What is a webzine?

A webzine, short for web magazine, is a magazine that is published only online. It has an editorial voice, a clear theme and recurring sections, and it is made to be read on any device.

Definition

A webzine is a digital magazine native to the web. The word combines “web” and “zine”, the self-published magazines of independent writers. Unlike a news feed, a webzine is curated: someone chooses what is published and how it is presented. Unlike a company website, it has a point of view.

Webzine, blog or online magazine?

  • Webzine: curated, with sections, an editorial identity and a readership in mind.
  • Blog: personal posts in date order, usually by one author.
  • Online magazine: the broader term, often the online edition of a print title or a large commercial site.

Every webzine is an online magazine, but not every online magazine is a webzine.

Other names

E-zine, web magazine, online magazine, digital magazine, internet magazine and digital zine all mean much the same thing. Related terms are zine, fanzine, long-form content and multimedia journalism.

Types of webzines

Webzines exist for almost every subject: culture and arts, music, literature, technology, fashion and lifestyle, current affairs and niche communities. A type we know well is the place-based webzine, dedicated to one city, country or region, with stories on travel, gastronomy, culture, business, well-being and sustainable living.

What makes a good webzine

A good webzine has a clear identity and knows who it is for. It prefers depth over volume and chooses every piece with care. It uses what the web offers, such as video, audio, maps and photo galleries, and it builds a relationship with its readers, for instance through a community like the MAwebzine Community on Facebook.

Webzines on WEBZINEworld

WEBZINEworld is not a single webzine. It is a network of local webzines, each written by people who know their place. Meet our webzines or find the best places to eat, stay and visit in our Local Guides. Want to start your own? NOOR & NOOR guides you from concept to launch. Contact us

Frequently asked questions

What is a webzine?
A magazine published only on the internet, with the structure and craft of a print magazine and the multimedia possibilities of the web.
What is the difference between a webzine and a blog?
A blog is a personal feed of posts in date order. A webzine has sections, editors and curated content, like a magazine.
What are other words for a webzine?
E-zine, web magazine, online magazine, digital magazine and internet magazine.
What do webzines publish?
Articles, essays, interviews, fiction, photo essays, video, podcasts and interactive features, or a mix of these.
Are webzines free to read?
Many are, including those on WEBZINEworld. They are supported by advertising or by the passion of their makers. Others work with subscriptions or donations.
Webzine or e-zine?
The words mean about the same. E-zine is older and also covered email publications. Webzine implies a website.
Can anyone create a webzine?
Yes. Anyone with something to say and the discipline to publish regularly can. NOOR & NOOR helps you start, from concept to launch.
What makes WEBZINEworld different?
It brings many independent local webzines together, so readers find many voices and places in one network.
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