MetaFilter was founded on July 14, 1999, by Matthew Haughey, a web designer and programmer. Haughey created MetaFilter as a community weblog to showcase the best content on the web, with the idea that users would "filter" and share interesting links they found online. The site's name comes from the concept of being a "filter of filters." In May 2022, ownership of MetaFilter was transferred to Jessamyn West, a long-time moderator and the site's first employee. Today, MetaFilter is owned and operated by MetaFilter LLC.Based in the United States, MetaFilter covers a wide range of topics including current events, politics, technology, arts and culture, and human interest stories. While not a traditional news site, it serves as a platform for users to share and discuss content from across the internet. The site delivers this content through its main page, various subdomains like Ask MetaFilter for questions and answers, and MetaTalk for community discussions. MetaFilter has a global user base, with members contributing and discussing content from around the world.**One interesting fact**: Despite being a relatively small online community, MetaFilter has played a significant role in uncovering several internet hoaxes and scams. In 2001, the site's users were instrumental in exposing the Kaycee Nicole hoax, where a woman had created a fake online persona of a teenage daughter dying of cancer, fooling many bloggers and garnering widespread sympathy and gifts.