Remember those days of endless discovery on StumbleUpon? 😢 Sadly, the platform shut down in 2018, but there are plenty of intriguing alternatives ready to take you on a digital adventure. Let's explore some of the best ways to rediscover what made StumbleUpon so fun. 🚀
What happened to StumbleUpon?
In 2001, Garrett Camp, Geoff Smith, Justin LaFrance and Eric Boyd noticed a gap in the way we explore the internet. While the search engines required a specific query, and services like Pandora focused on music; there was no way to randomly find interesting websites. That led to the creation of StumbleUpon.
With its iconic "Stumble" button and simple thumbs-up/thumbs-down rating system, StumbleUpon made it easy to discover random websites. Behind the scenes, algorithms learned your preferences to personalize future suggestions. While you could explore specific topics, the real fun was surfing the web without a specific destination. Although it technically still exists after its 2018 shutdown and transition to Garrett Camp's new service, Mix, the original StumbleUpon experience is gone.
Related
StumbleUpon made the internet feel small
The internet is home to over a billion websites, and there wasn't a great way to browse them aimlessly. StumbleUpon was the answer to this problem. It placed a big "Shuffle" button on the internet, making the web feel less like it was.
Viralwalk
If you enjoyed StumbleUpon for its ability to surface interesting content, Viralwalk offers a similar experience. All you have to do is click the "Walk" button and you'll be taken to a random website. As you browse, you can like, dislike, favorite, and add sites to lists. There's also a comments section so you can share your thoughts with other Viralwalk users. It's all very simple and evokes the essence of StumbleUpon! 🌐
Bored Button
Sometimes, you're not looking for anything in particular; you're just… bored. 😅 That's where Bored Button It sparkles. When you click the big red button, it takes you to a random game, an interactive experience, or a curious website. You might find yourself playing a simple online game, exploring a strange art project, or learning a bizarre fact. It's less about discovering new interests and more about instant entertainment and distraction. 🎮
Cloudhiker
Cloudhiker takes a slightly different approach to discovery. Instead of relying solely on algorithms or trending topics, Cloudhiker compiles from a curated list of sites. You start by choosing from themed collections of websites, such as “Music, Audio” or “Technology, Internet.” While StumbleUpon was mostly random with some customization, Cloudhiker offers a more focused way to explore specific areas of the internet.
Related
10 very strange playlists
Playlists are a huge part of Spotify, and anyone can create their own public playlists for others to enjoy. People get very creative with playlists, but some take it to the extreme. Let's get weird. Making playlists is a form of creative expression, and people have done some really clever things. We'll share some of the most interesting, fun, and strange playlists you can find on Spotify.
Jumpstick
If you appreciated the simplicity of StumbleUpon, you'll probably be drawn to it. JumpstickYou simply select your interests, and Jumpstick presents you with relevant websites. It has the typical "like" and "dislike" buttons along with collections, but not much else. Unlike StumbleUpon's social features and more elaborate interface, Jumpstick prioritizes getting you to new websites quickly. It's a hassle-free approach for those who just want to kill some time and browse the internet. 🖱️
The Useless Web
Sometimes the most entertaining websites are those that serve no practical purpose. That's where The Useless Web It shines. Clicking the “Please” button transports you to a website that is, well, totally useless. Weird animations, bizarre interactive experiments, or sites that literally scream at you. It can be anything. While StumbleUpon occasionally took you to strange corners of the internet, The Useless Web fully embraces the weird. It’s a refreshing departure from the constant hunt for productivity and information. 😂
While StumbleUpon may be gone, the desire to discover new and interesting things online continues. These alternatives offer unique ways to satisfy that need, whether you're looking for trending content, random entertainment, curated collections, or just a healthy dose of internet weirdness. Go ahead, click around, and rediscover the joy of stumbling upon something new! 🌈
