ICQ Surpasses 40 Million Registered Users; Number of Registered ICQ Users Triples Since AOL Acquisition
August 9, 1999 07:12 AM
DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 1999--America Online, Inc. AOL today announced that ICQ, the world's largest online communications community, has surpassed 40 million registered users. The ICQ service continues to show staggering growth. The Company also said that ICQ remains the portal of choice for the young and Internet savvy web enthusiasts. Nearly 85% of its registered users are under age 35, and the audience has very little overlap with the AOL service.
In June, 1998 America Online, Inc. acquired Mirabilis, creator of the popular Net messaging software, ICQ, with 12 million registered users. Within four months of the ICQ acquisition, ICQ passed the 20 million registered user mark and now has more than tripled the registered user base.
Bob Pittman, President and Chief Operating Officer of America Online, said: "With 40 million registered users, ICQ has quickly emerged as the new powerhouse in cyberspace. ICQ's registered users are passionate about its features and functionality. The amount of time spent with the service demonstrates unprecedented 'stickiness.' ICQ's growth and irreverent spirit are a testament to the strength of AOL's multiple-brand strategy."
ICQ registered users spend a tremendous amount of time with the service on their computer desktop. In fact, seven million people use ICQ every single day. Active ICQ users keep it persistently on their desktops about 2 1/2 hours daily and use the service for more than an hour a day. Total daily usage averages almost 20 million hours. At peak periods, ICQ simultaneous usage reaches over one million users, second only to the flagship AOL service for all Internet services.
Ted Leonsis, President of AOL Interactive Properties Group, said: "When we decided to purchase ICQ, we knew we had a hit on our hands, but by any measure, the ICQ brand has exceeded expectations. ICQ is growing exponentially around the world with the Internet's most enthusiastic users. Our ICQ development teams in Israel and the U.S. will continue to add vital and fun features that make it a unique and integral part of millions of lives."
ICQ announced recently that it will soon launch the ICQ Mail (tm) service, a customized, free, Web-based email service for the ICQ (sm) service, developed in collaboration with Critical Path, Inc. In addition, ICQ entered into an agreement with Net2Phone to develop and deploy Internet telephony services, which will enable ICQ users throughout the world with a PC and Internet access to place and receive voice phone calls through the Internet.
The ICQ service is a communications portal built around the ability to seek and communicate with friends, family and colleagues online. ICQ's unique, free software is loaded with vital and fun communications tools such as its flagship instant messaging and real-time chat features, plus Web functionality, including ICQ iT! search, and ICQ White Pages, which allow users to find like-minded users within the ICQ community.
About America Online, Inc.
Founded in 1985, America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies, and e-commerce services. America Online, Inc. operates: two worldwide Internet services, America Online, with more than 17 million members, and CompuServe, with approximately 2 million members; several leading Internet brands including ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger and Digital City, Inc.; the Netscape Netcenter and AOL.COM portals; the Netscape Navigator and Communicator browsers; AOL MovieFone, the nation's # 1 movie listing guide and ticketing service; and Spinner Networks and NullSoft, Inc., leaders in Internet music. Through its strategic alliance with Sun Microsystems, the Company develops and offers easy-to-deploy, end-to-end e-commerce and enterprise solutions for companies operating in the Net Economy.
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