Orkut, the social networking platform that became hugely popular in India during the 2000s, could be making a comeback. Its founder, Orkut B\u00fcy\u00fckk\u00f6kten, is asking internet users to support an initiative to revive the platform with a renewed focus on friendship, community and genuine human connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a message posted on October 8, B\u00fcy\u00fckk\u00f6kten urged people to visit Orkut.com, add their names in support of the initiative and share their supporter cards with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the announcement is not a confirmation that the original Orkut website is returning. The founder has not announced a launch date or revealed when a new platform might become available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why Does Orkut’s Founder Want To Bring It Back?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n B\u00fcy\u00fckk\u00f6kten believes social media has changed significantly over the past two decades, with platforms increasingly designed to maximise engagement rather than encourage meaningful relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an open letter published on Orkut.com, he argued that social networking should help people discover communities, build friendships and feel a sense of belonging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also raised concerns about the growing use of algorithms and artificial intelligence in online interactions, suggesting that the internet risks losing the human connection that originally made social networking appealing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His proposed revival aims to bring those principles back into the centre of the social media experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Orkut Was A Social Media Giant In India<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Launched in January 2004 by B\u00fcy\u00fckk\u00f6kten while he was working at Google, Orkut quickly became one of the most recognisable social networking platforms of its era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was particularly popular in India and Brazil, attracting users through profile pages, testimonials, friend lists, online communities and discussion groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For many Indian internet users, Orkut was their first experience of social networking. People joined communities based on colleges, cities, hobbies, music and shared interests, often forming connections that extended beyond their immediate social circles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite its popularity, Orkut struggled to keep pace with Facebook and other emerging platforms as user preferences and social networking technology evolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Google eventually shut down Orkut in September 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What Happened After The Original Platform Closed?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n B\u00fcy\u00fckk\u00f6kten later launched Hello, another social networking service designed around shared interests and personal connections. The platform eventually shut down in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He has also discussed developing new social networking experiences in subsequent years, including approaches that use artificial intelligence and machine learning to connect people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The latest campaign, however, does not yet establish whether the original Orkut brand, its familiar features or its historical user data will return in their previous form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How Can Users Support The Revival?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n People interested in the initiative can visit Orkut.com and add their names to the campaign supporting the proposed revival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The founder is encouraging supporters to spread the message and demonstrate demand for a social network focused on authentic interactions rather than engagement-driven feeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The campaign could help gauge public interest, but signing up does not guarantee access to a new platform or confirm that a launch will take place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/trak.in\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-10-at-9.42.50-AM-1024x577.png\")
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