Cowbird is an online storytelling community that was active from 2011 to 2017. With almost 100,000 stories from over 15,000 authors spanning 185 countries, Cowbird aimed to create a beautiful and ad-free environment for heartfelt and personal storytelling. It stood out as a slower and more contemplative alternative to mainstream social media platforms driven by corporate agendas.

The goal of Cowbird was to build a public library of human experiences, allowing the wisdom and personal narratives of individuals to live on as part of the common heritage. Initially, Cowbird gained significant popularity, but its usage declined as new platforms like Instagram and Medium emerged, coinciding with the growing awareness of attention economies and screen addiction. In 2017, Cowbird closed its doors to new contributions but kept its online presence as a historical archive.

Despite efforts to maintain accessibility, technical challenges and the discontinuation of pro bono hosting led to the decision to let go of Cowbird in 2022. The founders express gratitude to all the participants and trust placed in Cowbird to safeguard personal stories. Although the website may no longer be available, Cowbird will continue as a beautiful story, honoring the memories and experiences captured within its community