Is Cohost Shutting Down? Why is Cohost Shutting Down?

Is Cohost Shutting Down?

Yes, Cohost is shutting down. The decision has been made to cease operations by the end of 2024. As of October 1, 2024, the site will transition to a read-only mode. This means users will still be able to access their content, but no new posts or updates will be allowed. The team plans to keep the servers online through the end of the year, but there is a possibility that additional funding might be required to maintain operations until then. The platform will be fully shut down and deleted after December 31, 2024, with all data being removed from the servers without any backups.

Why is Cohost Shutting Down?

Cohost is shutting down due to a combination of financial difficulties and burnout. The platform has struggled with profitability since its inception. Despite the efforts of the small team to generate revenue through various means, including their tipping and subscription product, challenges such as policy changes from Stripe have hindered these efforts.

The team has faced persistent issues with revenue and morale. They have been operating with limited resources, dealing with high levels of burnout, and managing daily operations without the ability to scale up effectively. The platform’s monthly active users (MAU) and monthly recurring revenue (MRR) have been declining, revealing the underlying financial strain.

Additionally, the team has been working without compensation for their labor, with all incoming funds being directed toward maintaining server operations. This financial strain, combined with the operational challenges and the inability to find sustainable funding solutions, has led to the difficult decision to shut down the platform. The team has expressed gratitude for the support and creativity of their users and has committed to providing improved data export options as they transition to the shutdown process.

When will Cohost Shutting Down?

You can delete your account yourself through the settings page. Account sign-ups and activations are no longer possible. If you delete your account before getting your data export, you won’t receive it because there will be no data left.

On October 1, 2024, Cohost will become read-only. All CoHost Plus subscriptions will be canceled, but you can still delete your account if you choose. Starting October 1, 2024, Data exports will begin for all users. It will take some time to process these, and once your export is ready, you’ll get an email with a download link. You’ll be able to download your data until the servers shut down on December 31.

On December 31, 2024, Cohost will go offline completely. All user data will be deleted at this time. On January 1, 2025, The Cohost.org website will redirect to the Wayback Machine to preserve links, funded personally since the company will no longer be operating.

Cohost

Cohost is a social media website that launched in June 2022. It is currently in beta testing and will be shut down at the end of 2024. The site is run by a non-profit software company called Anti Software Software Club, which is made up of four developers.

Cohost stands out because it doesn't have ads or algorithms. Instead, it shows posts in the order they are made. Originally, the site was only accessible by invitation, but now anyone can sign up, though there is a waiting period before you can start posting.

Cohost History

Here is the timeline of events about the formation and development of Cohost:-

Concept and Early Development

The idea for Cohost was first developed in 2019. The website's mascot was created in 2020. Cohost entered closed beta testing in February 2022. By June 2022, early access was available through invite codes.

Public Launch and Changes

Cohost opened up to everyone in November 2022, allowing anyone to register. However, new users had to wait before their accounts were activated.

Financial Issues and Shutdown Announcement

In March 2024, Cohost faced financial difficulties and temporarily lost contact with its main funder. Despite this, the site had backup plans in place.

In September 2024, it was announced that Cohost would be shutting down at the end of 2024. The site will become read-only on October 1, 2024.