The Small Web is a decentralized, privacy-focused, and community-driven alternative to the corporate-dominated internet, emphasizing user control, minimalism, and sustainability through peer-to-peer networks, independent platforms, and lightweight technologies.

Here is an ongoingly updated comprehensive list of important websites and resources, in no particular order, that constitute the small web.

Kagi Small Web

Kagi Search is a privacy-focused, AI-driven search engine that prioritizes user anonymity, ad-free results, and high-quality content without tracking or personalized profiling, offering an alternative to mainstream search engines like Google.

With this focus on privacy, the Kagi Small Web initiative aims to promote recently published material from the small web. The platform is designed in line with the ethos of the “small web,” and operates without JavaScript.

They have done this in multiple ways:

• Directly within Kagi search results for applicable queries (existing Kagi members do not need to do anything; this will be automatic)
• Via the Kagi Small Web website
• Through the Kagi Small Web RSS feed
• Via Kagi Search API, where results are part of the news enrichment API

The Kagi Small Web initiative is a curated list of nearly 6,000 authentic websites that showcase individuals with diverse interests.

There’s even a dedicated subsection of the platform called Small YouTube, which highlights content from emerging creators with fewer than 400,000 subscribers.

This entire initiative, including the list of curated websites, is open-source and available on Kagi’s GitHub.

Marginalia Search

Marginalia Search is an independent, privacy-focused search engine that emphasizes human-curated results, minimal tracking, and a clean, distraction-free interface. Unlike mainstream search engines, it avoids personalized algorithms and ads, instead prioritizing accuracy, transparency, and user control. It also integrates with Kagi Search (another privacy-oriented engine) to enhance its capabilities.

Wiby

Wiby.me is a minimalist, privacy-focused search engine that indexes small, independent websites (often called the “Small Web”) while excluding corporate platforms, social media, and tracking-heavy pages.

It prioritizes human-curated, text-based, and ad-free content, offering a cleaner, slower-paced alternative to mainstream search engines.

Key Features:

• Excludes Big Tech (Google, Facebook, etc.).
• Supports niche, personal, and static sites (blogs, forums, zines).
• No tracking or personalization—results are the same for everyone.
• Encourages a “smaller, slower” internet culture.

Wiby is ideal for users who value simplicity, privacy, and the indie web.

NowNowNow

NowNowNow is a real-time, minimalist social network that lets users share short, ephemeral updates (like tweets or statuses) without algorithms, ads, or tracking. It emphasizes simplicity, anonymity, and immediacy, functioning as a decentralized, open-source alternative to mainstream social media.

Key Features:

• No accounts or logins—just post and read updates in real time.
• No permanent profiles or data retention—messages disappear after a short time.
• No algorithms or feeds—content appears chronologically.
• Open-source and privacy-focused, running on a simple, self-hostable platform.

It’s designed for casual, unfiltered sharing in a low-pressure, ad-free space.

Uses.tech

Uses.tech is a directory of tools, apps, and services recommended by the Small Web and indie tech community, focusing on privacy, simplicity, and decentralization. It curates open-source, self-hostable, and ethical alternatives to mainstream corporate software, emphasizing user control and sustainability.

Key Features:

• Handpicked tools for blogging, social media, search, and productivity.
• Prioritizes privacy (no tracking, minimal data collection).
• Supports self-hosting and open-source projects.
• Community-driven, with contributions from indie developers.

It’s a go-to resource for users seeking smaller, more intentional tech alternatives.

IndieBlog.page

IndieBlog.page is a directory of independent blogs and personal websites, showcasing self-published, ad-free, and algorithm-free content from creators outside mainstream platforms. It highlights long-form writing, niche interests, and human-centered storytelling, fostering a smaller, more intentional web experience.

Key Features:

• Curated list of indie blogs across topics like tech, art, philosophy, and lifestyle.
• No tracking or corporate influence—pure, unfiltered voices.
• Encourages slow, thoughtful reading over viral or sensationalist content.
• Part of the “Small Web” movement, promoting self-hosted and decentralized publishing.

It’s a haven for readers who value authenticity and depth over mass media.

Tech-Blogs.dev

Tech Blogs.dev is a directory of technical blogs and developer resources, curated to help programmers, engineers, and tech enthusiasts discover high-quality content on software development, tools, and industry trends.

It aggregates posts from independent and professional tech writers, focusing on practical insights, tutorials, and thought leadership in the tech space.

Key Features:

• Handpicked tech blogs covering programming, web development, DevOps, and more.
• Categorized by topic (e.g., JavaScript, Python, CSS, AI) for easy navigation.
• Showcases both indie and well-known tech writers.
• Encourages knowledge-sharing in the developer community.

It’s a valuable resource for continuous learning and staying updated in the tech world.

Personalsit.es

PersonalSit.es is a directory of personal websites, blogs, and independent online projects, curated to highlight human-centered, non-commercial corners of the web. It emphasizes privacy, creativity, and the “Small Web”—a movement away from corporate platforms toward self-hosted, ad-free, and community-driven spaces.

Key Features:

• Handpicked listings of indie blogs, portfolios, and niche sites.
• Anti-algorithmic, prioritizing real people over corporate content.
• Privacy-focused, avoiding tracking or ads.
• Encourages a slower, more intentional internet experience.

It’s a hub for discovering authentic, personal websites outside mainstream social media.

People and Blogs

People and Blogs is a directory and discovery platform for independent blogs, personal websites, and niche online communities, emphasizing human-curated content, privacy, and decentralized web culture.

It highlights creators outside mainstream social media, fostering a smaller, more intentional internet experience.

Key Features:

• Handpicked listings of indie blogs, forums, and creative projects.
• Anti-algorithmic, prioritizing real people over corporate platforms.
• Privacy-focused, avoiding tracking or ads.

It’s a hub for those seeking authentic, community-driven corners of the web.

ResearchBuzz

ResearchBuzz is a specialized blog and news site focused on search engines, digital research tools, and online information discovery, offering expert analysis, tutorials, and curated resources for researchers, librarians, and professionals.

OOH.Directory/Blogs

OOH.Directory/Blogs is a curated directory of independent blogs and personal websites, focusing on small, self-published content outside mainstream platforms. It highlights niche, thoughtful, and ad-free writing, emphasizing privacy, simplicity, and community-driven discovery as part of the Small Web movement.

Key Features:

• Handpicked indie blogs across diverse topics (tech, art, culture, etc.).
• No algorithms or tracking—pure, unfiltered voices.
• Encourages slow, intentional reading and direct support for creators.
• Part of the broader OOH.Directory, which also lists indie tools and services.

It’s a hub for readers and writers who value authenticity and decentralized publishing.

IndieWeb Stream

IndieWeb Stream is a real-time, decentralized social feed aggregating public posts from IndieWeb-enabled websites and platforms. It showcases user-owned content (blogs, notes, photos, etc.) shared via open protocols like Webmention, Micropub, and ActivityPub, bypassing corporate silos like Twitter or Facebook.

IWebThings

IWebThings is a directory and showcase of indie web projects, tools, and experiments created by Joe Jenett, a prominent advocate for the Small Web and decentralized internet. It highlights self-hosted, privacy-respecting, and human-centered alternatives to corporate platforms, often with a focus on simplicity, creativity, and open-source ethics.

Blogroll.org

Blogroll.org is a directory of independent blogs and personal websites, designed to revive the classic blogroll concept—a curated list of recommended sites—while fostering community and discovery in the modern indie web. It emphasizes human-curated, ad-free, and algorithm-free content, often from small, self-published creators.

Blogroll Club Personal Blogs

Blogroll.club/Personal is a curated directory of personal blogs and websites, spotlighting self-published, independent creators who prioritize authenticity, privacy, and community over corporate platforms. It revives the traditional blogroll format to connect readers with niche, ad-free, and algorithm-free voices.

Kottke.org

Kottke.org is a long-running, independent blog founded by Jason Kottke, known for its curated collection of links, essays, and observations on design, technology, culture, and the internet. It blends thoughtful commentary, niche discoveries, and timeless insights, often with a humorous or philosophical twist.

Do you have a website in mind that should be included in our list? We’d love to hear your suggestions—share them in the comments below! Your input could make a difference!