Discover Wander: Your StumbleUpon-Inspired Gateway to the Hidden ‘Small Web’

With automated summaries and branded content dominating online searches, users increasingly seek a more personal experience on the web. This trend has sparked the development of new solutions, such as “small web” search engines and decentralized social networks.

One notable development in this area is Wander Console, an open-source, self-hosted web console crafted to assist users in exploring fascinating sites and pages curated by a community of independent creators.

The initiative was launched by Susam Pal, a developer from London, who was inspired to create this decentralized tool after discovering Kagi’s “small web” search engine, which narrows searches to particular content types like blogs, webcomics, and YouTube channels.

However, this method often neglects niche websites run by independent creators like Pal, alongside smaller projects, mini-applications, and games. This realization led him to develop Wander, enabling users to assemble web recommendations.

“Not everyone is aware of this charming segment of the internet filled with unique sites where individuals showcase their uniqueness,” he remarked.

Wander draws its inspiration from earlier concepts such as webrings that linked independent sites and blogs, along with discovery platforms like StumbleUpon, which provided random site suggestions at the click of the “Stumble!” button. It also borrows aspects from blogrolls, allowing site owners to recommend other websites.

Setting up Wander is easy: simply upload two files to your website — an index.html that connects to the Wander console, and a wander.js (a straightforward JavaScript file) to link to other recommended Wander consoles. There’s no need for server-side code or a database, and the console can even be hosted on GitHub Pages or Codeberg Pages, as noted by Pal.

Once uploaded, you can add a “Wander” link to your site, inviting visitors to embark on an exploration adventure. (For example, check out Pal’s demo of the Wander Console.)

The console features a “Wander” button that allows users to visit a random site, while the “Console” button displays information about that user’s Wander setup, including recommendations for other endorsed Wander consoles, referred to as “Neighbors.”

Many of these Wander consoles showcase creativity and humor. For instance, one console created by a user named Josh highlights websites of others sharing the same name. Another playful console transforms the cursor into a quirky creature, while yet another navigates users through various pages on Neocities, a platform aiming to rekindle creative expression on the web, reminiscent of Geocities. Numerous consoles have even customized their color themes to align with their original sites or evoke nostalgia.

Pal underscored that personalizing the console with CSS or JavaScript is simple and does not disrupt the core functionalities of Wander Console. This ensures that updates to newer versions are easy, requiring only minor adjustments when Wander releases updates.

Pal originally introduced the project to the Hacker News community earlier this spring and later shared it on Reddit and other platforms, receiving enthusiastic feedback and support. Since then, over 60 users have embraced Wander, collectively recommending more than 1,500 websites.

“Not everyone is driven to explore the small web—some see the internet merely as a utility, which is completely acceptable. However, those with a creative inclination may wish to venture into the small web,” Pal remarked.

He also pointed out a sense of nostalgia for StumbleUpon among many users, who often reminisce fondly about it. “It’s about that element of surprise—hitting the button could lead to delightful discoveries,” he concluded.