Webrings are also seeing some revival. Seems that actual curation by actual human beings is better than algorithmic or "AI" slop.

I don't know if its only me...but years ago when google was in its early days, i considered google to have authority because of its "completeness", and its unobtrusive experience. For some time now, i have not thought of google in that same, good way. Hence, if i wish to find quality content and good results, i use other mechanisms which have earned my trust and respect...some of those include open directories, web rings, old school type blogrolls, RSS feeds, suggestions from the fediverse, recommendations from family, friends, and colleagues, etc. Do i still use a search engine? Sure! I use DDG (which behind the scenes isn't much better than google since they're dependent on Bing/MS)...but nowadays i diversify my expedition a bunch more when searching for something. Gone are the days where i depend as much on big tech (or at least, try my damn best to minimize my dependence on big tech in as many areas of my on/offline life).