Although normally spoken about as a cohesive whole, different aspects of the indie web ethos can wind up in tension with each other, which raises the question of which one ultimately takes priority. On the one hand, we have the general interest in onboarding, i.e. helping more people onto the indie web; on the other hand, the issue of onboarding can place some strain on other commonly touted ideals. At the end of the day, which form of independence matters most? And what does the answer entail for our understanding of who the indie web is “for”?
Hardcore IndieWeb: Run your own website 100% independently for only $0.01/day
If you’re not familiar with the IndieWeb movement, it’s a practical approach to maintaining your presence on the web that emphasizes fully owning your identity and your content. This is especially relevant now, at a time when a growing number of corporations want to own and control those things for you. The IndieWeb ethos seeks to eliminate external influence and control over both you and your stuff.
Standards — IndieWeb
The IndieWeb is a people-focused alternative to the "corporate web". These standards are organized roughly in order of age and breadth of implementation.
principles
🗽 The IndieWeb Community is largely based on principles that we practice and aspire to, such as own your data and remember to have fun! You can read all of our guiding principles below.
The IndieWeb is for Developers - The Darth Mall
The IndieWeb is essentially by developers for developers, and I think that’s fine because I’m unconvinced that its technologies are all that important
The IndieWeb Doesn't Need to 'Take Off' - Susam Pal
There's a corner of the Internet where people have been reclaiming their digital independence by hosting their own websites and promoting the idea of owning your own content. It's called the IndieWeb. The community has its own website, IRC channels, social media presence, etc. as well
The IndieWeb Movement: Owning Your Data and Being the Change You Want to See in the Web · Jamie Tanna | Software Engineer
A look at what the IndieWeb is, why you should care, and how to get started with it.
IndieWeb Events | IndieWeb Events
The IndieWeb Is Punk Manifesto
Three chords and a domain name. A manifesto for the DIY web.
Stacktracer's Dev Shrine
Surfing the IndieWeb is fun! Like many people my age (old millenial here, to be specific), I miss the Internet of the 90's and early 2000's. Until a couple of years age I thought it was gone for good. Luckily, I was wrong. The small web is all about non-corporate homepages and websites made by individuals. I won't go into details on why this is cool. For now, let me just point you in the right direction so you can see for yourself.
IndieWeb - Open Collective
We are on a mission to help individuals own their online identity and data.
Five Interesting Indie Platforms You Might Not Have Heard Of
After deleting my corporate social media accounts, I've discovered five interesting indie platforms and online communities you might not have heard of: Special Fish, Ctrl + Shift + 3, web1.0 Hosting, Pillowfort, and Blue Dwarf. A look at what makes each unique, from brutalist design to old-device accessibility, and a call to support the independent web financially.
Website Builder for Indie Game Developers
ManaKeep makes it easy to create a great website for your indie game
‘Building a better web is much more universal. Empowering people to own their identity, publish more freely, form many kinds of communities, and leave without losing everything.’ manton.org/2026/07/18/social-web-disconn…
Social web disconnect
www.manton.org