Shallow web
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The shallow seb is a conceptual layer of the internet that exists between the surface web and the deep web. It represents sites that are technically accessible without special software (like Tor), but are not indexed by traditional search engines or are hidden behind informal sharing, niche communities, or obscure links. The term "shallow web" is inspired by the internet iceberg model.
Unlike the Surface Web (indexed and accessible via standard search engines) and the Deep Web (requires login, hidden databases, or complex URLs), the Shallow Web consists of:
Publicly accessible pages that are hard to find.
Documents and collaborative spaces (like shared Google Docs) that are linked manually.
Lightly hidden resources that don’t require anonymity but aren't widely shared.
It often serves as a space for underground or emerging internet content that doesn't violate laws, but isn't widely seen either.
Notable shallow web sites
[edit]Name Link Description ShallowWiki ShallowWiki A public wiki-style document introducing the Shallow Web and listing content within it. Onion Router Onion Router A document that explains shallow routing and how to explore hidden documents. ShallowWeb Timeline Timeline Historical record of Shallow Web creation and expansion. ShallowWeb Guide Guide Instructions on how to contribute and find Shallow Web content. ShallowWeb Report Hub Report Hub A place to report new or broken Shallow Web links.
| Web Layer | Estimated Share of the Internet text |
|---|---|
| Surface Web | ~10% |
| Shallow Web | ~10–15% |
| Deep Web | ~70–80% |
| Dark Web | <5% |
