In 2024, the world wide web was made up of 149 zettabytes of data. That is 149 trillion gigabytes, or 149 billion terabytes—whichever helps you wrap your head round that massive quantity. Suffice it to say, the web is an enormous place. It is so huge, the truth is, which you could’t entry all of it the identical approach. There are literally completely different tiers to the online, and relying on with tier a chunk of content material you are searching for is on, you could or might not be capable of view it—even when you already know the place to seek out it.
That is the crux of the distinction between the “floor” net, and the “deep” net. These are two separate elements of the web which are additionally a part of the bigger world extensive net. Whereas these two tiers are fairly completely different, you have visited content material on each of them earlier than. In reality, you seemingly visited each floor net pages and deep net pages at present, a number of occasions, with out ever realizing it.
What’s the floor net?
The floor net, also referred to as the seen net, is de facto true to its title: That is the a part of the online you possibly can simply entry via engines like google, as they’re listed by platforms like Google. As a rule of thumb, for those who can google it, it is on the floor net. The article you are studying proper now could be on the floor net, for instance. Perhaps you discovered it by looking out “distinction between floor net and deep net” on Google. The identical applies to Lifehacker as an entire, in addition to articles on web sites like Mashable, CNET, and PCMag.
You seemingly spend quantity of your web time on the floor net, on web sites each outdated and new. Boards like Reddit are largely absolutely represented on the floor net, as are some Instagram pages. Listings for merchandise you should purchase on web sites like Amazon and Finest Purchase are floor net pages. Video platforms like YouTube are very a lot the floor net, together with TikTok—although the expertise for the latter shouldn’t be optimized for net browsers. Legacy web sites like AddictingGames (which continues to be playable in 2026), in addition to the site for the 1996 movie Space Jam are the floor net. A lot of the floor net is fabricated from up particular person articles, which is smart, since articles nonetheless make up a considerable amount of search engine outcomes.
Just like the floor of the ocean, the floor net is only a fraction of the web as an entire. Back in 2017, some estimates claimed the floor net made up simply 10% of your entire web. That is nonetheless an enormous variety of web sites, which tells you ways huge the general net actually is.
What’s the deep net?
If the floor net is all the things you’ll find by way of Google, the deep net is all the things you possibly can’t. The deep net is far bigger than the floor net, and is compromised of internet sites that aren’t readily accessible from engines like google or direct URLs. They’re typically locked away behind authentication. Meaning you want not less than a username and password to entry them, and in lots of circumstances, they require an extra type of authentication as nicely. The article you are studying is on the floor net, however the software program (content material administration system, or CMS) we use to jot down and publish the article shouldn’t be—our CMS continues to be an internet site, nevertheless it’s not one thing you’ll find in a Google search, and even for those who knew the direct URL, you would not have entry.
What do you suppose thus far?
It is the identical with the numerous websites you entry that solely you’ve permission to view. Take into consideration one thing like Gmail: The service’s homepage is accessible to everybody, and it is one thing that pops up when looking out “Gmail,” however to entry your Gmail inbox, you must log in. When you do, your inbox is accessible by way of the web site, nevertheless it’s not like anybody can see it with a URL, they usually actually cannot discover your inbox from a Google search. It is the identical story together with your Fb feed, YouTube account, or your banking info. These are all accessible in your net browser as web sites, however you must log in to view them.
That is additionally the case for companies and subscriptions. Take into consideration stuff like Netflix, Hulu, or HBO: These are all accessible in your net browser, which suggests you are streaming the content material on particular person net pages. However the gamers on these net pages can’t be accessed from Google, even when the touchdown pages for a specific present or film may be. So as to truly watch or take heed to the content material, you must signal into your account. That is not the case with all streaming companies, in fact: Happy Gilmore on Tubi is a floor net web page, because it’s listed on Google. A few of the deep net can also be made up of pages you will by no means see, akin to protocols for figuring out person accounts and working funds behind the scenes. It is not all paywalled content material.
What concerning the darkish net?
Perhaps you have additionally heard about the dark web, however do not fairly know what it’s. As such, you would possibly conflate the deep net and the darkish net, however the two aren’t similar. In reality, the darkish net is part of the deep net; it is simply the half you possibly can’t entry with a standard net browser. As a way to entry the darkish net, you want a specialised browser, like Tor, and data of the distinctive darkish net URLs, which usually finish in .onion as an alternative of .com or .org. For extra info on the variations between the darkish net and the deep net, check out my explainer here.
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