AOL (America Online) was an American online service provider and media company. The company was founded in 1985 as Control Video Corporation and was based in Dulles, Virginia. AOL was one of the first and most popular internet service providers (ISPs) in the United States, providing dial-up internet access to millions of customers through its proprietary software. The company also offered a wide range of other services such as email, instant messaging, and online content through its AOL.com portal.
In the 2000s, AOL expanded into the media industry by acquiring several major content providers such as Huffington Post, TechCrunch and Engadget. However, the company struggled to adapt to the rapid shift towards broadband and mobile internet access, and its subscriber base and revenue declined. AOL was acquired by Verizon Communications in 2015 and became a part of Verizon Media Group. Today, AOL is still a well-known brand, but it is mainly focused on providing digital advertising and marketing services.