Foundation of Tumblr
Tumblr was founded by David Karp in February 2007. The platform quickly gained popularity for its ease of use and unique microblogging format.
2007
2007
Launch of Tumblr
Tumblr officially launched to the public in April 2007. Within two weeks, the site had gained 75,000 users.
2009
Tumblr Hits 1 Million Users
By September 2009, Tumblr had reached 1 million users, marking a significant milestone for the growing platform.
2010
Tumblr Introduces Mobile App
In June 2010, Tumblr released its first mobile app, allowing users to post and interact with content on the go.
2011
Tumblr Raises $30 Million in Funding
Tumblr raised $30 million in funding from investors including Sequoia Capital and Spark Capital, fueling its continued growth.
2012
Tumblr Reaches 100 Million Blogs
In March 2012, Tumblr announced that it had surpassed 100 million blogs, demonstrating its widespread appeal.
2013
Yahoo Acquires Tumblr
In May 2013, Yahoo acquired Tumblr for approximately $1.1 billion, aiming to rejuvenate its brand and expand its social media presence.
2014
Tumblr Introduces Sponsored Posts
Tumblr began offering sponsored posts in 2014, allowing advertisers to promote their content on the platform.
2015
Tumblr Launches Instant Messaging
In November 2015, Tumblr introduced an instant messaging feature, enabling users to communicate directly with each other.
2016
Tumblr Live Video Integration
Tumblr added live video support in 2016, allowing users to stream live content directly on their blogs.
2017
Tumblr Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Tumblr celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2017, marking a decade of growth and innovation in the social media space.
2018
Tumblr Bans Adult Content
In December 2018, Tumblr announced a controversial decision to ban adult content from the platform, resulting in significant user backlash.
2019
Verizon Sells Tumblr to Automattic
Verizon sold Tumblr to Automattic, the parent company of WordPress, in August 2019. The deal was seen as a move to integrate Tumblr's community with Automattic's open-source platform.
2020
Tumblr Introduces Post+ Subscription Service
Tumblr launched Post+, a subscription service allowing creators to monetize their content by offering exclusive posts to subscribers.
2022
In 2022, Tumblr reversed its ban on nudity, allowing artistic and educational nudity on the platform while still prohibiting explicit sexual content.
2023
Tumblr Expands Creator Tools
Tumblr introduced new tools for creators in 2023, including enhanced analytics and content scheduling features, to better support its user base.
2024
Tumblr Reaches 500 Million Blogs
By 2024, Tumblr had grown to host over 500 million blogs, cementing its status as a major player in the social media landscape.
