996. Uh-oh. The sound is older than most chat apps.
Why it lasted
- The number. People still remember their ICQ UIN the way they remember a first phone number.
- Mail.ru / VK kept it on life support for markets where it still meant something.
Times it almost ended
- AIM, MSN, then everything. ICQ was first and then it was furniture.
What would finish it
- A quiet shutdown in a language you do not speak. Possible any year.
Questions
Is ICQ still up?
Yes, with a Hollow verdict: lights on, nobody home. Founded 1996.
How long has ICQ been around?
ICQ has been up since 1996-11-15.
Why did ICQ survive?
The number. People still remember their ICQ UIN the way they remember a first phone number.
Could ICQ still die?
A quiet shutdown in a language you do not speak. Possible any year.