AIM (software)

AIM
	AIM's logo introduced in December 2011, replacing the earlier "running man" mascot
	Windows version of AIM (2013 release)
Developer(s)	AOL
Initial release	May 1997
Written in	C++, Adobe Flash
Operating system	Microsoft Windows, Windows Mobile, macOS, Android, iOS, BlackBerry OS, Android TV
Type	Instant messaging
License	Proprietary
Website	my.screenname.aol.com

AIM (AOL Instant Messenger, sometimes stylized as aim) was an instant messaging and presence computer program created by AOL, which used the proprietary OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol to allow registered users to communicate in real time.

AIM was popular by the late 1990s, in United States and other countries, and was the leading instant messaging application in that region into the following decade. Teens and college students were known to use the messenger's away message feature to keep in touch with friends, often frequently changing their away message throughout a day or leaving a message up with one's computer left on to inform buddies of their ongoings, location, parties, thoughts, or jokes.^[1] AIM's popularity declined as AOL subscribers started decreasing and steeply towards the 2010s, as Gmail's Google Talk, SMS, and Internet social networks, like Facebook gained popularity. Its fall has often been compared with other once-popular Internet services, such as Myspace.^[2]^[3]

In June 2015, AOL was acquired by Verizon Communications.^[4]^[5] In June 2017, Verizon combined AOL and Yahoo into its subsidiary Oath Inc. (now called Yahoo). The company discontinued AIM as a service on December 15, 2017.^[6]

^ "Away messages keep users in touch". NBC News. July 9, 2004. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
^ Cite error: The named reference mashable was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "AOL Instant Messenger is shutting down after 20 years". October 6, 2017. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
^ Imbert, Fred (May 12, 2015). "Verizon to buy AOL for $4.4B; AOL shares soar". CNBC. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
^ Sawers, Paul (June 23, 2015). "Verizon completes $4.4B acquisition of AOL". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
^ Nwankwo, Wisdom Nmesoma (November 27, 2022). "GOD IS POWER". AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) on Tumblr. Oath Inc. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2017.

[1] "Away messages keep users in touch". NBC News. July 9, 2004. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.

[mashable-2] Cite error: The named reference mashable was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[3] "AOL Instant Messenger is shutting down after 20 years". October 6, 2017. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.

[buyout-cnbc-4] Imbert, Fred (May 12, 2015). "Verizon to buy AOL for $4.4B; AOL shares soar". CNBC. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.

[5] Sawers, Paul (June 23, 2015). "Verizon completes $4.4B acquisition of AOL". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2015.

[retirement-6] Nwankwo, Wisdom Nmesoma (November 27, 2022). "GOD IS POWER". AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) on Tumblr. Oath Inc. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2017.

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