Submit Content to the Archive
Help preserve the early internet by contributing web pages, screenshots, or full site archives. Every contribution helps keep history alive.
Drag & Drop Files Here
or click to browse your computer
Browse Files
.HTML
.CSS
.GIF
.JPG
.PNG
.SVG
.ZIP
🌐 Archive a URL
📝 Metadata
By submitting content, you confirm that you have the right to share this material and that it does not violate any copyright laws. Read our Contribution Policy and Terms of Service.
Contribution Guidelines
Follow these guidelines to ensure your contribution is accepted and properly preserved in the archive.
All submissions are reviewed by our curation team within 3–5 business days. You'll receive an email notification once your submission has been processed.
📦 What We Accept
- Original HTML pages and associated assets from 1990–1999
- Screen captures and screenshots of early web pages
- Full site directories (as ZIP archives)
- WebRing directory listings and related content
- GeoCities, Angelfire, Tripod, and similar platform pages
- Academic, government, and educational sites from the era
- Personal homepages and fan sites with historical significance
- MIDI music files, animated GIFs, and early web media
🚫 What We Don't Accept
- Content that violates copyright or privacy laws
- Malicious scripts, malware, or harmful code
- Pages primarily containing pornographic or hateful material
- Modern pages with no historical significance
- PDFs or documents larger than 50MB
- Incomplete uploads or broken file structures
📐 Technical Requirements
Ensure your submissions meet the following technical specifications for optimal preservation:
- Maximum file size: 25MB per file (50MB for ZIP archives)
- HTML files should use relative paths for linked resources
- Provide a valid URL to the original source if available
- Include at least one screenshot for visual documentation
- Character encoding should be UTF-8 or ISO-8859-1
- Avoid using
eval(),document.write()for dynamic content - Use standard HTML 3.2/4.01 DOCTYPE declarations
If the original website is still live, please note this in your submission. We may need to coordinate with site owners for content verification.
🏷️ Best Practices for Metadata
Accurate metadata helps researchers and visitors find and understand archived content:
- Be specific: Instead of "old page," use "1997 GeoCities personal page with animated guestbook."
- Include context: Note the site's purpose, audience, and cultural significance.
- Tag accurately: Select tags that reflect the visual and technical characteristics.
- Provide provenance: If you know who created the site and when, include that information.
Properly credited contributors receive a permanent attribution badge on their submitted content and access to exclusive researcher tools.
Submission Status
Track the progress of your contributions and view recently approved content.
12
Total Submitted
3
Pending Review
7
Approved
2
Needs Revision
Recent Submissions
My Cool 1996 Homepage
Angelfire Site Archive
GeoCities - Neighborhood 42
Dot-Com Era Store Screenshots
Old University Portal
WebRing Directory Collection
Contribute via API
Automate your archive submissions using our programmatic interface. Perfect for large-scale preservation projects.
Authentication
All API requests require authentication via your API key. Include it in the Authorization header of each request.
Your API Key
1990wa_sk_a7f3e9d2c1b4...8x3q
⚠️ Never share your API key publicly. Generate a new key if compromised.
Available Endpoints
POST
https://archive.1990web.com/v1/submit
"title": "My Retro Page"
"era": "1994-1996"
"content_type": "personal"
"files": ["page.html", "style.css", "banner.gif"]
POST
https://archive.1990web.com/v1/capture
"url": "http://oldsite.com/page.html"
"wait": true
"full_page": true
"format": "html_snapshot"
GET
https://archive.1990web.com/v1/submissions
// Returns paginated list of your submissions
"total": 42
"page": 1
"per_page": 20
"items": [...]
PUT
https://archive.1990web.com/v1/submissions/:id
"title": "Updated Title"
"tags": ["geocities", "mid-90s"]
DELETE
https://archive.1990web.com/v1/submissions/:id
// Removes a submission from review queue
Need more details? Check out our full API Documentation with code examples for Python, JavaScript, and cURL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about contributing to the 1990 Web Archive.
How long does it take for my submission to be reviewed?
+
Submissions are typically reviewed within 3–5 business days. During peak periods (such as major anniversaries or holidays), reviews may take up to 10 business days. You'll receive an email notification once your submission has been processed, along with a unique archive identifier.
Can I contribute content I didn't create?
+
Yes, as long as you have the right to share it. We accept content from public domains, sites that have shut down, and material where the creator has given permission. If you're unsure about copyright status, our curation team can help you evaluate the situation. When possible, always credit the original creator.
What's the difference between uploading files vs. submitting a URL?
+
File upload lets you submit specific files (HTML, CSS, images, etc.) that you've downloaded or saved. This is ideal for preserving sites that no longer exist.
URL capture allows us to crawl and archive a live page in real-time. This is best for sites that are still accessible and you want to preserve in their current state.
For the best preservation, we recommend both: upload your local files AND provide the original URL.
URL capture allows us to crawl and archive a live page in real-time. This is best for sites that are still accessible and you want to preserve in their current state.
For the best preservation, we recommend both: upload your local files AND provide the original URL.
How can I archive an entire website at once?
+
Use our bulk upload feature! You can submit up to 500 files in a single batch, or use a ZIP archive containing the entire site directory. Make sure all internal links use relative paths so the site renders correctly in our archive. For sites larger than 500 files, contact us for a custom archival plan.
Will my name be displayed alongside the archived content?
+
Absolutely! Contributors receive permanent attribution alongside their submissions. Your name or handle will appear as "Archived by [your name]" with a link to your contributor profile. You can also opt to remain anonymous if preferred.
My submission was rejected — what do I do?
+
Rejections include specific feedback explaining what needs to be fixed. Common issues include: missing metadata, file format problems, or copyright concerns. You can edit and resubmit your content directly from the "My Submissions" panel. If you believe the rejection was in error, you can appeal by emailing our curation team.
Is there a cost to contribute content?
+
Basic contributions are completely free. Our Pro plan ($9/month) offers additional benefits including priority review, unlimited bulk uploads, API access, and detailed analytics on how your contributed content is being used by researchers and educators.