Because these URLs are complex and cannot be searched on Google, index registries like Topic Links 2.0 became the primary directories where developers, researchers, and dark web users cataloged links by category. These indexes typically partition sites into distinct channels:
addresses were once the standard, they have since been replaced by the more advanced
Write a JavaScript function that, on page load, queries your server’s /api/related-topics?pageid=123 endpoint. The endpoint should return up to 10 related .onion internal links based on TF-IDF similarity. Example query: Topic Links 2.0 Onion
"Topic Links 2.0" refers to a known directory and link repository used within the Tor network to navigate .onion services . While it is often associated with curated lists of dark web resources, it is part of a broader ecosystem of "onion-location" features and directories designed to help users find hidden services that are not indexed by traditional search engines . Overview of Topic Links 2.0 and Onion Navigation
If you attempt to load a historical link from the original Topic Links 2.0 archive, the connection will fail. The Tor Project officially deprecated v2 onion services. Legacy v2 Onions (Topic Links 2.0 Era) Modern v3 Onions 16 characters 56 characters Cryptographic Standard SHA-1 and RSA-1024 (vulnerable) SHA3-256 and Ed25519 (secure) Directory Privacy Explorable (addresses could be harvested) Blinded (cannot be enumerated) Current Status Blocked by Tor core client Active standard Because these URLs are complex and cannot be
: By late 2019, users reported that TL2 was largely non-functional or had been replaced by a speculated "Topic Links 3.0".
Onion services—whether v2 or v3—provide a critical tool for journalists, whistleblowers, and activists. Organizations like DuckDuckGo The New York Times Example query: "Topic Links 2
To understand how directories catalog these links, it helps to understand the underlying infrastructure of Tor Onion Services .