Submission Guide

Help us preserve the early web. Learn how to submit URLs, HTML archives, screenshots, and metadata for permanent preservation.

Start Submission → View FAQ
// Overview

Why Submit?

The early internet is disappearing at an unprecedented rate. By submitting URLs, archived HTML files, or digital artifacts, you help researchers, historians, and developers preserve the cultural and technical legacy of the 1990s web. All submissions are cryptographically timestamped and stored in our distributed preservation network.

// Process

How to Submit

01

Prepare Your Content

Collect URLs, HTML files, screenshots, or related assets. Ensure all links and images are accessible or included in your archive package.

02

Fill Metadata Form

Provide original publication dates, source information, tags, and a brief description. Accurate metadata ensures proper indexing and searchability.

03

Choose Submission Method

Submit via URL crawling request, direct file upload, or our bulk API. We support standard web archives (WARC), ZIP packages, and live URLs.

04

Review & Verification

Our curation team validates integrity, checks for broken references, and renders the content in period-accurate browsers before archiving.

05

Indexing & Preservation

Once approved, your submission is permanently stored, cryptographically sealed, and made searchable across the 1990 Web Archive network.

06

Receive Confirmation

You'll receive a preservation certificate with a unique archive ID, access URL, and technical report verifying the snapshot.

// Technical Specifications

Accepted Formats & Limits

TypeFormatsMax SizeNotes
URL CrawlHTTP/HTTPS, FTPUnlimitedBest for live or recently offline sites
HTML Archive.zip, .tar.gz, .mhtml500 MB per packageInclude all CSS, JS, and media assets
Screenshots.png, .gif, .tiff20 MB totalRecommended: 1024x768 or 800x600
Metadata.json, .yaml, .csv5 MBFollow our schema or use manual entry
WARC Files.warc.gz, .warc2 GB per fileStandard for institutional submissions
// Metadata Requirements

Accurate Cataloging

High-quality metadata ensures your submission can be discovered and studied for decades. Please provide the following:

The canonical address where the content first appeared.
Approximate year or year range is acceptable.
// Quality Assurance

Review & Processing Timeline

01

Integrity Check

We verify file hashes, validate HTML structure, and check for missing assets or broken redirects.

⏱ 24–48 hours
02

Period-Accurate Rendering

Content is rendered in vintage browser environments (Netscape 3.0, IE 4.0, Mosaic) to verify visual fidelity.

⏱ 3–5 days
03

Metadata Enrichment

Our archivists cross-reference dates, technologies, and cultural context to enhance discoverability.

⏱ 1–2 days
04

Final Archival & Indexing

Content is distributed to preservation nodes, cryptographically sealed, and added to the public index.

⏱ 24 hours
// FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit content I don't own? +
Yes. Our archive operates under digital preservation and fair use principles for historical research. However, we encourage submitters to note original authorship where possible. We do not host actively infringing commercial content.
How do you handle missing images or broken links? +
Our crawlers attempt to recover assets from the Wayback Machine and secondary mirrors. Unrecoverable assets are marked with preservation placeholders and documented in the technical report.
Is my submission publicly visible? +
By default, yes. Submissions are part of a public historical archive. If you require restricted or institutional-only access, please select the 'Embargoed' option during submission.
What if I want to update a previously archived page? +
The archive preserves snapshots in time. Updates are submitted as new versions with their own timestamp. The original remains intact for historical accuracy.
Do you accept CD-ROM or floppy disk content? +
Physical media must be digitized first. We recommend using standard imaging tools and submitting the extracted HTML/CSS/asset files. Contact us for specialized digitization support.

Need Help with a Submission?

Our archival team is available to assist with complex uploads, bulk datasets, or technical troubleshooting.

Contact Archival Support →
}