The Webby Awards recognize the best websites, apps, podcasts, and online video each year
The Webby Awards are annual prizes given to websites, mobile apps, podcasts, online video, and other digital work. The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences — a nonprofit organization made up of industry professionals — judges entries and hands out awards in hundreds of categories. Winners get a physical trophy, a digital badge they can display on their site, and public recognition in the awards ceremony and press coverage.
The awards started in 1996 and have run every year since. They are one of the oldest and most visible recognition systems for digital work on the internet. If you have visited a website's footer or homepage and seen a small "Webby Award Winner" badge, that site entered the competition and won in its category.
The awards matter to website owners and creators because winning brings credibility and traffic. A Webby Award tells visitors that an independent panel of experts judged the site and found it worth recognizing. For small businesses and independent creators, a win can be the difference between being found and being overlooked.
Key Takeaways
- The Webby Awards judge websites, apps, podcasts, and video in hundreds of categories each year, with winners announced in a public ceremony.
- The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences runs the awards, and judges are industry professionals who review entries in their field.
- Winning sites get a physical trophy, a digital badge for their website, and media coverage that can drive traffic and credibility.
- Entry costs money — fees vary by category but typically range from $75 to $300 per entry — so only sites that believe they have a real chance usually enter.
- The awards cover everything from news sites and e-commerce to podcasts, streaming video, and mobile apps, so there is a category for almost any type of digital work.
How the Webby Awards are judged
Judges are professionals who work in digital media, design, marketing, and technology. The International Academy recruits judges from companies, agencies, and independent practices. A judge typically reviews entries in their area of expertise — a podcast judge knows audio production, a web design judge knows user experience, and so on.
Each entry is scored on a rubric that varies by category. Common criteria include design, functionality, user experience, and how well the site or app solves a real problem. Some categories also weight innovation, accessibility, and how the work stands out from competitors in the same space.
The judging process is blind, meaning judges do not know who created the entry. This is meant to prevent bias toward famous brands or well-known creators. A small independent podcast competes on the same footing as a major media company's show.
The different award categories
The Webby Awards split into broad categories: Websites, Mobile Apps, Podcasts, Video, and Advertising. Within each, there are dozens of subcategories. For example, the Websites category includes News, E-Commerce, Portfolio, Education, Health & Wellness, and many others. Mobile Apps splits into categories like Productivity, Games, Social, and Health & Fitness.
There is also a People's Voice Award, which is voted on by the public rather than judges. Anyone can vote on entries in the People's Voice categories, and the votes are tallied to crown winners. Some entries win both a Webby Award (from judges) and a People's Voice Award (from public voting).
The full list of categories changes slightly each year as the internet evolves. New categories are added when a type of digital work becomes common enough to warrant its own recognition — for example, categories for AI-powered tools and voice assistants have been added in recent years.
How much it costs to enter
Entering the Webby Awards is not free. Entry fees typically range from $75 to $300 per entry, depending on the category and whether you are entering as an individual, small business, or large organization. Some categories cost more than others. A single website can enter multiple categories if the creator thinks it deserves recognition in more than one area.
The fee covers the cost of judging, the ceremony, and the infrastructure to run the awards. Because there is a cost, most entries come from people and organizations that believe they have a real shot at winning. This keeps the number of entries manageable and means judges are not drowning in low-effort submissions.
The International Academy also offers discounts for nonprofits and educational institutions, and sometimes runs early-bird pricing before the official deadline.
What winning actually means for a website or app
A Webby Award win gives a creator something concrete to point to. The winner gets a physical trophy, a digital badge that can be placed on the website or app, and their work is listed on the Webby Awards website. The awards ceremony is held in New York, and winners are invited to attend and celebrate.
The real value is in the credibility and traffic that comes after. Press outlets often cover Webby winners, especially in the tech and design press. A win can be mentioned in job interviews, investor pitches, and marketing materials. For a small business or creator, this kind of third-party validation is hard to get any other way.
That said, not winning does not mean a website or app is bad. Many excellent sites and apps never enter because the entry fee is not worth it to them, or because the creators do not think about awards at all. The Webby Awards recognize a subset of the internet's best work, not all of it.
How the Webby Awards fit into the broader awards landscape
The Webby Awards are one of several major recognition systems for digital work. Other well-known awards include the Cannes Lions (which includes digital categories), the Shorty Awards (focused on social media and short-form content), and the One Show (which covers advertising and design). Some industries have their own awards — journalism has the Pulitzers, podcasting has the Podcast Academy Awards, and so on.
The Webby Awards stand out because they are specifically for digital work and have been around since the early days of the web. They are also broad enough to cover many types of digital creation, from a personal blog to a major news organization. This breadth makes them relevant to a wide range of creators.
For many people in the digital industry, a Webby Award is a career milestone. It shows up on resumes, in portfolio introductions, and in company bios. It is not the only measure of quality, but it is a recognized one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enter the Webby Awards if I am not a professional?
Yes. The Webby Awards accept entries from individuals, small businesses, nonprofits, and large organizations. You do not need to be a professional designer or developer to enter. If you have created a website, app, podcast, or video that you think is worth recognizing, you can pay the entry fee and submit it. Judges will evaluate it on its own merits.
What happens if I win a Webby Award?
You receive a physical trophy, a digital badge you can display on your website or app, and your work is listed on the Webby Awards website. You are invited to the awards ceremony in New York. Your win is often covered by press outlets and can be used in marketing and professional materials. The main benefit is credibility and the traffic that comes from media coverage and the badge on your site.
How many entries does the Webby Awards receive each year?
The number varies by year, but the Webby Awards typically receive thousands of entries across all categories. Because there is an entry fee, the number is lower than it would be if entry were free. This keeps the judging process manageable and means judges are reviewing work that creators believe is worth submitting.
Can a website win multiple Webby Awards?
Yes. A single website can enter multiple categories if it fits the criteria for each one. For example, a news site might enter the News category and also the Design category. If it wins in both, it receives two awards. Some sites also win both a Webby Award (from judges) and a People's Voice Award (from public voting) in the same category.
Is a Webby Award the same as being verified or endorsed by the government?
No. The Webby Awards are run by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a nonprofit organization of industry professionals. They are not a government program and do not represent government endorsement. A Webby Award is a recognition from the digital industry, not a certification or official seal.