Plus4chan

Plus4chan (plus4chan.org) is one of the oldest and most historically significant “alternative” imageboards. Founded in the mid-2000s, it was created as a direct response to the perceived decline in quality on 4chan, positioning itself as a more mature and better-moderated version of the “chan” format.

1. Key Dates and Registration

• Domain Registration: The domain plus4chan.org was registered on March 22, 2006.
• First Wayback Machine Capture: The Internet Archive first captured the site in late 2006.
• Launch: The site launched in early 2006. It is one of the few imageboards from that era that has remained continuously online for nearly two decades, outlasting almost all of its early competitors.

2. What is the site?

Plus4chan is an anonymous imageboard that follows the traditional BBS structure but with a distinct cultural focus on “quality over quantity.”

• The “Anti-4chan” Philosophy: In its early years, Plus4chan was famous for its “no-anime” stance (which has since softened or moved to specific boards) and its rejection of the “forced memes” and “randomness” that defined 4chan’s /b/ board. It sought to prove that the imageboard format could facilitate actual discussion rather than just shitposting.
• Custom Software: Unlike many modern boards that use LynxChan or Vichan, Plus4chan historically ran on its own modified software (often referred to as the “Plus4chan engine”), giving it a unique visual and functional feel compared to the standard “Yotsuba” clones.
• Community Vibe: The community is often described as “bitter but loyal.” It caters to “oldfags” who grew tired of the mainstreaming of imageboard culture and wanted a smaller, more insular space.

3. What does the name mean?

• Plus: Signifies an addition, an improvement, or a “step up.” It was intended to suggest that this was “4chan, but better” or “4chan with extra standards.”
• 4chan: The name of the site it was parodying/improving upon.
• Plus4chan: Effectively translates to “The Improved Imageboard.”

4. History and Context

Plus4chan is a relic of the “Imageboard Wars” of the late 2000s. While it never reached the massive traffic of 4chan or 7chan, it maintained a highly influential user base. Many early internet researchers and “chan historians” used Plus4chan as a secondary hub for archiving internet culture. It is currently valued as a “Slow Web” project—a place where threads can stay active for weeks or months, a rarity in the fast-paced world of modern anonymous forums.