We are still using 88x31 buttons
a day ago
- #internet-history
- #web-design
- #nostalgia
- 88x31 buttons are small, colorful, collectible web elements popular in the late 90s and early 2000s, experiencing a revival.
- Origins of the 88x31 format trace back to Netscape's 'Now' buttons in 1995, emerging as a promotional tool.
- Netscape's official guidelines specified an 88x32 size, but the 88x31 'sample' size became widely adopted and remixed by users.
- Despite their impractical size for modern screens, 88x31 buttons have endured due to their organic spread and nostalgic appeal.
- The Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) recognized 88x31 as a standard 'Micro Button' in 1998, and it remained in guidelines even as other formats were deprecated.
- Alternatives like 200x40 or 120x60 buttons have been suggested for better visibility, but lack the historical prevalence of 88x31.
- 88x31 buttons symbolize the early web's openness and creativity, contrasting with later ad-driven internet culture.
- Collections of 88x31 buttons are still available online, showcasing their lasting legacy in web design.