We updated the article in 2026 - we went through the text, links and illustrative images.
Music and sounds have been a part of websites since their initial form. In the past, they presented an interesting effect, added style to websites, and often their function was also to interest or just entertain website visitors. Today, we have a completely different attitude towards music on the web, and in most cases we consider it annoying or unwanted. How have sounds and music on the Internet changed in the last 15 to 20 years?
MIDI sounds and button effects
One of the first sound effects on the Internet was MIDI melodies playing in the background of the web. The ringtone, which resembled the ringing of classic mobile phones, was a non-traditional addition to the site at the time and usually brought a smile to the visitors' faces. However, the buttons that offered an effect with WAV sound were also able to conjure it up. After clicking, a gong, bell, or any other sound sounded. Many of us clicked on such buttons just to be able to hear that sound over and over again.
Background music?
If we experienced this today, we would probably immediately close the website with an annoyed expression. However, web background music used to be a very effective way to impress your customers. Like the tunes that played when a number was dialed, as long as the person picked up. However, over time the background music became annoying, especially since there was no way to turn it off.
Automatic playback of some sounds or songs was also offered by flash, in which the selected song was played around, in a loop. It was an interesting web effect, but only until the given song was played in a loop for the fifth time. The disadvantage was that, just like with the background music, even in the case of sounds in the flash, the ringtone could often not be turned off in any way.
An example of a website that uses background sound and „interesting“ sound effects.
More advanced effects and players
As websites and their design have evolved, so have their features, including sound effects. Gradually, the first javascript plugins for playing and controlling music began to appear on the web. So you could insert a player with your favorite song in the article on your website, as long as it was available in digital form on the Internet. Fans of alternative music, who met virtually every day on various forums and websites dedicated to music, got their way.
This is also how music players on the web looked in the past.
The service definitely deserves a separate mention Soundcloud. It is an alternative source of music, but also a place where artists can present themselves publicly. If you are looking for music for your project, there is a high probability that you will come across a suitable song on this website.
Video as a substitute for music
With the advent of YouTube, videos became more and more popular. In a combination of a still photo (or a simple video) and a soundtrack, popular bands began to upload their songs to YouTube. Thus, websites did not display only song players, but entire videos that you could watch without leaving the site. Embedding your own multimedia on the web was also facilitated by the arrival of the HTML5 player, which made it possible to easily implement a sound track and video with your own playback control on the web.
Today, HTML5 players offer a relatively modern design and simple implementation.
Today, video forms the basis of online entertainment and many people use it to present their products or services. Sound effects have almost completely disappeared from the web, and even if they happen to appear on the web, we find them rather annoying. This is also why, for example, Google Chrome warns us about which website (tab) the sound is playing from. Embedding a video or music player is a matter of a few clicks on the web today. However, if you would like to insert non-traditional multimedia players or a whole gallery of videos or songs on your website, do not hesitate to contact us to address. We will be happy to help you with this.
Do you also remember funny or annoying sound effects on websites you visited in the past?
