aeeble

The Internet Map is a groundbreaking visualization of the global internet structure, displaying over 350,000 websites as interconnected circles. The size of each circle represents website traffic, while the distance between them signifies user navigation patterns. This unique representation reveals topical clusters and national website segments, providing insights into the hidden structure of the internet.

Key Features

The map uses a force-directed layout algorithm, drawing analogies from physics to position websites based on user switching patterns between them. Major national segments are color-coded, such as the Russian segment in red at the top, Chinese in yellow on the left, and American in light blue at the center. The map also reveals semantic clusters, including a large porno cluster between Brazil and Japan, and other topical groupings.

Technical Background

The project uses a mathematical model based on research and an engineering solution similar to described in referenced papers. The Google Maps engine is utilized for displaying the map, allowing for zooming and exploration. The data represents a snapshot from the end of 2011, encompassing websites from 196 countries across all domain zones.

Inspiration and Related Projects

The Internet Map has inspired other scientific projects, such as disease-map.net, which applies similar visualization concepts to medical data. The creator, Ruslan Enikeev, welcomes feedback and suggestions via email or his blog.