What is The Hidden Wiki?
The Hidden Wiki is the name given to various wiki sites operating as darknet directories—collections of links to .onion sites organized by category. The original Hidden Wiki was one of the first major resources for navigating the Tor network.
Warning: This article is historical documentation. Many Hidden Wiki sites have contained links to illegal content. We do not link to any active Hidden Wiki or endorse visiting them.
History
Origins
The original Hidden Wiki emerges as a community-edited directory of Tor hidden services.
Silk Road Era
Hidden Wiki becomes primary way for new users to find Silk Road and other markets.
Freedom Hosting Takedown
Original Hidden Wiki hosted on Freedom Hosting is seized by FBI. Multiple mirrors emerge.
Fragmentation
Dozens of sites claim to be "The Hidden Wiki." Quality varies wildly—many are scams.
Structure
A typical Hidden Wiki is organized into categories:
- Introduction Points: Guides for new users
- Financial Services: Bitcoin services, mixers
- Commercial Services: Marketplaces
- Email/Messaging: Anonymous communication
- Forums: Discussion communities
- Hosting: Anonymous web hosting
Problems
Scam Links
Many "Hidden Wiki" sites are filled with phishing links and scam market URLs designed to steal Bitcoin.
Illegal Content
Some versions have linked to illegal material, leading to law enforcement attention.
Outdated Links
Onion addresses change frequently; many listed links are dead or seized.
No Verification
Anyone can edit—no guarantee that links are legitimate or safe.
Legacy
The Hidden Wiki concept demonstrated the need for darknet discovery mechanisms. Modern alternatives include:
- Ahmia: Search engine that filters illegal content
- Dark.fail: Verified market links (still active)
- Dread: Reddit-style forum with market discussions