Remember those days of endless discovery on StumbleUpon? Sadly, it was shut down back in 2018, but plenty of intriguing alternatives are out there, ready to take you on a digital adventure. Let’s dive into some of the best ways to rediscover what made StumbleUpon so fun.
What Happened to StumbleUpon?
Back in 2001, Garrett Camp, Geoff Smith, Justin LaFrance, and Eric Boyd recognized a gap in how we explored the internet. While search engines required a specific query, and services like Pandora catered to music discovery, there wasn’t a way to simply stumble upon interesting websites. This led to the creation of StumbleUpon.
With its iconic “Stumble” button and simple thumbs-up/down rating system, StumbleUpon allowed you to discover random websites effortlessly. Behind the scenes, algorithms learned your preferences to tailor future suggestions. While you could explore specific topics, the main appeal was to wander the internet without a specific destination in mind. Although technically still existing after its 2018 shutdown and transition to Garrett Camp’s new service, Mix, the original StumbleUpon experience is gone.
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StumbleUpon Made the Internet Feel Small
The internet is home to over one billion websites—and no great way to aimlessly explore them. StumbleUpon was the answer to this problem. It put a big “Shuffle” button on the internet, and the web didn’t feel so big.
Viralwalk
If you enjoyed StumbleUpon for its ability to surface interesting content, Viralwalk is a similar experience. All it takes is clicking the “Walk” button, and you’re whisked away to a random website. As you “walk” through the websites, you can like, dislike, favorite, and add them to lists. There’s also a comment section for each section to share your thoughts with fellow Viralwalk users. It’s all very simple and should remind anyone of StumbleUpon.
Bored Button
Sometimes, you’re not looking for anything in particular; you’re simply… bored. That’s what StumbleUpon was great for, and it’s where Bored Button shines. Clicking the big red button takes you away to a random game, interactive experience, or quirky website. You might find yourself playing a simple online game, exploring an odd 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 pulls from a curated list of sites. You start by choosing from themed collections of websites, like “Music, Audio” or “Technology, Internet.” While StumbleUpon was mostly random with some personalization, Cloudhiker offers a more focused way to explore specific areas of the internet.
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Jumpstick
If you appreciated StumbleUpon’s simplicity, you will probably find Jumpstick appealing. You 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 no-frills approach for those who just want to kill some time and browse the web.
The Useless Web
Sometimes, the most entertaining websites are the ones that serve absolutely no practical purpose. That’s where The Useless Web really shines. Clicking the “Please” button transports you to a website that is, well, utterly useless. Quirky animations, bizarre interactive experiments, or websites that literally scream at you. It could be anything. While StumbleUpon occasionally led you to odd corners of the internet, The Useless Web fully embraces the weird. It’s a refreshing departure from the constant pursuit of productivity and information.
While StumbleUpon might be gone, the desire to discover new and interesting things online remains. These alternatives each offer a unique way to scratch that itch, 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.
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