Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
TechRadar
TechRadar
Ross Kelly

This pioneering instant messaging platform tried to keep up with the times - we take a closer look at why ICQ failed

AOL
A close-up of a person typing on the keyboard of their laptop.

Instant messaging platforms are a dime a dozen in 2025 - from WhatsApp and Signal to Telegram or Facebook Messenger, there’s certainly no shortage of options for users today.

It wasn’t always that way, however, and in the mid 1990s ICQ was among the first pioneering offerings around, racking up a significant global user base and courting offers from major companies.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Reading alone, together is all the rage at book doofs and reading parties. What makes it social?
It’s called a doof, but it’s actually all about quiet reading. There are beanbags, some chairs and a few shared tables, where readers sit (or lie) down and read their separate books. Maybe some music playing in the background. Book Doof’s founder calls it a social experience. But can people…
The Conversation
The Conversation
‘This is not my camera’: Woman trusts camera repair shop in LA with family heirloom but the camera they return sets alarm bells ringing
She just wants her grandmother's camera back.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
“Not The Lip Filler”: Christina Aguilera’s Makes Bold Fashion Move In Latest Public Appearance
Christina Aguilera’s latest public appearance has fans dissecting everything from her lips to her facial features after she stepped out in a daring, lingerie-inspired look.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Why Does Ice Cream Sometimes Get Gritty After It’s Been in the Freezer?
Few things are more disappointing than opening a container of ice cream expecting a creamy scoop and finding a gritty, crunchy, or sandy texture instead. It may seem as though the dessert has gone bad, especially if it was smooth when you first brought it home. However, several different changes…
Grocery Coupon Guide
Grocery Coupon Guide
Bruno Mars Fan Has Never Been Happier To Sell a Ticket After Horrible Gridlock Hits Santa Clara
A Bruno Mars fan said they were relieved to have sold their ticket after crowds and traffic delays followed the singer's concert at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Kelly Clarkson and a local business are beefing on social media over a $15k bird — and neither is backing down
‘So you’re not only rude, you’re also a liar,’ the singer said
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play