AOL

AOL began as Quantum Computer Services, offering an online service for Commodore 64 users. Jim Kimsey guided the transition from Control Video to online services, while Steve Case marketed it to consumers.⁠[1]

Investor Kleiner Perkins lists Case, Kimsey, Marc Seriff, and William von Meister among its founders.⁠[1]

The company became America Online in 1991 and listed on Nasdaq in 1992. In 1995, it launched AOL.com, reached one million members, and expanded internationally.⁠[2]

AOL connected households over telephone lines and distributed trial CDs widely. Connection sounds, contention with household phone calls, and the “You’ve got mail” greeting became hallmarks. Its AIM messaging service ran from 1997 to 2017.⁠[3]

In 1993, AOL added its own email addresses, a Windows version, and broader internet access. A later switch from hourly to monthly pricing, accompanied by heavy promotion, overwhelmed its modem capacity.⁠[4]

AOL acquired CompuServe and ICQ in 1998, followed by Moviefone and Netscape in 1999.⁠[5]

AOL completed its combination with Time Warner in 2001. When announced in 2000, the deal was valued at more than $160 billion.⁠[2]

By 2002, subscriber growth had slowed, advertising revenue had fallen, international operations were losing money, and the broadband transition was struggling.⁠[4]

In March 2005, the SEC accused Time Warner of overstating AOL online advertising revenue and subscriber numbers. Time Warner agreed to a $300 million civil penalty without admitting or denying the allegations.⁠[6]

It also agreed to reduce reported advertising revenue for the fourth quarter of 2000 through 2002 by about $500 million, consolidate AOL Europe correctly, and appoint an independent accounting examiner.⁠[6]

In 2006, America Online formally adopted the AOL name and began offering services free of charge.⁠[5]

On December 10, 2009, Time Warner announced completion of AOL’s spin-off. Shareholders of record on November 27 received one AOL share for every eleven Time Warner shares, with cash replacing fractional shares.⁠[7]

In February 2011, AOL announced a $315 million deal for The Huffington Post, including approximately $300 million in cash. Arianna Huffington would become president and editor-in-chief of the combined media group.⁠[8]

Armstrong linked the deal to AOL’s content and advertising strategy. Reporting also noted analyst criticism of its price and near-term returns; government approvals remained necessary.⁠[8]

Activist investor Starboard urged an AOL–Yahoo merger in 2014. In April 2015, AOL CEO Tim Armstrong rejected the then-rumored deal.⁠[5]

On June 23, 2015, VerizonVerizonVerizon (Verizon Communications Inc.) is one of the largest telecommunications carriers in the United States, formed in 2000 through the merger of Bell Atlantic, one of the “Baby Bells,” and GTE. Headquartered in New York City, it operates a nationwide wireless network, Fios fiber broadband and communications services for businesses and government, and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.Open the full entry completed its $4.4 billion acquisition of AOL for $50 per share in cash. Armstrong continued leading AOL, with Verizon’s Digital Media Services head reporting to him.⁠[9]

The combination encompassed AOL’s content holdings, advertising operations, and internet-subscription business.⁠[9]

On June 13, 2017, Verizon combined the acquired Yahoo operating business with AOL to form Oath, led by Armstrong. Its portfolio included AOL.com, HuffPost, Yahoo Mail, and advertising technology such as ONE by AOL and BrightRoll.⁠[10]

In May 2021, Verizon agreed to sell Verizon Media, including AOL and Yahoo, for $5 billion: $4.25 billion in cash and $750 million in preferred interests, while retaining a 10% stake.⁠[11]

The transaction closed on September 1, with the business operating independently as Yahoo. It covered the wider media portfolio; $5 billion was not an AOL-only price.⁠[12]

AOL discontinued dial-up access and its associated AOL Dialer and AOL Shield software on September 30, 2025. Its notice said other membership benefits were unaffected.⁠[13]

In October 2025, Bending Spoons announced an agreement to buy AOL from Yahoo and plans to invest in its product and technology. Its $2.8 billion debt financing covered this transaction and future acquisitions, rather than representing an announced AOL-only purchase price.⁠[14]

AOL’s official history confirms that it joined Bending Spoons in 2026 and continues to offer news and email.⁠[15]

The transition FAQ said AOL email addresses, passwords, and login details would remain unchanged. Its January 2, 2026 date described an earliest expected completion date.⁠[16]

Its catalogue includes free email and mobile apps alongside paid identity protection, technical support, security tools, and an ad-free webmail option.⁠[17]

AOL: Official website: https://www.aol.com/ (opens in a new window)⁠[15]

AOL Mail: Official website: https://mail.aol.com/ (opens in a new window)⁠[17]

Bending Spoons: Official website: https://bendingspoons.com/ (opens in a new window)⁠[15]