Orkut, the social networking platform that became hugely popular in India during the 2000s, could be preparing for a new chapter. Its founder, Orkut Büyükkökten, is asking users to support a renewed vision of social media focused on real people, meaningful friendships and online communities.
The initiative comes as concerns grow over AI-generated content, algorithm-driven feeds and the declining trust many users feel towards digital interactions.
Why Orkut Wants to Return
Launched in 2004, Orkut was one of the early social networking platforms to gain a large following in India and Brazil. Users connected through personal profiles, testimonials, interest-based communities and discussions.
Google shut down the service in September 2014 as social media habits and competition evolved. More than a decade later, its founder believes the internet needs to recover some of the personal connections that defined its early years.
A Different Approach to Social Media
Büyükkökten’s new vision centres on building communities rather than keeping users endlessly scrolling through algorithmically selected content.
He argues that social platforms should prioritise genuine relationships, trust, curiosity and belonging instead of focusing mainly on engagement and time spent online.
The proposal also responds to concerns about bots, deepfakes and AI-generated posts that can make it difficult to determine whether online interactions involve real people.
How Users Can Support the Initiative
The official Orkut website has launched a campaign inviting people to register their support for the proposed social network. Supporters can add their names and share a digital supporter card with friends.
The campaign is intended to measure interest in a more human-centred internet. Signing up does not reserve a username, guarantee an account or secure a place in a future launch.
Is the New Orkut Already Available?
Despite the renewed attention, a fully relaunched social networking platform has not yet been confirmed. The current campaign is a call for support, and the founder has not announced a definite launch date or provided complete details about the proposed service.
It therefore remains unclear what the platform’s features, business model and safeguards will look like if development moves forward.
Can Orkut Compete With Today’s Social Networks?
A revived Orkut would face established platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, which already offer large communities and extensive content-sharing features.
Its challenge would be to turn nostalgia into sustained interest while demonstrating that a more community-focused model can work at scale. Privacy, moderation, user verification and the role of AI would also be important considerations.
For former users, the campaign offers a reminder of an earlier internet experience. Whether that nostalgia can support a successful new platform remains to be seen.