The AOL site has changed a lot over the years - now the focus is on content rather than online services. A free AOL account gives you access to your inbox and news and entertainment content. You can also use the AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) service. You can also connect to the Internet (dial-up connection).
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Create a Free AOL Email Account
Step 1. Click Sign Up (in the upper right corner of the AOL homepage, under the Weather icon)
You will be able to use email and AIM.
Step 2. Enter your first and last name
They will be displayed when sending emails (in the "Sender" field).
Step 3. Enter your username - this is the name you use to sign in to your AOL account and is displayed in AIM
You can choose one of the five username options provided by AOL, or enter your own.
The username must be unique, otherwise you will not be able to use it. Read this article for more information
Step 4. Enter your password
A good password includes letters, numbers, and symbols (don't use words from a dictionary). AOL will display your password level (strong / weak) to the right of the password entry line. The password must be entered twice to confirm it.
Read this article for more information
Step 5. Enter your date of birth
Use the drop-down menu to select the month, and then enter the day (DD) and year (YYYY). You must be at least 13 years old to register.
Step 6. Enter your gender
This information is used to properly compile the news that appears on the AOL home page.
Step 7. Enter your zip code to determine your general location and use this information to correctly display weather and news on the AOL home page
Step 8. Select a security question
Open the drop-down menu and select one of the questions from it. Enter the answer to the question in the line below the drop-down menu.
The security question will be used in cases where you forgot your password or log in from an unknown address
Step 9. Enter your mobile phone number (if you like)
This is necessary to verify your identity and comes in handy in the event that you cannot log into your account.
Step 10. Enter an alternate email address
If you have forgotten your password, instructions will be sent to this address.
- You can enter any (valid) email address, such as Gmail or Yahoo Mail.
- Entering an alternate email address is optional.
Step 11. Click "Register"
Your account will be created and you will be signed in to AOL. If you entered an alternate email address, an email may have been sent to that email address asking you to verify that email address.
Step 12. Use AIM
You can do this through the AOL Mail web interface, or you can download AIM as a standalone program from AIM.com.
Method 2 of 2: Connecting to the Internet (Dial-up Connection)
Step 1. In order to connect to the AOL Internet, you must have a dial-up modem
Read this article for more information.
Step 2. Choose a service plan
AOL offers three different service plans; they differ in the additional software that comes with the connection to a particular service plan (the connection speed is the same).
You can sign up for a service plan on the AOL website (get.aol.com) or you can call AOL (1-800)
Step 3. To connect to the Internet, you need an AOL account and a credit card
Choose the plan you want and subscribe to it. The service fee will be charged to your card on a monthly basis.
Step 4. Download the AOL software
Once you have signed up for a service plan, you will either be provided with links to download software or you will be sent a software disc. This software is required to connect to the AOL network.
Step 5. To connect to the Internet, select an access phone number and connect to the AOL network
Once connected, you can surf the Internet using AOL software. When connecting to the Internet, do not use your phone, so as not to disconnect the connection.