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(Added all the web archive links as i said)
(TNRed everything that was TNR.)
 
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{{TOC}}The '''tagline''' is a short text that appears at the top of the [[xkcd]] main page, regardless of which comic is being viewed. It provided a brief description of the comic and its update schedule, until the latter was moved to the [[header text]]. While the tagline has evolved since the early days of the site, it has consistently referenced the comic's themes.
+
<noinclude>{{xkcd.com}}[[File:xkcd_header.png|thumb|right|250px|The [[Design of xkcd.com#Header section|Header section]] is one of the [[Design of xkcd.com|four main sections]] of the [https://xkcd.com xkcd.com] website.]]{{TOC}}The '''tagline''' is a short text that appears at the top of [https://xkcd.com xkcd.com]. Unlike the [[Header text|header text]], the tagline always stays the same, regardless of which comic is being viewed. It used to provide a brief description of the comic, its update schedule, and a few links, until the latter two were moved to the [[Header text|header text]] and [[Links|links section]]. It states:
  
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==0. Before the tagline==
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</noinclude><div style="font-variant: small-caps; font-weight: 800; font-size: 20px; width: 760px; line-height: 120%;" class="plainlinks">
−
Prior to [https://web.archive.org/web/20041024201125/http://68.57.186.221:8080/ October 24th, 2004], before the initial tagline was introduced, the website didn't use the name "xkcd" and didn't include any comics. During that time, the site's message simply stated:
+
:''A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.''</div><noinclude>
 +
 
 +
==History==
 +
While the tagline has evolved since the early days of the site, it has almost always referenced the comic's themes. Here is a quick summary of the major changes that were made to the tagline, along with a link to the earliest web archive of it available:
 +
 
 +
1. [https://web.archive.org/web/20051018051614/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ October 18, 2005]
 +
:{{TNR|{{{1|I draw things. There's a new one every M/W/F.<br>
 +
There's an RSS feed (taken from the [http://www.livejournal.com/users/xkcd_drawings/info drawings journal]) [http://www.livejournal.com/users/xkcd_drawings/rss.xml here].}}}}}
 +
2. [...]<br>3. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060207154349/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ February 7, 2006]
 +
:{{TNR|{{{1|A webcomic of romance and math humor.<br>
 +
Updated three times a week.<br>
 +
[[File:feed icon.png]]<span class="plainlinks">[http://www.xkcd.com/rss.xml RSS Feed]</span>}}}}}
 +
4. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060408214700/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ April 8, 2006]
 +
:{{TNR|{{{1|A webcomic of romance and geek humor. Updated on time every M/W/F since 1779.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
[[File:feed icon.png]]<span class="plainlinks">[http://www.xkcd.com/rss.xml RSS Feed]</span>}}}}}
 +
5. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060415190501/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ April 15, 2006]
 +
:{{TNR|{{{1|A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.<br>
 +
Updated every MWF.<br><br>
 +
[[File:feed icon.png]]<span class="plainlinks">[http://www.xkcd.com/rss.xml RSS Feed]</span><br>
 +
'''New:''' <span class="plainlinks">[http://forums.xkcd.com/ Forums]</span>}}}}}
 +
6. [...]<br>7. [...]<br>8. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060710090528/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ July 10, 2006] (current)
 +
:'''''A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.'''''
 +
 
 +
===Before the tagline===
 +
Prior to [https://web.archive.org/web/20041024201125/http://68.57.186.221:8080/ October 24, 2004], before the initial tagline was introduced, the website didn't mention the name "xkcd" and didn't include any comics. During that time, the site's message simply stated:
  
 
:I don't use this page for much. It goes un-updated for a long time, and I don't really change the content, though I'm thinking of putting together a good links page. For now I just mostly use this to host pictures.
 
:I don't use this page for much. It goes un-updated for a long time, and I don't really change the content, though I'm thinking of putting together a good links page. For now I just mostly use this to host pictures.
  
−
==1. First tagline==
+
===First tagline===
−
The first recognized tagline, as the site transitioned into hosting comics, was used from at least [https://web.archive.org/web/20051018051614/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ October 18th, 2005], to [https://web.archive.org/web/20051126155339/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ November 26th, 2005]. It stated:
+
The first recognized tagline, as the site transitioned into hosting comics, was used from at least [https://web.archive.org/web/20051018051614/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ October 18th, 2005], to [https://web.archive.org/web/20051126155339/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ November 26, 2005]. It stated:<span class="plainlinks">
  
 
:I draw things. There's a new one every M/W/F. There's an RSS feed (taken from the [http://www.livejournal.com/users/xkcd_drawings/info drawings journal]) [http://www.livejournal.com/users/xkcd_drawings/rss.xml here].
 
:I draw things. There's a new one every M/W/F. There's an RSS feed (taken from the [http://www.livejournal.com/users/xkcd_drawings/info drawings journal]) [http://www.livejournal.com/users/xkcd_drawings/rss.xml here].
Line 13: Line 38:
 
This tagline effectively communicated the core premise of xkcd: the author, Randall Munroe, drawing various illustrations and publishing a new comic every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It also provided a link to the RSS feed for users to access new comics as soon as they were released.
 
This tagline effectively communicated the core premise of xkcd: the author, Randall Munroe, drawing various illustrations and publishing a new comic every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It also provided a link to the RSS feed for users to access new comics as soon as they were released.
  
−
==2. Second tagline==
+
===Second tagline===
−
The second tagline, introduced after a brief break from [https://web.archive.org/web/20051212080000/http://www.xkcd.com/ December 5th, 2005], to [https://web.archive.org/web/20060111073256/http://xkcd.com:80/ January 4th, 2006], removed the reference to the update schedule, as no comics were published during that period. It stated:
+
The second tagline, introduced after a brief break from [https://web.archive.org/web/20051212080000/http://www.xkcd.com/ December 5, 2005], to [https://web.archive.org/web/20060111073256/http://xkcd.com:80/ January 4, 2006], removed the reference to the update schedule, as no comics were published during that period. It stated:
  
 
:I draw things. There's an RSS feed (taken from the [http://www.livejournal.com/users/xkcd_drawings/info drawings journal]) [http://www.livejournal.com/users/xkcd_drawings/rss.xml here].
 
:I draw things. There's an RSS feed (taken from the [http://www.livejournal.com/users/xkcd_drawings/info drawings journal]) [http://www.livejournal.com/users/xkcd_drawings/rss.xml here].
  
−
==3. Third tagline==
+
===Third tagline===
−
On [https://web.archive.org/web/20060207154349/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ February 7th, 2006], a new tagline was introduced, which marked the beginning of a series of major changes to the tagline format. It read:
+
On [https://web.archive.org/web/20060207154349/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ February 7, 2006], a new tagline was introduced, which marked the beginning of a series of major changes to the tagline format. It read:
  
 
:A webcomic of romance and math humor.
 
:A webcomic of romance and math humor.
 
:Updated three times a week.
 
:Updated three times a week.
−
:[http://www.xkcd.com/rss.xml RSS Feed]
+
:<span class="plainlinks">[[File:feed icon.png]][http://www.xkcd.com/rss.xml RSS Feed]</span>
  
−
This third tagline highlighted the themes of romance and math humor prevalent in the comic, along with the old update schedule of three times a week.
+
This third tagline highlighted the themes of romance and math humor prevalent in the comic, along with the old update schedule of three times a week. It also added an icon for the RSS feed, which would be used until the current tagline.
  
−
==4. Fourth tagline==
+
===Fourth tagline===
−
Between February 7th, 2006, and [https://web.archive.org/web/20060408214700/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ April 8th, 2006], the fourth tagline made a minor alteration by emphasizing the regularity of updates. It stated:
+
Between February 7, 2006, and [https://web.archive.org/web/20060408214700/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ April 8, 2006], the fourth tagline made a minor alteration by emphasizing the regularity of updates. It stated:
  
 
:A webcomic of romance and geek humor. Updated on time every M/W/F since 1779.
 
:A webcomic of romance and geek humor. Updated on time every M/W/F since 1779.
−
:
+
:<br>
−
:[http://www.xkcd.com/rss.xml RSS Feed]
+
:[[File:feed icon.png]]<span class="plainlinks">[http://www.xkcd.com/rss.xml RSS Feed]</span>
  
 
This modification humorously suggested that the comic had been consistently updating for a significant period, dating back to the year 1779, and continued to provide the RSS feed link.
 
This modification humorously suggested that the comic had been consistently updating for a significant period, dating back to the year 1779, and continued to provide the RSS feed link.
  
−
==5. Fifth tagline==
+
===Fifth tagline===
−
The fifth tagline, added between [https://web.archive.org/web/20060414185010/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ April 14th, 2006], and [https://web.archive.org/web/20060415190501/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ April 15th, 2006], further expanded the description of the comic and introduced new features. It read:
+
The fifth tagline, added between [https://web.archive.org/web/20060414185010/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ April 14, 2006], and [https://web.archive.org/web/20060415190501/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ April 15, 2006], further expanded the description of the comic and introduced new features. It read:
  
 
:A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
 
:A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
 
:Updated every MWF.
 
:Updated every MWF.
−
:
+
:<br>
−
:[http://www.xkcd.com/rss.xml RSS Feed]
+
:<span class="plainlinks">[[File:feed icon.png]][http://www.xkcd.com/rss.xml RSS Feed]</span>
−
:'''New:''' [http://forums.xkcd.com/ Forums]
+
:<span class="plainlinks">'''New:''' [http://forums.xkcd.com/ Forums]</span>
  
 
This tagline was the first to mention all the comic's themes that are still on the site today. It also highlighted the update schedule of every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and added a link to the new xkcd forums, providing readers with a platform for discussion.
 
This tagline was the first to mention all the comic's themes that are still on the site today. It also highlighted the update schedule of every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and added a link to the new xkcd forums, providing readers with a platform for discussion.
  
−
==6. Sixth tagline==
+
===Sixth tagline===
−
The sixth tagline, introduced before [https://web.archive.org/web/20060423090851/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ April 23rd, 2006], maintained the same description of the comic, but adjusted the wording of the update schedule. It read:
+
The sixth tagline, introduced before [https://web.archive.org/web/20060423090851/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ April 23, 2006], maintained the same description of the comic, but adjusted the wording of the update schedule. It stated:
  
 
:A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
 
:A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
 
:Updated every Mon/Wed/Fri.
 
:Updated every Mon/Wed/Fri.
−
:[http://www.xkcd.com/rss.xml RSS Feed]
+
:<span class="plainlinks">[[File:feed icon.png]][http://www.xkcd.com/rss.xml RSS Feed]</span>
−
:'''New:''' [http://forums.xkcd.com/ Forums]
+
:<span class="plainlinks">'''New:''' [http://forums.xkcd.com/ Forums]</span>
  
 
This change in the update schedule format from "MWF" to "Mon/Wed/Fri" aimed to enhance clarity and readability for users.
 
This change in the update schedule format from "MWF" to "Mon/Wed/Fri" aimed to enhance clarity and readability for users.
  
−
==7. Seventh tagline==
+
===Seventh tagline===
−
The seventh tagline, introduced between [https://web.archive.org/web/20060613074925/http://xkcd.com:80/ June 13th, 2006], and [https://web.archive.org/web/20060616004747/http://xkcd.com:80/ June 16th, 2006], maintained the same overall description of the comic, but removed the "'''New:'''" notice before the link to the forums. It read:
+
The seventh tagline, introduced between [https://web.archive.org/web/20060613074925/http://xkcd.com:80/ June 13, 2006], and [https://web.archive.org/web/20060616004747/http://xkcd.com:80/ June 16, 2006], maintained the same overall description of the comic, but removed the "'''New:'''" notice before the link to the forums. It read:
  
 
:A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
 
:A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
 
:Updated every Mon/Wed/Fri.
 
:Updated every Mon/Wed/Fri.
−
:[http://www.xkcd.com/rss.xml RSS Feed]
+
:<span class="plainlinks">[[File:feed icon.png]][http://www.xkcd.com/rss.xml RSS Feed]</span>
−
:[http://forums.xkcd.com/ Forums]
+
:<span class="plainlinks">[http://forums.xkcd.com/ Forums]</span>
  
−
==8. Current tagline==
+
===Current tagline===
−
The tagline underwent its final change between [https://web.archive.org/web/20060706040359/http://xkcd.com:80/ July 6th, 2006], and [https://web.archive.org/web/20060710090528/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ July 10th, 2006], coinciding with the site redesign. The updated tagline no longer explicitly mentioned the update schedule, which was moved to the [[header text]], and the forums, which were moved to the [[links]]. It read:
+
The tagline underwent its final change between [https://web.archive.org/web/20060706040359/http://xkcd.com:80/ July 6, 2006], and [https://web.archive.org/web/20060710090528/http://www.xkcd.com:80/ July 10t, 2006], coinciding with the site redesign. The updated tagline no longer explicitly mentioned the update schedule, which was moved to the [[Header text|header text]], and the forums, which were moved to the [[Links|links]]. It reads:
  
−
:A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
+
:'''''A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.'''''
  
 
This concise tagline, without additional details or links, has since remained the official tagline of xkcd.
 
This concise tagline, without additional details or links, has since remained the official tagline of xkcd.
  
−
[[Category:Design of xkcd]]
+
[[Category:Design of xkcd.com]]{{xkcdmeta}}
−
{{xkcdmeta}}
 

Latest revision as of 16:07, 10 November 2025

Design of xkcd.com   |   Links  •  Tagline  •  Header text  •  Comic  •  Title text  •  Footer comics  •  Feeds  •  Comics I enjoy  •  Other things  •  Warning  •  Bitcoin address  • Footnote  •  License and copyright
The Header section is one of the four main sections of the xkcd.com website.
The tagline is a short text that appears at the top of xkcd.com. Unlike the header text, the tagline always stays the same, regardless of which comic is being viewed. It used to provide a brief description of the comic, its update schedule, and a few links, until the latter two were moved to the header text and links section. It states:
A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.

History[edit]

While the tagline has evolved since the early days of the site, it has almost always referenced the comic's themes. Here is a quick summary of the major changes that were made to the tagline, along with a link to the earliest web archive of it available:

1. October 18, 2005

I draw things. There's a new one every M/W/F.

There's an RSS feed (taken from the drawings journal) here.

2. [...]
3. February 7, 2006

A webcomic of romance and math humor.

Updated three times a week.
feed icon.pngRSS Feed

4. April 8, 2006

A webcomic of romance and geek humor. Updated on time every M/W/F since 1779.


feed icon.pngRSS Feed

5. April 15, 2006

A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.

Updated every MWF.

feed icon.pngRSS Feed
New: Forums

6. [...]
7. [...]
8. July 10, 2006 (current)

A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.

Before the tagline[edit]

Prior to October 24, 2004, before the initial tagline was introduced, the website didn't mention the name "xkcd" and didn't include any comics. During that time, the site's message simply stated:

I don't use this page for much. It goes un-updated for a long time, and I don't really change the content, though I'm thinking of putting together a good links page. For now I just mostly use this to host pictures.

First tagline[edit]

The first recognized tagline, as the site transitioned into hosting comics, was used from at least October 18th, 2005, to November 26, 2005. It stated:

I draw things. There's a new one every M/W/F. There's an RSS feed (taken from the drawings journal) here.

This tagline effectively communicated the core premise of xkcd: the author, Randall Munroe, drawing various illustrations and publishing a new comic every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It also provided a link to the RSS feed for users to access new comics as soon as they were released.

Second tagline[edit]

The second tagline, introduced after a brief break from December 5, 2005, to January 4, 2006, removed the reference to the update schedule, as no comics were published during that period. It stated:

I draw things. There's an RSS feed (taken from the drawings journal) here.

Third tagline[edit]

On February 7, 2006, a new tagline was introduced, which marked the beginning of a series of major changes to the tagline format. It read:

A webcomic of romance and math humor.
Updated three times a week.
feed icon.pngRSS Feed

This third tagline highlighted the themes of romance and math humor prevalent in the comic, along with the old update schedule of three times a week. It also added an icon for the RSS feed, which would be used until the current tagline.

Fourth tagline[edit]

Between February 7, 2006, and April 8, 2006, the fourth tagline made a minor alteration by emphasizing the regularity of updates. It stated:

A webcomic of romance and geek humor. Updated on time every M/W/F since 1779.

feed icon.pngRSS Feed

This modification humorously suggested that the comic had been consistently updating for a significant period, dating back to the year 1779, and continued to provide the RSS feed link.

Fifth tagline[edit]

The fifth tagline, added between April 14, 2006, and April 15, 2006, further expanded the description of the comic and introduced new features. It read:

A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
Updated every MWF.

feed icon.pngRSS Feed
New: Forums

This tagline was the first to mention all the comic's themes that are still on the site today. It also highlighted the update schedule of every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and added a link to the new xkcd forums, providing readers with a platform for discussion.

Sixth tagline[edit]

The sixth tagline, introduced before April 23, 2006, maintained the same description of the comic, but adjusted the wording of the update schedule. It stated:

A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
Updated every Mon/Wed/Fri.
feed icon.pngRSS Feed
New: Forums

This change in the update schedule format from "MWF" to "Mon/Wed/Fri" aimed to enhance clarity and readability for users.

Seventh tagline[edit]

The seventh tagline, introduced between June 13, 2006, and June 16, 2006, maintained the same overall description of the comic, but removed the "New:" notice before the link to the forums. It read:

A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
Updated every Mon/Wed/Fri.
feed icon.pngRSS Feed
Forums

Current tagline[edit]

The tagline underwent its final change between July 6, 2006, and July 10t, 2006, coinciding with the site redesign. The updated tagline no longer explicitly mentioned the update schedule, which was moved to the header text, and the forums, which were moved to the links. It reads:

A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.

This concise tagline, without additional details or links, has since remained the official tagline of xkcd.

Retrieved from "https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Tagline&oldid=390512"