AOL is getting rid of AIM, and the internet feels all the nostalgia
In the words of AOL's most recent message, “all good things have come to an end,” and when they say that, they’re referring to AIM.
On Dec. 15, AIM will be signing off for the last time—and the internet is pretty dang devastated.
Read more: 10 lyrics that would have been perfect AIM away messages
“You likely remember the CD, your first screenname, your carefully curated away messages, and how you organized your buddy lists. Right now you might be reminiscing about how you had to compete for time on the home computer in order to chat with friends outside of school,” AOL said in their statement.
“AIM tapped into new digital technologies and ignited a cultural shift, but the way in which we communicate with each other has profoundly changed. As a result we’ve made the decision that we will be discontinuing AIM effective December 15, 2017.”
Sure, we may not have signed on to our accounts in years, but once upon a time, AIM was everything. Your profile picture, username, font and away messages were the best way to express yourself. (Because, let’s be real, no one could truly understand you.)
All good things come to an end. On Dec 15, we'll bid farewell to AIM. Thank you to all our users! #AIMemories https://t.co/b6cjR2tSuU pic.twitter.com/V09Fl7EPMx
— AIM (@aim) October 6, 2017
And while we haven’t logged on for years, it’s like a piece of our childhood is now gone. And the internet is remembering those AIM days in the best way. See some of the best (and saddest?) responses to the announcement. RIP AIM.
i still godamn use it. wtf boys
— morepower9 (@morepower9) October 6, 2017
<Insert the entire lyrics of a Dashboard Confessional album with a fancy font & excellent well-planned color scheme as my away message here>
— Jerry Dunleavy ���� (@JerryDunleavy) October 6, 2017
xX_MyHeARtISbRoKEn_Xx
— Robyn Kanner (@robynkanner) October 6, 2017
“Mom get off the phone, I need to fire up the internet for AIM”
— Kyle T (@kylet___) October 6, 2017
~~**dOn't CRy bECausE iT's over, SMiLe bEcaUSe it haPpeNEd*~*~ 😉 https://t.co/utKMdQvwjY
— Cate Domino (@CateDomino) October 6, 2017
RIP AIM: 1997-Dec. 15, 2017.
BRB as we go update our AIM away message to lyrics from “I'm Not Okay” for one last time.