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Uh-Oh! ICQ Shutting down after 28 years

Writer's picture: Howard RabbHoward Rabb

ICQ logo


I still remember my ICQ number. Yes, the iconic "I Seek You" messenger that connected millions of people worldwide is officially shutting down after nearly 28 years. For many of us who grew up in the late 90s and early 2000s, ICQ was more than just a messaging app; it was a gateway to the world.


I fondly recall chats with my friend Bernd-Dieter in Germany when we were both still in high school. The distinctive "Uh-oh!" sound that played every time a message arrived is just one of the many memories that come to mind when thinking of ICQ. At its peak, ICQ boasted around 100 million users, making it a dominant player in the world of instant messaging.

However, its popularity was short-lived. As other platforms like AOL Instant Messenger and MSN Messenger began to emerge, ICQ quickly lost its user base. These newer services offered more features and a more user-friendly interface, leading many to migrate away from ICQ.


Owned today by Russia's VK since 2010, ICQ's relevance continued to wane over the years. Despite efforts to modernize the platform, it couldn't keep up with the rapid advancements in technology and user expectations. Today, as we say goodbye to ICQ, we are reminded of the rapid evolution of digital communication and the importance of staying ahead in the ever-changing tech landscape.


For those of us who remember the early days of the internet, ICQ will always hold a special place in our hearts. It was a pioneer in its time, bringing people together across the globe and setting the stage for the instant messaging services we rely on today. Goodbye, ICQ, and thank you for the memories.


ICQ pro 2003a interface
ICQ's iconic layout from the early 2000s


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