webrings

A webring is a collection of websites that are linked together in a circular fashion. Members of a webring typically share a common theme or interest, and the webring allows users to easily navigate between related sites. The primary mechanism of a webring is a set of navigation links, usually a "previous" and "next" button, that allows users to cycle through the sites in the ring.

Webrings were a popular way to discover related content on the early World Wide Web, before search engines became as dominant as they are today. They provided a curated and community-driven method for users to explore niche interests and connect with like-minded individuals. The concept was particularly useful for smaller, independent websites that might have struggled to gain visibility through traditional search methods.

Each website in a webring would display the webring's navigation bar, which included links to the previous and next sites in the ring, as well as a link to the webring's homepage. The homepage of a webring typically listed all the member sites, often with a brief description, and explained how the webring worked. Joining a webring usually involved submitting your website to the ring's administrator, who would then add it to the rotation.

While webrings are less common now due to the prevalence of sophisticated search engines and social media platforms, some still exist for specific communities and hobbyist groups. They represent an early form of online community building and content discovery that contributed significantly to the development of the internet.