The indie web movement gained traction after the closure of GeoCities, a free web hosting service that Yahoo shut down in 2009. Originally launched in 1994, GeoCities hosted millions of personal web pages, serving various niches such as pop culture and educational content. Following its shutdown, many of these websites were lost; a few have been preserved in the GeoCities Gallery, offering a glimpse of the web’s early chaotic design.
In 2013, developer Kyle Drake launched Neocities to revitalize the GeoCities concept by allowing users to create HTML websites. Today, Neocities is central to the indie web, a term that describes a growing community focusing on more creative and personal aspects of web design, moving away from algorithm-driven platforms like social media. Alongside Neocities, Nekoweb has emerged since 2024, both platforms representing a resurgence of user-driven content.
The indie web features a mix of retro and contemporary designs, with some sites evoking 1990s visuals and themes. Many younger users, who may have missed out on GeoCities, are drawn to this community. The rejection of AI integration and social media trends drives the indie web’s popularity. For instance, Neocities users protested against an AI assistant within the platform, prompting some to switch to Nekoweb, which emphasizes a no-AI policy.
This movement has attracted particular demographics, including artists and LGBTQ+ individuals, seeking safe spaces away from social media’s algorithms and often hostile environments. The indie web emphasizes personal expression over optimization and encourages the use of coding skills, contrasting sharply with the streamlined designs of modern platforms.
As social media evolves and potentially drives more users to seek alternatives, the indie web may continue to grow, though it may face similar challenges of moderation and content regulation that earlier platforms experienced.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/column/829831/indie-web-geocities-neocities