They say, “We wouldn’t be here if there were no internet,” and they give credit to the web revolution that brought so many industries to life and transformed others into something much bigger. This article goes deep into the details of domains that couldn’t exist without the internet and explains their exponential growth over the past few decades.

Online Gaming Competitions

Before the internet, playing in a poker tournament meant traveling to a casino at a scheduled time. Today, anyone with a computer or phone can join tournaments around the clock, thanks to online platforms. It’s also interesting to see how gambling platforms express their awareness about the impact of the internet on their business. One of the reputable online gaming platforms, the website of Ignition poker tournaments, describes the popularity of online competitions this way: “Thanks to the internet, online tournaments have become the most popular way to play the game.”

But what makes internet-fueled poker tournaments popular? First, the technical functionality of online platforms allows thousands of players to compete at once, with automated systems handling deals, bets, and eliminations seamlessly. Players can join multi-table tournaments, sit-n-gos, or knockout events at any time, and even play multiple tables at once – something impossible in a brick-and-mortar setting.

Second, the convenience is unparalleled. There’s no need to travel or spend on lodging; one can enter a tournament from the comfort of home, often for a much smaller buy-in than a comparable live event. Online platforms also offer features like hand histories and tutorials, helping newcomers learn the game quickly.

Finally, the global appeal of internet poker has supercharged its popularity. Online tournaments draw competitors from all over the world into the same virtual room. A novice from a small town can test their skills against international champions or qualify for major live events through online satellites. The result is bigger prize pools and more variety – top online poker tournaments routinely boast prize pools and player fields sometimes larger than the biggest events.

E-Commerce and Online Retail

The numbers of e-commerce sales are quite impressive, and what is most significant is that those numbers have only been growing since this new way of purchasing became a social phenomenon.

The growth is especially dramatic in the United States: online shopping now accounts for roughly 15% of U.S. retail sales, compared to just about 1% in 2000. Shoppers today enjoy conveniences the pre-internet generation could hardly imagine. Online stores are “open” 24/7, allow instant price comparisons, and offer virtually unlimited selection – all accessible from a device in your hand.

Over the past two decades, e-commerce grew from a tiny fraction of U.S. retail sales to a significant share. These are the approximate percentages of total retail sales that were online in selected years. The graph was created by us, specifically, for this article.

The impact of this internet-driven retail revolution goes beyond convenience. It has forced traditional retailers to adapt or perish. Major chains that once doubted e-commerce have embraced it, often closing physical stores to focus on online fulfillment. New services like same-day delivery, curbside pickup, and personalized product recommendations are now standard, enabled by digital technology.

From Niche Hobbies to Online Spectacle

If you lived in a place with no surfable oceans or towering mountains, you might never have seen big-wave surfing or BASE jumping in the pre-internet era. Extreme “adrenaline” sports used to be niche activities, mainly enjoyed by the participants themselves and a small community of enthusiasts. The internet changed that story, transforming these daredevil hobbies into widely watched entertainment.

Video platforms, especially YouTube, despite being a valuable educational platform, have given adrenaline sports a global stage. Some of the most active adrenaline sports channels on YouTube regularly upload interviews, podcasts and well-made documentaries about sky-diving, jumping, and much more. By sharing not just highlight reels but also behind-the-scenes looks, these channels turn extreme sports into relatable, followable content for the masses.

In fact, YouTube hosts countless channels dedicated to adrenaline-fueled content – from skydivers and wingsuit flyers to rock climbers and freestyle BMX riders. Mainstream brands have also gotten in on the action, blurring the line between sports and digital media. For example, Red Bull’s YouTube channel (famous for showcasing extreme stunts and events) now boasts over 23 million subscribers and 17.7 billion views.

The most spectacular feats attract live audiences rivaling traditional sports broadcasts – in 2012, over 8 million people tuned in concurrently on YouTube to watch Felix Baumgartner skydive from the edge of space, in the Red Bull Stratos event. That livestream set a record for the most simultaneous viewers in YouTube’s history at the time, underscoring how the internet can turn an extreme stunt into a worldwide communal experience.

Crucially, the web helped create new genres of content. GoPro POV footage, vlog-style adventure travel, and even virtual reality extreme experiences are products of the internet age. Avid adrenaline junkies now have platforms to share their passion, while casual viewers have endless adrenaline-pumping videos to binge.

What was once considered an underground or regional pastime – think base jumping off a remote cliff – can now captivate millions online. In essence, the internet unlocked these sports from their geographic constraints, allowing them to soar into mainstream entertainment and inspiring new generations of thrill-seekers and fans around the world.