Today is Listverse’s second birthday! In that time we have had over 70 million visits! Because it is our birthday, I have decided to do a list of our most popular lists since we opened our cyber-doors two years ago. I am hoping that it will introduce at least a few of you to some lists you may have overlooked. The statistics I used to determine the order is total unique views – that excludes repeat visits from people who may be wanting to check up on the comments. Be sure to mention your own favorite lists in the comments. Happy birthday Listverse!
This was the list where we first met Juan Baptista dos Santos – the man with three legs and two penises. He was eventually to appear again on the bizarre relationships list because of his brief sexual encounter with Blanche Dumas, the woman with two vaginas and three legs (that would have been a good one for the amazing coincidences list as well!)
This list was published at quite an opportune time as many of the disorders that appeared on it later featured in other lists as related facts, so everyone that read this one was prepared for the others. The list was published just 3 months after the site launched so its high number of comments was pretty amazing. Comments above 200 happen quite regularly now but it was extremely rare back then. The contributor (JT) has contributed many other popular lists since then.
This list would rank high in the most popular, most commented on, and most controversial! This list started out as a top 15 and excluded a large number of very popular films. For this reason the comments (for the first time on the site) took on a very nasty tone and I had to pull it. I spent a few hours adding new films and re-rating some of the originals and finally came up with the top 20 as it stands now. As you can see by comment 1: “Mr Frater this list is so much better.” the updated list had a much better reception.
Not only is this one of our most popular lists, it is one of our most stolen. It seems that the majority of the 59,500 Google results for “10 amazing facts about dreams” are related to our original list – either as a complete rip or a derivative. The 450 comments on the list certainly speaks to its popularity with the most recent comment being posted a mere few days ago (nearly 2 years after first posting).
Having done a second list of evil women, I would be quite keen to combine the two and re-order them, giving us an “all time most evil women” list. Unfortunately when I wrote the original there were a number of wicked women I was unfamiliar with and the commenters certainly had no problem pointing that out. The list caused some controversy because of my inclusion of Queen Mary and Queen Isabella, but that was balanced by the inclusion of Elizabeth I on the second list. All in all, the list proved very popular despite its less-than-ideal ordering.
Sticking the Shroud of Turin onto any list is a recipe for controversy on this site (and most of the Internet for that matter). This list was definitely no disappointment. I certainly was surprised by the popularity of this list and that inspired me to write another 5 mysteries lists (and there are more to come I assure you). The Shroud seemed to be the most talked about item on the list and this lead to what was one of our earliest religion versus non-religion debates.
This was one of the most enjoyable lists to put together – which may account for its popularity. It featured some spooky and some happy coincidences. It eventually led to a second list of the same and there will hopefully be more in the future. Item number 9 (the Mystery Monk) was definitely my favorite addition. If only we all had someone like that watching out for us!
It was probably the political nature of some of the items on this list which led to its popularity – that and a front page on Reddit and Fark. This was a fascinating list and there will hopefully be more of the same in the future. I think item 5 (the Lincoln photo) is the most interesting as it is such a famous portrait – who would have thought that it was a photographic fake?
This was our first popular list (and the first one to reach the front page of Digg – causing untold headaches managing traffic but leading to our fast rise in popularity). For the last two years this list has topped the “top 10″ on the site so I was pretty shocked to see that it had been ousted from its place by the new number 1. This list was particularly close to my heart as all of the recordings were things that had fascinated me long before compiling it. Moreschi (the last Castrato) is especially interesting to me due to my interests in history, religion, and music; Moreschi combines all three!
So after nearly two years a list finally toppled the reign of the incredible recordings. Considering how recently this list was posted (just 7 months ago) it is an amazing feat. It was sent in by Blogball who has submitted many excellent lists in recent times. I am sure I am not alone in saying that I look forward to more in the future.
Unfortunately this list caused such a furore that I had to remove it. The list explained the ten most commonly used methods of suicide as well as the likely consequences when things go wrong. In the footer of the list I included telephone numbers for suicide lines in the countries that send us the most traffic. At first the list was well received (albeit controversial) but eventually we reached the number one spot on Google for “suicide” and we started getting a lot of very angry comments from people who were disgusted with the list. We also received a lot of comments from people who said that the list was going to help them commit suicide (I think that these were almost all from people trying to guilt us into removing the lists). Despite all of this I left the list on the site – but I closed the comments. A few months later one of my advertisers completely withdrew from the site and another threatened to if the list was not removed.
We may all like to think that there is no censorship on the Internet – but in a way this was a form of censorship through blackmail. Without the advertisers the site would have to close. My hands were tied, so the list was removed; that is the reason you have to view the list on my person site. Interestingly, if the list was still available, it would be in the number one position on this list with 463,999 unique views.
In summary to this list I would like to thank you all for sticking around and commenting on the lists. It has been quite hard to get lists out regularly and I am proud to say that we have not missed a single day in the last year – despite moving half way across the world. Thanks to the admins who have been a great help. There are many more lists to come in the future and I look forward to the next year in the hopes that we can grow even bigger.
I love these lists about lists! i don't know why?
“listception” – a list within a list XD
Happy birthday, Listverse! My personal favorite is the one with weird Biblical tales, simply because it cracks me up.
Keep up the good work, Jamie – this site is a true gem.
happy bithday listverse, looking forward to 2 more years(and then 2 more…2more)
Read ‘em all.
Bonus reminds me of that irc comment someone made about how they would commit suicide with a piano: “when the cord goes taut, youll be hanging upside down with no head….except your head will be in your outstretched arms thanks to gravity and the glue, staring at someone upside down and spewing blood everywhere.” (#5 http://listverse.com/2007/11/28/top-10-funniest-irc-quotes/)
I suppose in the years to come you will have a top ten list of the top ten lists…
Happy birthday listverse. I’ve spent hours and hours reading these lists and I must say I’ve learnt a lot from them. I am much wiser now, especially when it comes to religion which makes a lot of sense for me now.
Happy 2nd Birthday Listverse!
Congrat to JFrater and to the Listverse community. We, all the patrons of Listverse are hoping to many b-days to come to this wonderful and very informative site. I hope that the site will, and, always remain strong!
Happy birthday, Listverse!:-)!
Wow.. Its been 2 years already :’) HAPPY BDAY LISTVERSE
Happy Birthday Listverse! Hope to read more interesting lists for years to come (can you make it till 2219? I might be still living till then…)
Wow! Its only been 2 years? It seems like its been so much longer =) Happy Birthday Listverse. You have made an amazing site JFrater. One of my absolute favorites!
happee birthday listverse! muah! ü
A very happy birthday to listverse!! I cant believe its been 2 yrs since i first started visiting this site. I remember when the color scheme was orange and white; i really missed it when the site was redesigned. But the quality and the intrigue of the lists is very much the same and i enjoy visiting it regularly. Hope it continues with the same kind of success
Jamie, it’s been a helluva ride, mate. Congratulations on the birthday, and this is still my favorite site out of the entire internet.
Very Very Happy Birthday to Listverse!!!!
Great job Jaime, thanks for all your hard work
Fascinating list. It really shows people’s intrigue of the stranger/darker side of life. Freaks, mental disorders, dreams, evil, mysteries, manipulation.
You don’t see ‘Top 10 Animated Disney Films’ making the list.
Top 10 suicides was the first list I EVER read here on listverse…. in a little sadistic-sounding way it was close to my heart… (It was close to my heart because it introduced me to this wonderful site.
Happy b’day LV … LuV u … :-*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LV!
& congrats to J for creating & maintaining this site. i’m glad to have been a part of the process & the community. thanks, J. 
Gonna go get wasted now. Always need a reason to drink. Thanks Jamie! And happy birthday LV! Love all you guys. I mean that in the drunkenest(don’t care if that’s not a word) way possible.
HURRAY! This calls for celebration! Lets bring out the *****s and cheap champagne! or we could just add a new tab to the browser and surf some *****!!
this is a sweet list. but jfrater, I would have personally told each and every person offended by the suicide list to get the ***** off my website. I know free speech is an illusion but stll…
I never knew that about the suicide list. Hmm.
But anyway, my personal favourites are the mystery lists
Happy Birthday
!
THIS SONG IS FOR YOU JFRATER…
(rhythm of Journey – don’t stop believin’)
He’s just a small town boy,
Trying to bring us Lists with joy,
He took the midnight train going anywhere!
A blogger in a smoky room,
A smell of wine and cheap perfume,
For a List they can share at night,
It goes on and on and on and on…
Strangers waiting,
Up and down the internet,
Their browsers searching in the night,
List thirsty people
Living just to find emotion,
Hiding somewhere in the night!
Working hard to get my List,
Everybody wants a List,
Paying anythin’ just to roll the dice one more time!
Some will win, some will lose,
Some were born to sing the blues,
Oh, the ListVerse never ends,
IT GOES ON AND ON AND ON AND ON!!!
I thought Jamie was so rich (read; worth a million bucks), that he didn’t need those pesky advertisers to support this wonderful site;-).
I admire and salute, Jamie for the unwavering dedication and support for Listverse. Sure, Jamie has many fans and detractors alike, who admire and whiplash him with nasty comments. But, Jamie had and always been there.
And, I’m happy to say, that I now declare that JFrater now needs a new liver! ( just like Stevie) I love you both, man!
Again, happy anniversary Listverse!
thank you too!
and here i thought it was just canada day!
That’s kind of funny actually.
‘Cause you’re telling us how to do it right, and then you’re telling us not to do it.
Bit of an lol there.
I’s sad how you had to take such a good list down because of bad representation. When I read it I found it to be a great list and quite informing.
it’s*
Happy Birthday Listverse!
Wow! Congratulations Jamie and happy birthday Listverse!
I’ve been addicted to this site since I first discovered it a bit over a year ago, sometimes staying up late (5 AM where I’m at) just to see the next list, and it’s great to be able to comment when I have something to add, too.
Keep up all the great work!
Mr Frater, I’m buying you a beer! Congratulations, I enjoy the site and it’s controversies, humor and educational value very much every day!
When do you think you can take on David Letterman’s top ten lists? These are certainly better than those, only about two of his are funny out of ten. The historical lists are my favorite I enjoy the extensive research the authors have done. I started reading your lists a month after you opened and have not missed one. Perhaps I should write one.
Jamie:
Happy birthday to you!
Add this to the paradox list: It seems both shorter and longer than two years. It’s hard to imagine life before my daily morning visit to LV).
For all that I have learned here, I thank you.
Also a special shoutout to the admins.
And a thank you for giving me the opportunity to have my lists published. I am proud to have contributed to this community.
Happy Birthday Listverse!! I only found out about your site earlier this year, and ever since then I have been checking it daily for the latest lists – needless to say I have checked out the older lists also. I love the ones that has to do with historical figures & times.
Keep up the good work!!
Happy Birthday LV! Where’s the party?? Keep up the good work Jamie…
Damn I loved the Suicide list! And I’m sorry about Listverse losing an advertiser. Oh hey, I know!
*runs off to tell everybody about the site*
Not enough though.
Happy birthday Listverse!
Happy Birthday Listverse!! Started reading Listverse about 6 months ago and didnt comment on anything until that Grunge list a few weeks back, since that was close to my heart and represent what I was feeling back then.
Keep up the good work and here’s looking forward to more music-related lists in the future…
Happy Birthday Listverse!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations on a job well done, JFrater. LV is one of the first sites I surf every morning, always wondering what the new list will be. So much fascinating intrigue for a trivia nut such as me. Keep ‘em coming, Jamie.
Happy, Happy Birthday, Listverse!
Congrats on creating and maintaining a quality, thought-provoking website that gets people hooked and keeps them around. I stumbled upon this site and fell in love, and eventually found a home in the forums, which I greatly enjoy. I have made some great friends and wasted lots and lots of time. I love it here!
Happy B’day Listverse. Love you guys
great lists, great site.
i wish i saw that suicide list however, it would be the only list i havnt read….
Well said rushfan im with you on that one.
Happy Birthday Listverse!
Happy Birthday!
Thank you for bringing such an awesome website to the internet, Jaime. I am very happy that I “stumbled” upon a magnificent site totally by accident one day. The first thing I do every morning before I head out to work is check this site. I plan on sticking around while you celebrate even more “days” like this!
As they say: conga-rats!
I did get a chance to read the suicide list before it was yanked. Too bad people are idiots and can’t see it was a list and not a “How to do” instruction manual.
I have too many favorites to add my own selection so I will be impartial and say they are all my favorites! (hehe)
@Travis (24): Very clever!
repeating guns on the list yo. stone cold *****in the past means extra cabbage for my west coast playas g.
And you left off Dazed and Confused.
Happy Happy Birthday, Listverse!!! Congratulations, Jamie! This site has not only educated and entertained me, it has also given me many wonderful friends and memories. Thanks to Jamie and all the admins, contributors, and commenters for creating a community like no other. I hope only for its continued success.
Crisped beans on the anniversaried guns g – last year of celebratory tears for me, when I got off Scot-free from the authority yo
started reading it for a month. I will make sure I vist it everyday now.
sorry ja – sampling guns for my homies g, monkey see monkey do, yo.
Happy Birthday most favorite website!
Yeah…Happy B-Day LV!!! I can’t speak for the other regulars around here, but that’s pretty much why I keep coming back here: The regulars on the forums and daily entertainment!
Happy Birthday LV and Happy Canada Day all!
Jamie,
It’s been a treat to come every day and see the progress you’ve acheived in such a short time. You have a book coming out soon.how freakin cool is that?
Nothing but the best.now and in the future.
Thanks for endless hours of entertainment ,here, and in the forums.
Happy Birthday, Listverse! Thanks for 2 entire years of non-stop list goodness.
Hmm, since you’re asking, I always thought the Top 10 Incredible Sound Illusions was one of the most popular, if not the most popular list ever? Hmm, I guess I got confused…?
lol