Curlie.org is the successor to DMOZ, the Open Directory Project that was once the largest human-edited directory of the Web. After DMOZ was discontinued in 2017, former editors and volunteers of the project took the initiative to launch Curlie, aiming to keep the spirit of a human-curated web directory alive. Like its predecessor, Curlie is built and maintained by a community of volunteer editors, and it continues to offer a comprehensive categorization of the web, but with updated policies and a modern interface to accommodate the evolving needs of internet users.
The directory at Curlie.org is structured to include a wide range of categories, from arts and business to science and shopping, reflecting the vast diversity of content available online. Each category is further subdivided to allow for more specific listings, ensuring users can navigate to the most relevant websites with ease. This structure also aids in maintaining the quality and relevance of the links provided, as volunteer editors carefully review submissions to ensure they meet the directory’s standards.
As Curlie.org strives to maintain the tradition of a collaborative web directory in the age of algorithm-driven search engines, it presents an interesting case study on the relevance and challenges of human curation in the digital age. The initiative raises questions about the role of community-driven projects in organizing the web and whether such directories can coexist with the automated systems that dominate online search today.