launch app

Category: Discovery & Visibility

  • Is a Webring Better Than a Linktree? Here’s When It Might Be

    Is a Webring Better Than a Linktree? Here’s When It Might Be

    Linktree made a splash for a reason. It’s clean. It’s simple. It’s… everywhere.

    If you’ve got multiple links to share and only one bio field to do it in, it’s a no-brainer. But what if you’re ready for something a little more you?

    That’s where a webring might be the better tool. Not a replacement. Not a rival. Just a better fit in some very specific cases.

    When Linktree Wins

    Linktree (or any link-in-bio tool) is great when:

    • You have a handful of things to share
    • You need to update them often
    • You want a plug-and-play solution with little setup
    • Your audience already expects that format

    It’s convenient. Predictable. And good enough for many creators.

    But here’s when a webring shines

    A webring isn’t just a bunch of links. It’s a context-rich connector. A thread that ties your site to others like it — with shared themes, vibes, or intentions.

    Here’s when that beats a generic link list:

    1. You care about being found, not just clicked.

    Linktrees rely on people already knowing who you are. Webrings help new people stumble onto your work while exploring others in the same ring.

    2. You want your links to say something about you.

    A webring isn’t just self-referential. It’s expressive. It says: This is the world I belong to.

    3. You’re tired of feeling invisible in search and social.

    Let’s be real: linktrees don’t do much for SEO. But being part of a thoughtful, themed ring of personal sites? That creates real, organic context – and yes, Google still notices.

    That said, if you’re here just to chase backlinks? Don’t.

     Ring creators have full control, and spammy vibes will get you turned away fast. Webring Studio is about real connections – not SEO schemes.

    .4. You don’t update your links all that often.

    Webrings are slower. More ambient. More eternal. They don’t need constant upkeep – just a good fit and a shared spirit.

    So, should you ditch your Linktree?

    Not necessarily. If it’s working, keep it. But if you’re building a home online – not just a launchpad – then a webring gives you something Linktree can’t:

    A sense of place. A hint of soul. And a trail for others to follow.

  • Will a Webring Boost My Traffic in 2025? (Maybe. But Not Like You Think.)

    Will a Webring Boost My Traffic in 2025? (Maybe. But Not Like You Think.)

    Let’s be real. Most creators ask this eventually:

    Will joining a webring bring me more traffic?

    The short answer? Possibly. But not in the way you might be hoping for.

    Webrings aren’t funnels. They’re invitations.

    If you’re picturing a flood of visitors pouring in the moment you join a ring, take a breath. That’s not how this works—and that’s not why it matters.

    A webring is a small, intentional network. It doesn’t rely on virality or search rankings. It relies on human curiosity. People click through webrings because they want to explore. They’re seeking something real, not just the next dopamine hit.

    That means when someone visits your site from a ring, they’re not just passing by. They’re listening. They’re present. And they’re way more likely to stay, follow, or engage.

    So… no traffic bump at all?

    There can be a bump. Especially if your site is well-aligned with the ring’s vibe. But it’s a slow burn, not a spike.

    Think of it like word-of-mouth instead of paid promotion. If your site is consistently interesting, visually distinct, and regularly updated—even just a little—you’ll naturally earn more clicks over time.

    SEO isn’t the enemy—but it’s not the point here.

    A well-structured site with good metadata and performance is always helpful. But don’t stress about keywords when joining a webring. This is about discoverability that doesn’t depend on gaming an algorithm.

    How to make the most of it:

    • Add your ring widget somewhere visible—not buried in the footer
    • Keep your site updated, even minimally
    • Consider a short welcome blurb for ring visitors
    • Browse your own ring regularly and connect with others
    • Join more than one ring (as long as it fits your vibe)

    The bottom line:

    Joining a webring is about visibility through connection, not manipulation. You’re not trying to outsmart a robot. You’re joining a constellation of like-minded creators who’ve carved out a corner of the internet on purpose.

    If that leads to more views? Amazing.If it leads to deeper ones? Even better.

  • If Browsers Break, Will You Still Be Found?

    If Browsers Break, Will You Still Be Found?

    Big tech is wobbling.

    In a recent court hearing, OpenAI’s head of product said they’d consider buying Google Chrome if regulators force Google to divest it. Let that sink in: ChatGPT’s parent company is eyeing your browser. The very tool millions use to explore the web each day could one day be owned by the same folks who generate the web’s content.

    We’re not here to speculate on who ends up holding the keys to Chrome – or what happens if it gets auctioned off like a digital artifact. But moments like this remind us of a deeper truth:

    If your site depends entirely on platforms to be discovered, you’re building your future on shifting sand.

    And this is why indie discovery channels matter now more than ever.

    Discovery shouldn’t be centralized

    It’s not just search. It’s not just social. It’s the browser itself now. That layer you thought was neutral? It’s up for grabs.

    An indie website friend of mine recently said:

    “Diversify your platform risk: Build direct relationships with your audience. Invest in email lists, communities, and other direct channels that don’t depend on browser-based discovery.”

    Amen. And might we humbly add: webrings.

    Enter: Webring Studio

    Webring Studio was built for exactly this moment – and for all the ones that haven’t arrived yet.

    It’s a lightweight, human-powered way to help people find you and find others like you – without begging algorithms for attention or fighting with SEO just to be visible.

    No rankings. No secret rules. Just discovery by actual humans with actual taste.

    With Webring Studio, your personal site joins a curated constellation – a ring of creators who share something in common. Art. Code. Spicy opinions. Ghost stories. Whatever you’re into, there’s a ring waiting to be born around it.

    And it’s not dependent on who owns Chrome, what Google tweaks next, or whether OpenAI dreams your content into oblivion.

    What you can do today (to support your site’s reach)

    • Start building your own newsletter list.
    • Set up a tiny community, Discord or otherwise.
    • Brush the dust off your RSS feed.
    • And yes – join or start a ring with Webring Studio.

    Because when the platform rug gets yanked – and sooner or later, it always does – we’d like you to still be standing, torch in hand, surrounded by people who found you because they wanted to.

    Bonus: Want to test what your webring might be called?

    Try our AI-powered ring name generator – just for fun, no strings. Play with it, then make it real when you are ready to create your own ring.

  • We are Live: Welcome to Webring Studio

    We are Live: Welcome to Webring Studio

    It started with a question:

    What if the web could feel human again?

    What if finding new blogs didn’t mean handing your soul to an algorithm? What if you could build a tiny constellation of your favorite corners of the internet – and others could join in, orbit, and shine?

    Well… we built that.

    Today, we’re officially launching Webring Studio, a fresh toolset for a time-honored idea: webrings.

    A glowing golden ring appears at the horizon above a grid-like surface, set against a starry purple and orange sky in a retro-futuristic, minimalist style.
    As the ring rises, so does a movement built on trust, not algorithms.

    Once upon a time, webrings were scrappy circles of linked sites – a way to help people wander from one cool thing to the next. We loved that. We miss that. So we brought it back, with a modern touch.

    Here’s what you can do with Webring Studio (right now!):

    • Create your own webring in minutes—no code, no stress.
    • Join existing rings to get your site discovered by like-minded creators.
    • Explore the webring directory, filled with personal blogs, passion projects, and the delightfully weird web.

    Read our blog for thoughts, tutorials, and indie web ramblings.

    Webring Studio is made for the dreamers, the tinkerers, and the folks tired of shouting into the algorithmic void.

    No followers required. Just vibes. And links.

    Whether your site is a single page or a sprawling archive – if it’s yours, it belongs here.

    Welcome back to the indie web. We saved you a seat.

    🔗 Get started now

  • The Secret Weapon of a Modern Webring: RSS Feeds

    The Secret Weapon of a Modern Webring: RSS Feeds

    When most people hear the word webring, they picture something charmingly retro. Static buttons, Next and Previous links, a little loop of hand-picked sites — a digital campfire tucked away from the noise.

    And honestly? That charm is part of the magic.

    But here’s the thing: modern webrings can do more. They don’t have to be static. They don’t have to be quiet. And they definitely don’t have to be stuck in 1998.

    At Webring Studio, we’ve added a secret weapon – one that turns a webring into a living, breathing network of updates, voices, and momentum.

    It’s called RSS.

    Wait… RSS? Isn’t That Dead?

    Not even close. RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is very much alive — it’s just been quietly powering your favorite apps while social media took the spotlight.

    If you’ve ever subscribed to a podcast? That’s RSS. Used Feedly? RSS. Heard of people “going back to RSS” after rage-quitting Twitter? Yep.

    RSS is the language of updates. It’s how your website says, “Here’s what’s new.”

    And when a webring taps into that power? Well, now you’re not just connecting a group of sites. You’re surfacing fresh posts from all of them — in real time.

    Webring + RSS = Something Better

    On its own, a webring offers:

    • Themed curation
    • Handpicked community
    • A cozy loop of discovery

    But when you add RSS?

    • Visitors see what’s new on each member’s site
    • Rings become living hubs instead of quiet lists
    • Updates aren’t hidden – they’re highlighted
    • You get a real sense of what’s happening right now in your circle

    In short: you turn static connection into active conversation.

    What It Looks Like in Action

    Let’s say you’ve created a webring called The Indie Author Circle. Every member has their own blog or site. Normally, a visitor would just click “Next” and hop from site to site.

    But with RSS enabled?

    They’ll also see things like:

    • “Why I Switched to Self-Publishing” — posted 3 days ago
    • “Chapter 12 Sneak Peek” — updated yesterday
    • “New Zine Drop: Mythical Moths” — hot off the digital press

    Suddenly, your ring isn’t just a list of names. It’s a river of creativity.

    And best of all? You don’t have to manage that manually. Each site’s RSS feed does the work – automatically.

    You’re Already Publishing the Feed

    If you have a blog, portfolio, or website built with WordPress, Ghost, Hugo, Jekyll, or even old-school Blogger… guess what?

    📡 You already have an RSS feed.

    Most sites publish one by default. It’s often just hidden in plain sight.

    Webring Studio gives you the option to add your feed when you join a ring — and we take care of the rest.

    For Visitors, It’s a Game Changer

    For people browsing a ring, RSS means they’re not just jumping blind.

    They can:

    • See what each site is about before clicking
    • Decide what interests them today
    • Discover creators who are actually active

    It removes the dead ends. It makes every ring feel alive. It saves time and builds trust.

    For Creators, It’s Visibility Without the Algorithm

    Here’s the kicker: RSS works on your terms.

    • No feeds throttled by engagement
    • No sponsored junk interrupting your content
    • No shadowy platform hiding your updates from people who actually want them

    With RSS, if you publish, your people see it. Simple as that.

    And when your ring displays those updates? You’re not just part of a network – you’re amplified by it.

    The Secret’s Out

    RSS is powerful. It’s simple. It’s old-school in the best possible way.

    And when paired with a modern webring, it’s not just a feature. It’s a superpower.

    So if you’ve been thinking about joining or starting a ring — go for it. And if your site has a feed (spoiler: it probably does), don’t let it sit in the dark.

    Plug it in. Light it up. Let your updates shine through.

    Because the indie web isn’t just coming back. It’s waking up.