DontStayIn, commonly abbreviated to DSI, was a social networking site based around clubbing. Primarily covering the UK, it listed nearly 185,000 events, and at its peak had over five million verified members. Members were encouraged to upload picture galleries to the site for events they've attended, add events and venues and otherwise contribute. "Spotters" were DSI members who reviewed and photographed events.

DontStayIn.com (DSI)
The logo for DontStayIn.com.
Type of site
Social networking service
Available inEnglish
FoundedApril 2003; 21 years ago (2003-04)
DissolvedApril 2016; 8 years ago (2016-04)
HeadquartersLondon, England
Country of originUnited Kingdom
OwnerLove Socio Ltd
Created byTim Aylott, John Brophy and Dave Brophy
URLdontstayin.com at the Wayback Machine (archived 1 November 2007)
CommercialYes
RegistrationRequired
LaunchedApril 2003; 21 years ago (2003-04)
Current statusDefunct

The site was also ranked continuously from April 2006 to December 2008 in the top 3 websites in the UK on Hitwise in the "Entertainment - Nightlife" category.

The format of the site allowed any user to add event listings, post comments and upload photos from anywhere in the world. DSI members were known for their loyalty to and promotion of the site. Many users commented favourably about the site and its impact on their lives when it is mentioned by reviewers.[citation needed]

DSI users (often referred to "DSIers"), also used DontStayIn to set up events[1] [2] and user-groups[3] [4] to promote the meeting up of DSIers in real life.

In 2005, DSI was featured in a documentary[5] made by Juniper TV as part of Channel 4's "Trouble Online" series, which profiled new media enterprises that have been set up by young entrepreneurs.[6][7]

In November 2006 DSI was reportedly used to organise[8] a flash mob of 3,500 people in Paddington Station, London, UK.[9]

On 14 April 2009, DontStayIn Ltd was acquired for an undisclosed sum by Development Hell Ltd, the publishers of The Word and Mixmag.[10]

In December 2012 DontStayIn was taken over by Love Socio Ltd, a subsidiary company of Web Giants Ltd., and the website was revamped the following year. Both the main website and the associated Facebook page ceased being updated in mid-2016.[citation needed]

Awards/history

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2003

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Set up by founders under initial name of "YouGotSpotted.com"

2004

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Renamed "DontStayIn.com"[11]

2005

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Won the House Music Awards prize for "Best Web Resource".[12]

2006

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Entered the "Hitwise" top 3 for the category "Entertainment - Nightlife" in the UK [13] Won the Hard Dance Awards "Best Website" award[citation needed]
Won the Musik 4 You Awards "Best Website" award[citation needed]

2007

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Became number 1 in the "Hitwise" rankings for the category "Entertainment - Nightlife" in the UK[14] - remained number 1 until Q4/2008[citation needed] Won the Hard Dance Awards "Best Website" award[citation needed]
Won the Hardcore Heaven Awards] "Best Website" award[citation needed]

2008

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Won the Hard Dance Awards "Best Website" award[citation needed]

2009

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Taken over by Development Hell Ltd.

2012

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Taken over by Love Socio Ltd, a subsidiary company of Web Giants Ltd.

2013

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The Don't Stay In brand was updated in June 2013 followed by a complete website update. The first phase of the new update was launched in Beta in July 2013.

2016

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Both the main DSI website and the associated Facebook page ceased to be updated in early 2016.[citation needed]

DSI stats

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From the site[15] (as of 28 April 2009):

  • Photos - Nearly 12 million photos have been uploaded to DSI so far. On average around 150,000 photos are uploaded every month and there are around 13 million photo viewings every month.
  • Events - The number of events on DSI is over 210,000. Around 2500 new events are added every month.
  • Verified members - There are now over 490,000 registered members on DSI. Around 2,500 new members are signing up every month. Around 35,000 log in at least once per month.
  • Forum posts - There are over 20 million discussion forum posts on DSI. Over 120,000 forum posts are written every month.

References

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  1. ^ Camp DSI 2006 – DSI's 3rd Birthday! – DontStayIn Archived 5 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ DSI Does.. Alton Towers Round 2 - DontStayIn Archived 2 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ DSI Does... group - DontStayIn Archived 2 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ DontStayIn events group – DontStayIn Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Download our channel 4 programme!" - DontStayIn Archived 1 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Trouble Online". Juniper TV. n.d. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007.
  7. ^ "Money and Business from Channel4.com". Channel 4. n.d. Archived from the original on 22 December 2005.
  8. ^ "Digital marketing rallies mob". UTalkMarketing. 4 December 2006. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011.
  9. ^ "'Flashmob' event draws 3,500 in London". United Press International. 2 December 2006. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  10. ^ Kiss, Jemima (15 April 2009). "Mixmag publisher Development Hell buys DontStayIn.com". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  11. ^ Archive.org snapshot of site
  12. ^ "House Music Awards 2005". UKMusic.com. Archived from the original on 14 November 2007. Retrieved 12 February 2007.
  13. ^ Q2/2006 Hitwise[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ "Hitwise Top 10 Online Performance Award 2007". hitwise.co.uk. n.d. Archived from the original on 4 February 2008.
  15. ^ stats – DontStayIn Archived 11 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine