1. The Trend

Last week, Google searches for "dial-up internet" spiked 620%, with breakout queries like "who still uses dial-up" and "AOL shutting down." The trend was triggered by AOL's announcement of ending its dial-up email services, symbolizing the end of an era for early internet pioneers.

2.  Who Still Uses Dial-Up?

• Rural Users: ~2 million Americans still use dial-up due to no broadband access.

• Preppers: Offline communities value dial-up as an emergency communication tool (works without power grids).

• Retro Geeks: Enthusiasts log into old-school BBS forums for 90s nostalgia.

3.  Why AOL’s Exit Matters

AOL once had 30 million dial-up users (2002) but now serves fewer than 1.5 million. Its shutdown sparked memes like:

• Twitter trends: #YouveGotMail

• TikTok sounds: Dial-up modem impressions

4. Nostalgia vs Reality

• Nostalgia Boom: Gen Z uses filters to mimic "dial-up loading screens."

• Digital Divide: ~3% of the global population lacks broadband access (per ITU).