The Evolution of the Imgur Front Page 2009-2014

Jul 10, 2014 9:53 PM

sarah

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Feb 25, 2009--Day One!

Imgur was created by @Alan and presented to reddit as an "image host that doesn't suck." He paid $7 for the original domain name, then the site was funded by user donations until advertising was added.

June 2009

Changed upload field and got rid of that green button. Original gallery was handpicked by Alan, not based on virality. Public gallery as we know it was added November 1, 2010.

April 2010

New logo and upload design! RIP cotton candy logo.

Accounts added June 25, 2010.

February 2011

Gallery image previews added.

April 1, 2012

Imguraffe themed!

August 2012

Account sign-in and upload from clipboard added to front page.

October 2012

Front page defaults to the gallery. User Submitted was released in beta on October 22, 2012.

Present

The gallery has stayed pretty static for years besides the addition of the meme generator button.

The Future

This version is currently in beta testing and could change before release. Larger thumbnails and lots of customization features TBA.

Hope you enjoyed this little trip through Imgur history!

My favourite part is where I procrastinate.

12 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 1

imgur logo lost weight!

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You forgot to mention the loading icon!!

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

I love that thing!

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thaks Imgur, youre my favorite site!

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

I love how the logo fits so well throughout all the different styles

12 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 1

April 1, 2012 - Imguraffe: imgur is pronounced imgur!!!

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I swear I was just thinking today "What did imugr look like before this newest update" I had already forgot. haha

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

TDLR: Imgur got better and nicer looking.

12 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 1

Too Dong, Lint Read

12 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 1

ヽ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ノ

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

fucking awesome, thank you @sarah

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

i think we've peeked w this latest change

12 years ago | Likes 50 Dislikes 0

Of course I meant peaked... So I wrote peeked bc I was feelinf peaked at the time

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

TIL we have that feature

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I love the new beta, its amazinggggg

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

If they could just improve / slightly minimalize the comments like this:

12 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 0

Hey that looks really cool. Have you submitted that as a request?

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

No, is there a formal place to submit requests? I wasn't aware if there is one.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

My favorite site is getting a considerably large UI update? [excited response]

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

that new look is mighty purdy.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

@sarah: Is there an origin story for the imguraffe? Is it just because it went so well with the name?

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The latest 404 page is my favorite. Looking good Imgur!

12 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

I played with that for a good 15 minutes the first time I saw that.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I don't wanna say I'm hella cool, but I was chosen to try out the beta ;)

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

ME TOO

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

we are the chosen ones!

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

ME THREE

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I had no idea that imgur and i have the same birthday.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

So this isn't even Imgur's final form?

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I wonder what the first post was?

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

And since it's the internet, how many posts in was the first NSFW image?

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I first showed up around the sixth design, and then lurked until earlier this year. Good times...

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I see Sarah is a selective upvoter.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I hope the evolution of imgur doesn't follow the Asian woman rule:

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Thanks @alan

12 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 1

Wait no that's @steve

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 2

I think you accidentally commented twice.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I think you accidentally commented twice.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thanks for posting this, Sarah! I wasn't around for the start, but it's cool seeing how it evolved! Also, bring back imgurraffe background.

12 years ago | Likes 225 Dislikes 7

You can do that with stylish+firefox, or the chrome equivalent.

12 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 1

The Chrome equivalent is Stylish+Chrome! Thank god for devs who don't pick favorites (I say this as a FF user)

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Usersub came out on my birthday. Thanks Imgur.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

How do you get in on the beta?

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Be as awesome as me.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Reach Glorious status ;) ...Yes, I do indeed need a hobby

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I received it at Renowned.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Ohhh...my bad I could've sworn that it had said "Glorious" when I opted in - then again, I do have the memory of half a goldfish

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

12 years ago | Likes 212 Dislikes 2

As a Beta tester, the new version is fairly righteous.

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

how do i obtain it?

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

idk, I just got a message one day asking if I wanted to do it. Harry Potter style.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I want it sooo badly, I need the message

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yeah, I'm a fan. It's a lot cleaner, but I do wish I could see the top comments without scrolling through every single picture for a day.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

The top comments are at the side still though

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You can show the sidebar, yeah. I just liked having it already showing. The Internet is a place for the lazy, after all.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Once I turned mine on it stayed there

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

In the future, EVERYTHING IS CHROME!

12 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 0

I prefer Ultron tyvm

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

*Everything is chrome in the future!* Get it right, peasant!

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Latest change? the Penguin "Make a Meme" icon.....groovy

12 years ago | Likes 48 Dislikes 1

Oh man, I didn't notice that until you guys pointed it out.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I... I can't see anything penguin-related about it :(

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

sorry winterous.. only Glorious members can opt into the new beta features. would you like to see a picture of it?

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yes plox. However I actually have a thing at the top of imgur that says"Hey Imgurian, you're invited to beta test our new features!".

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

oh wow! okay so maybe now everyone can opt in! i've had the new features for like a month now so i guess we got it a little earlier

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I was way too excited when I noticed it.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Yeah, I laughed when I saw it...

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

yeah it's funny how only the "glorious" imgurians know what you're talking about, kinda like an elite group :)

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

+14U ☺

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Muahaha

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'm in the beta and still only renowned. I got the invite at 16k reputation.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

7 months ago there was only 7,928 glorious users. The site has grown so much so fast there's probably over 20,000 of us!

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

i was one of those glorious members 7 months ago:D

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Th evolution of @abednadir since joining Imgur:

12 years ago | Likes 100 Dislikes 2

you and 99% of everyone else

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

As someone named Chris, this speaks to me.

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

We should start a club

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I bet it was a bit more like http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/496147 (mildly NSFW)

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

HELIOSSSS

12 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

12 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

<3

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I can only smile at a less than three from you.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

@sarah, you are the best! can i call you my internet mom?

12 years ago | Likes 42 Dislikes 1

I'm not that old! :0

12 years ago | Likes 83 Dislikes 1

you're pretty old :P

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 5

But you like it when they call you big mama

12 years ago | Likes 39 Dislikes 1

I don't know if @BigMama is cool with that

12 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

SHE REPLIED<3

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

How old are you?

12 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 2

She's max 24. Remember this life lesson.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

Never ask a lady that question

12 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 3

How much do you weigh? ;)

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

well neither is the internet.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This is clearly fake. I don't believe sarah has only one notification.

12 years ago | Likes 2271 Dislikes 9

Um, as mine currently looks like this, it's real.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

Inspect element trickery?

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Glamorous nymph with an arrow and bolt. And an h.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Only one on the test server ;)

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Maybe the counter resets after 1 million?

12 years ago | Likes 33 Dislikes 0

This is true. I can confirm this. From experience. From all the messages I receive. From all my friends.

12 years ago | Likes 28 Dislikes 0

Haha. It's funny...because he doesn't have any friends...right? if so, +1 for the self deprecating joke.

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

hey, i got a red notification thing with the number 1. i clicked on it and it lead me to this reply. is this normal? is this how it works?

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

No, that's not normal at all. You should see a doctor.

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

In the future we are all Sarah!

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

This made me laugh.

12 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Resistance is futile, you will be assarahlated!

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You're such a beta

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 3

Well if she has a way of filtering out all the "m'lady"s then maybe its only one.

12 years ago | Likes 98 Dislikes 2

M'lady filter, a new chrome extension from the makers of Google Ultron©

12 years ago | Likes 44 Dislikes 0

then let's give her some

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

could be from a sandbox test environment. i imagine imgur is running on VMWare or HyperV

12 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

I mean... It's clearly the new Imgur system so it's most definitely a test server.

12 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I believe it. @sarah is always on top of her game. #AllHail

12 years ago | Likes 472 Dislikes 3

Dang, sarah stole my game again - imgur

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

I've met her, she really is a wonderful person.

12 years ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 0

@SARAH SAY WE ALL

12 years ago | Likes 42 Dislikes 0

Aye

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

So say we all.

12 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

So say we all.

12 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

hash tag used ironically.

12 years ago | Likes 102 Dislikes 1

Because there's no hash?

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

There are no good hashtags. Only good ironic ones.

12 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Y'know... unless you're actually using hash tags like you're supposed to.

12 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

#You #mean like #this?

12 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0