20 Oldest Websites Still in Existence: A Journey Through Time

The internet we know today is vast, sleek, and dynamic, filled with eye-catching designs and seamless functionality. But the World Wide Web had much humbler beginnings. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, websites were simple, text-heavy, and functional when the internet was still a novel concept. 

Some of those early websites remain active, largely unchanged, preserving their original look and purpose as digital time capsules. Others, however, have evolved over the decades to stay relevant in a rapidly changing online world. 

Here are the oldest websites still online today, each offering a fascinating glimpse into web history and showcasing how far digital design and technology have come.

1. Symbolics.com (1985)

Website	Significance
Symbolics.com	First domain name ever registered, a landmark in web history

Registered on March 15, 1985, Symbolics.com is the first domain name ever registered on the internet. The domain was owned by Symbolics, Inc., which created computer systems and hardware. Although the company has since left business, the domain remains active today, functioning as a museum of early Internet history. 

Visiting Symbolics.com is like taking a trip back to the beginning of the World Wide Web, with the website offering primary content that honors its status as the Internet’s first digital landmark​.

2. Interrupt Technology Corporation (1986)

Website	Significance
itcorp.com	One of the oldest active business sites; showcases the web’s utilitarian roots

The Interrupt Technology Corporation website, registered in September 1986, is another of the oldest websites still active today. The site’s layout and content have barely changed since its launch, offering a stark reminder of the internet’s utilitarian roots. 

The company specializes in digital infrastructure, and the website serves as a digital relic of how businesses first began to explore the potential of the Internet as a medium for communication.

3. Vortex.com (1986)

Website	Significance
vortex.com	Early advocate for internet privacy and digital regulation

Launched in October 1986, Vortex.com stands out as one of the earliest websites to champion internet privacy, digital regulation, and the intricate workings of online communication.

Unlike other business sites of its time, Vortex.com uniquely adopted a niche focus by not only educating users about the technical and regulatory frameworks but also highlighting the factors shaping the digital world.

This commitment to privacy advocacy and technical transparency has remained intact over the decades, giving Vortex.com an enduring relevance.

4. Texas Internet Consulting (1987)

Website	Significance
tic.com	Among the first network and systems consulting sites

Registered on April 23, 1987, Texas Internet Consulting is among the first websites dedicated to network and systems architecture consulting. Remarkably, the site has retained much of its original design and purpose. 

This preservation of its initial format showcases how consulting firms first utilized the Internet as a practical, straightforward platform to reach clients. 

5. Caine, Farber & Gordon (1987)

Website	Significance
cfg.com	Pioneered early web use for software marketing; known for Y2K solutions

Caine, Farber & Gordon (CFG.com) is a website that was first registered on November 2, 1987. The company, which has been in business since 1970, not only specializes in software development but also excels in systems design.

The website significantly promoted the company’s PDL/81 software design tool. Moreover, this tool was specifically developed to address and prevent Y2K issues, which, at the time, were a critical and widely recognized concern.

The site showcases the early use of the web for commercial software marketing​.

6. ACME.com (1991)

Website	Significance
acme.com	Early example of personal projects and freeware distribution

Registered in April 1991, ACME.com is an early example of how individuals and small businesses used the web for freeware distribution. The site offers a range of JavaScript utilities, city maps, and other tools that are still functional today.

The website’s minimalist design and quirky humor make it an enduring example of the creativity and experimentation that characterized the early internet. 

Users can still explore features like the ACME Heart Maker or License Plate Maker, which harken back to a simpler time in web design.

7. Info.cern.ch (1991)

Website	Significance
info.cern.ch	The first webpage ever created, explaining the fundamentals of the World Wide Web

Arguably the most significant of the oldest websites on this list, Info.cern.ch was launched on August 6, 1991, by Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web.

This website was the very first webpage ever created and was used to explain the fundamentals of the World Wide Web, such as HTML, URLs, and HTTP. 

Although the original site was taken offline for a time, it was restored in the early 2010s and now serves as a historical artifact. Visitors can browse the website using a line-mode browser simulator, offering a unique look at how the web functioned in its infancy.

8. ALIWEB (1993)

Website	Significance
aliweb.com	The world’s first search engine; manually indexed sites

Launched in May 1993, ALIWEB is the world’s first search engine. Unlike modern search engines that use automated crawling and indexing, ALIWEB requires webmasters to submit their websites manually. 

Although it has never gained the same prominence as Google, ALIWEB stands out among the oldest websites listed here as a crucial milestone in search technology development. 

The website is still online today and serves as a reminder of the early, more hands-on days of web indexing.

9. The Tech (1993)

Website	Significance
tech.mit.edu	One of the first student-run newspapers online, with archives dating back to 1881

The Tech is MIT’s student-run newspaper. It went online in May 1993, making it one of the earliest publications to embrace the web. The site contains archives of its print editions dating back to the newspaper’s first issue in 1881. 

This is an excellent example of how traditional media has adapted to the new internet medium. The website remains valuable for students and researchers interested in MIT’s long history.

10. MTV.com (1993)

Website	Significance
mtv.com	Started as an unofficial fan site by a VJ, later became MTV’s official site

Launched in August 1993, MTV.com started as an unofficial fan site run by MTV VJ Adam Curry. It quickly gained popularity, attracting millions of hits as fans of the television network flocked to the site for music-related content. 

Seeing its potential, MTV eventually took control of the domain, transforming it into one of the most popular websites for music, pop culture, and entertainment. 

The history of MTV.com is a fascinating reminder of how large media companies were slow to grasp the potential of the Internet. Still, once they did, they capitalized on its global reach. Today, MTV.com remains a central hub for entertainment news.

11. Bloomberg.com (1993)

Website	Significance
bloomberg.com	One of the first financial media sites, providing real-time financial data

Bloomberg, the financial media giant, initially launched its website in September 1993. Consequently, Bloomberg.com is one of the oldest financial websites still operating today. At its inception, the website primarily provided financial data and analysis.

However, it did so in a much simpler format compared to the robust platform it has become today.

Bloomberg’s early adoption of the web reflected its vision of using technology to deliver real-time financial information to professionals worldwide. Over the years, the website has grown into a vast resource, encompassing everything from stock market data to in-depth economic reporting​.

12. Milk.com (1994)

Website	Significance
milk.com	A quirky personal site from the early web, showcasing non-commercial content

Milk.com was registered in 1994, but don’t let the name fool you—this website has nothing to do with dairy products. Instead, it’s a quirky personal site owned by an individual who has refused to sell the domain, even after receiving substantial offers.

The site is an interesting relic of the early internet, where domain names were sometimes purchased on whims. 

With its random content, Milk.com is a playful nod to a time when the internet was far less commercial and more about personal expression​.

13. W3.org (1994)

Website	Significance
w3.org	Website for the World Wide Web Consortium, which sets web standards

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) established W3.org in July 1994 to set standards for the growing internet. This site has played a crucial role in shaping the web as we know it today by developing guidelines for web standards like HTML, CSS, and XML. 

For tech enthusiasts and developers, the website remains an essential resource. W3.org houses a treasure trove of information on web protocols, ensuring the web remains an open, accessible platform for everyone.

14. Justin’s Links From the Underground (1994)

Website	Significance
links.net	One of the first personal blogs, credited to early blogging pioneer Justin Hall

Justin Hall launched one of the first personal blogs, Justin’s Links From the Underground, in December 1994. Hall is often credited as one of the earliest bloggers, and his site offers a unique look at how personal websites functioned in the early days of the web. 

The design of Justin’s Links has changed very little over the years, staying true to its roots with a simple layout and primary content. Hall’s posts range from personal musings to his experiences with the internet, making this site a snapshot of early digital self-expression.

15. The San Francisco FogCam! (1994)

Website	Significance
fogcam.org	World’s oldest operating webcam, showcasing live footage since its creation

The San Francisco FogCam! is the world’s oldest operating webcam and has streamed live footage of a university courtyard since 1994. Originally created by two San Francisco State University students, the FogCam! was set up to capture daily campus life. 

Although it no longer serves an academic purpose, the webcam is still live, offering a nostalgic glimpse into how the internet was once used for simple, creative projects.

16. Travel Assist Magazine (1995)

Website	Significance
travelassist.com	First online travel magazine, predating modern travel portals

Registered in 1995, Travel Assist Magazine is recognized as the first online travel magazine. This pioneering site not only provided travel tips but also featured destination guides and articles well before the rise of significant travel blogs and portals such as TripAdvisor or Lonely Planet.

The website’s simplicity and focus on practical advice for travelers has kept it relevant for nearly three decades, showcasing the potential of digital media even in the mid-90s​.

17. Spork.org (1995)

Website	Significance
spork.org	Dedicated to the spork, showcasing the playful side of the early web

Dedicated to the hybrid utensil that combines a spoon and a fork, Spork.org is one of the more whimsical entries on this list. Registered in 1995, the site is a testament to the quirky, experimental nature of the early web. 

Spork.org doesn’t serve any commercial purpose; instead, it playfully celebrates a niche invention, highlighting its unique charm and quirks. Like Milk.com, this site highlights the personal and often eccentric projects that defined the early internet.

18. Chabad.org (1994)

Website	Significance
chabad.org	One of the oldest religious websites, connecting and educating global Jewish communities

Launched in 1994, Chabad.org is one of the oldest religious websites that is still active today. This Jewish outreach site provides educational resources, religious texts, and community support for Jews worldwide.

What makes Chabad.org particularly notable is its early adoption of digital tools to spread spiritual teachings and connect communities globally. 

The website remains a vital resource for millions of users, demonstrating how even the oldest websites can have lasting, meaningful impacts.

19. IMDB.com (1993)

Website	Significance
imdb.com	Launched as a hobby project, now the world’s largest database for film and TV

One of the most popular websites today, IMDB.com, was launched in 1993 as a hobby project by Col Needham, a British film enthusiast. Originally a database of movie credits and actor information, the site quickly became the world’s largest collection of film and television data. 

Today, it’s an indispensable resource for movie lovers, industry professionals, and critics alike. Still, its roots in the early web reflect the power of niche interests and communities in shaping internet culture​.

20. NJIT.edu (1989)

Website	Significance
njit.edu	One of the first university websites, promoting digital literacy

Launched in 1989, NJIT.edu is one of the earliest university websites and reflects how educational institutions began to embrace the internet as a means of sharing academic resources and engaging with students. 

Originally designed to provide information to students and faculty, NJIT.edu highlights the role of universities in advancing digital literacy and online communication. 

Its simple, text-based design shows the utility-focused approach of web pages back in the day, long before universities adopted the more interactive and visually rich websites we see today.

Lessons from the Web’s First Pioneers

Discovering the oldest websites that are still online does more than connect us to the past—it offers valuable insights into today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. Each of these early websites, built with limited tools illustrates the power of purpose-driven content. 

Unlike the highly commercialized, algorithm-driven platforms we visit today, these sites remind us of an era when the internet was a place of exploration and experimentation, not just polished aesthetics.

They reveal how even the simplest digital presence can create a lasting impact when it’s rooted in a unique vision or driven by genuine passion.

As we consider the future of web design and digital engagement, these pioneering sites can inspire us to embrace some of the qualities that made the early internet memorable: simplicity, resilience, and a commitment to meaningful content. 

In a time where trends and technologies shift at lightning speed, these early websites underscore the value of authenticity and adaptability—qualities that have allowed them to endure for decades. 

Revisiting these sites can encourage us to build online spaces that are not only innovative but also timeless, creating a digital legacy that respects both form and function.