The Ethical Web Directory

A human-curated alternative to algorithm-driven search

Introduction

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How to Use This Directory

Think of us as your starting point for better web research. We've done the vetting so you don't have to.

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Our Fair Ranking System

Unlike traditional search engines, we believe in fair competition within ethical categories.

Our Ethical Criteria

We manually curate all websites in our directory. Unlike algorithm-driven search engines that automatically crawl and index content, we do not use auto-crawling. Every site is reviewed against strict ethical standards to ensure we never promote unethical content.

We Exclude Sites That:

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Promote or glorify violence, hatred, or terrorism
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Contain pornography or sexually explicit material
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Encourage drug usage or substance abuse
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Are involved in child trafficking or exploitation
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Support neo-colonization or occupation
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Engage in illegal natural resource extraction or environmental destruction

We also prioritize sites that demonstrate transparency, privacy, and positive social impact. Our goal is to provide a safe, ethical alternative for web discovery.

Our 9 Pillars

Each pillar represents a separate competition category. Websites are tagged with DXD pillar tags and only compete within their assigned pillar.

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Sustainable Brands

DXD Tag: Sustainable

Companies committed to environmental and social responsibility with transparent practices.

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Privacy-First Tech

DXD Tag: Privacy

Tools and platforms that prioritize user privacy, data protection, and transparency.

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Verified News

DXD Tag: News

Journalism sources with transparent fact-checking, funding, and editorial processes.

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Knowledge Hubs

DXD Tag: Knowledge

Educational resources and research institutions committed to open access and accuracy.

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Social Impact

DXD Tag: Social

Non-profits, NGOs, and organizations driving measurable positive social change.

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Creative Commons

DXD Tag: Creative

Openly licensed art, media, and creative works that enrich shared culture.

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Palestinian Liberation

DXD Tag: Palestine

Verified resources supporting Palestinian rights, justice, and digital sovereignty.

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Health & Wellness

DXD Tag: Health

Trusted health resources with evidence-based information and ethical practices.

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Verified Connect

DXD Tag: Connect

Personally verified families in need, with direct donation links for immediate support.

Current Version

Phase 1: Central Curation

We're currently in our first phase of development, focusing on building a solid foundation of trusted sites through manual verification.

We believe in starting with a solid foundation of trusted sites. Quality first, then growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the ranking system work?

Our ranking system is based on intra-category competition using DXD pillar tags. Each website is assigned to one of our 9 pillars and only competes with other websites in that same category. Ranking is determined by click counts - the more people click on a site, the higher it rises within its pillar. This creates fair competition where privacy tools compete with privacy tools, news sites with news sites, etc.

What exactly are DXD tags?

DXD tags are our proprietary categorization system that assigns each website to one of our 9 ethical pillars. These tags determine which competition category a website belongs to. For example, a site tagged with "Privacy" will only compete with other privacy-focused tools, while a site tagged with "Sustainable" competes in the sustainable brands category.

How do you decide which websites to include?

Each website is reviewed against specific criteria for its pillar category. For example, Privacy-First Tech sites must have transparent privacy policies, no unnecessary data collection, and clear user control over data. We review privacy policies, funding sources, business practices, and community reputation before including any site.

Can I suggest a website for inclusion?

Absolutely! We welcome community suggestions. Use the "Submit a Site" link in the footer to recommend websites. Please include why you believe the site meets our ethical standards and which pillar it belongs to. All suggestions go through our review process.

How is this different from traditional search engines?

Traditional search engines use algorithms that often prioritize popular, SEO-optimized, or ad-supported content. Our directory is manually curated based on ethical standards rather than popularity or profitability. We focus on quality, transparency, and ethical practices rather than traffic or revenue.

What if I find a problem with a listed website?

Please let us know! Ethics can change over time. If you find a listed website no longer meets our standards, use the "Submit Feedback" option in the footer. We regularly review listed sites and will investigate any concerns raised by our community.

What is the "Verified Connect" pillar?

Verified Connect is our 9th pillar dedicated to personally verified families in need of support. These are families we know personally or have thoroughly vetted. We provide direct links to their verified donation pages (like GoFundMe, Chuffed, etc.) so you can support them directly. We do NOT collect donations ourselves - we only connect you to their verified fundraising pages.

How are families verified for the "Verified Connect" pillar?

All families in our Verified Connect pillar are personally known to our team or have been thoroughly vetted through trusted community networks. We verify their identities, situations, and fundraising pages before listing them. We aim to ensure that support goes directly to those who need it most.