Ah, Tumblr in 2017—what a time to be alive! A swirling vortex of GIFs, memes, and questionable fan fiction. But did it still work? Well, let’s unravel this curious tale. In 2017, Tumblr found itself riding the wave of some serious existential dread. To put it lightly, the platform didn’t quite meet its lofty revenue targets, which makes you think, “Maybe they should have stuck to selling those quirky cat mugs instead?”
So, what happened next? Yahoo, in a move that felt like the last act of a tragic play, decided to sell itself and the beloved blogging hub to Verizon Communications. Yes, the same Verizon that charges you an arm and a leg for a decent cell phone plan decided it was time to dip its toes into the social media waters. Talk about a plot twist! Under Verizon’s new regime, Tumblr continued to operate, but let’s just say it wasn’t exactly the vibrant playground of creativity it once was.
You see, by that time, Tumblr struggled to keep up with the dazzling newcomers, like TikTok. I mean, who can compete with a platform that practically oozes viral video potential every second? Trying to pull your audience back into the Tumblr fold was akin to trying to convince someone to switch from their fancy artisanal coffee to good old instant—sure, it’s nostalgic, but come on!
By 2017, Tumblr’s charm began to fade as it grappled with an identity crisis. Users felt the pressure to create more visually appealing content, and the platform seemed to morph into a collection of curated aesthetics and sponsored posts. The spontaneous, random chaos that once made it a joyful mess slowly slipped away, replaced by a cacophony of influencers trying to create “the next big thing.” Ever heard of sponsored despair? Welcome to the digital age!
And let’s not forget about the discussions around community and moderation. With contentious topics swirling around, Tumblr had to navigate some rough waters. An influx of competition and the tightrope act of policing content didn’t make things any easier. It’s like watching your best friend struggle through their third attempt at making a soufflé—you just know it’s not going to end well.
So, does Tumblr still work in 2017? Well, if “working” means sputtering along amidst changing tides, then sure! It’s a bit like a geriatric dog trying to fetch—adorable, but not exactly effective. If you want a platform that radiates personality and reminiscence of better times, it’s still there, but don’t hold your breath for it to be the life of the party anymore.
