AIM Shutting Down Best Tweets: Millennials Grieve Over AOL Instant Messenger Shutdown

AOL announced it is shutting down its once-popular messaging service AOL Instant Messenger, AIM.

AIM will be shut down Dec. 15, 20 years after it launched. There will be no replacement for the app, AOL said. Those who still use their @aim.com email address will still be able to do so after the shutdown.

“We know there are so many loyal fans who have used AIM for decades; and we loved working and building the first chat app of its kind since 1997,” said AOL about AIM’s shutdown.

AOL could launch a future communication platform. The company hinted in its announcement they are “excited” to continue to bring new products to the public.

“Our focus will always be on providing the kind of innovative experiences consumers want,” AOL said. “We’re more excited than ever to focus on building the next generation of iconic brands and life-changing products.”

Millennials Heartbroken Over AIM Shutting Down

Millennials spent their teenage years waiting for their computer dial-up so they could connect with their friends and crushes through AIM. With the shutdown of AIM comes the end of Buddy Lists and creative away messages, which were most of the time lyrics from depressing songs.

“If you were a 90’s kid, chances are there was a point in time when AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) was a huge part of your life,” Vice President of Communications Product at Oath Michael Albers said in a post about the service’s shut down. “You likely remember the CD, your first screenname, your carefully curated away messages, and how you organized your buddy lists.”

The news of AIM’s shutdown brought back memories to former users. Those who are old enough to remember AIM went on social media to grieve using #RIPAIM and #AIMemories.

“Do y'all remember when your crush went offline and you heard that door slam and it felt like it was crushing your heart?” remembered one user on Twitter.

“Putting yourself in (away) the minute someone came online you couldn't stand,” said another.

Here are more tweets about AIM’s shutdown: