Because the platform focuses on classmates and colleagues , you might find your mother's professional life from 30 years ago. You might find photos she forgot she uploaded. You might also find accounts that have been inactive for a decade—digital tombstones for people who are no longer with us.

What did you find? Let me know in the comments below. And if you find "Ma Mere," tell her I said hello. Have a specific question about finding a video on Ok.ru? Drop your search terms below, and the community will help translate them into Cyrillic for you.

Published by Alex | 10 min read

But when you find it—when you find that blurry video of her laughing at a New Year's Eve party in 2008—it is worth every click.