#MyspaceTom celebrates Tom Anderson, MySpace co-founder whose smiling profile photo was every user’s first friend from 2003-2008, making him arguably the most famous man on the internet before Facebook displaced MySpace.
Everyone’s First Friend
Tom Anderson co-founded MySpace with Chris DeWolfe in 2003. Every new MySpace account automatically friended “Tom”—his friendly, white-t-shirt profile photo greeting millions. This default friendship made Tom universally recognized. Unlike Facebook’s distant Zuckerberg, Tom felt accessible—users joked about Tom being their only friend when signing up. Tom occasionally commented on user profiles, creating delightful surprise. His presence humanized MySpace, making it feel like a community rather than corporate product.
MySpace Peak & Decline
At peak (2006-2008), MySpace was world’s most-visited social network with 100+ million users. Tom became cultural icon—parodied on SNL, referenced in pop culture. However, Facebook’s cleaner interface, privacy controls, and exclusivity (initially college-only) attracted users away. By 2008, Facebook surpassed MySpace. News Corp had purchased MySpace for $580 million in 2005; by 2011, they sold it for $35 million. Tom left in 2009 with estimated $60 million, pursuing photography.
Post-MySpace Redemption
Unlike vilified tech founders, Tom remained beloved. When Facebook faced scandals, internet nostalgically praised Tom: “Tom never sold our data,” “Tom would never do this,” “Tom was content being our friend.” Tom’s post-MySpace photography career (traveling the world, stunning landscapes) further endeared him—he “won” by getting rich young and doing what he loved. The hashtag celebrated the internet’s favorite first friend who peacefully retired instead of clinging to relevance.