reclaim your digital independence: why your website matters more than ever

being old enough, i remember the web revolution as it started - with simple (often boring and cheesy) homepages and individual domains (including subdomains or cheapo ones in tuvala or tokelau). with link lists and outerspace.fu-berlin.de, websites and mail, simple search engines and guestbooks, early blogs and communities. i’ve seen and used many of them, from altavista to geocities and myspace. then came forums, some in the tradition of dial-up bbs and mailbox networks like maus or fidonet, followed by the explosion of blogs.

and finally, the rise of social media, microblogging, video and image-sharing platforms - increasingly controlled by massive tech enterprises. today, these platforms wield immense power over users and entire societies. they are no longer just a means of connection; they are vast systems of influence, algorithmically deciding what is seen, what is heard, and what is deemed acceptable.

the dangers of a centralized digital presence

the risks of relying solely on a a vanilla webmail address and a social media account are greater than most people realize. these platforms track every interaction, feeding algorithms that predict and manipulate behavior with precision. your data isn’t just valuable - it’s a commodity, traded, sold, and used against you.

this isn’t just about targeted ads. it’s about surveillance, commercial interest, and political influence. social media giants now shape narratives, amplify outrage, and suppress inconvenient truths. their algorithms reward conformity, punish dissent, and optimize for engagement at the cost of nuance and complexity.

echo chambers are not an accident; they are a feature. users are fed content that reinforces their existing beliefs, deepens ideological divides, and reduces exposure to alternative perspectives. the result? a polarizednsociety, manipulated and dependent on corporate-controlled digital spaces.

if you rely entirely on these services, your online identity is not your own. it belongs to the platform, the algorithm, and the highest bidder.

so it might be time to take back control.

take control of your online presence

  • when sharing content online, remember that you’re at the mercy of platform administrators.

  • a ban, policy change, or algorithmic shift can make it difficult to access your content and connect with others.

  • when a social media platform is acquired by someone whose priorities don’t align with yours, you don’t want to scramble for alternatives - you want to have a strategy in place.

  • platforms are designed to maximize user engagement, not to serve your interests. by building your own website, you can reclaim control over your time, attention, and digital presence.

your website is the plan, not the backup plan

social media is a rented apartment; your website is a house you own. instead of placing your trust in a few corporate-controlled platforms, build your own digital home.

  • your website ensures that you retain control over your online identity and reputation.

  • if you need and use them: link your social media profiles back to your website, making it the central hub of your digital presence.

  • your audience will always know where to find you, regardless of what happens on social media.

  • even decentralized platforms can face governance issues - just look at the internal politics of the german wikipedia “community.”

embracing control over your online presence leads to a better, more intentional digital experience. you dictate the rules, not an algorithm.

your digital home, your rules

a personal website is more than just a portfolio - it’s an act of digital autonomy. it allows you to:

  • showcase your unique personality, interests, and talents without the constraints imposed by social media algorithms.

  • share original content - blogs, artwork, projects - without worrying about shadowbans or de-platforming.

  • own your domain, gaining control over how your information is presented, accessed, and engaged with. (I have registered reinwarth.de in 1996… and - I have to admit - rarely used it fully as desired)

  • moderate interaction on your terms - whether that means enabling thoughtful discussion or disabling comments entirely (as i do).

  • ensure privacy and security while managing your digital footprint.

  • experiment with different formats and styles, encouraging creativity and innovation in self-expression.

the web started with individual domains and personal sites. then, we handed over our digital lives to corporate giants in exchange for convenience and reach. now, those same corporations dictate the rules, manipulate behavior, and exploit their users.

it’s time to reclaim what was lost. your website isn’t an alternative - it’s the foundation. social media? just an accessory, never the core.