I would rather have that than sites that are stealing my mouse inputs so it sticks to the UI elements. I hate it. Like let me control my own mouse please, theres a reason they didn't give you the ability to actually control where the mouse is via javascript, please leave it be.
this post was submitted on 13 May 2026
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Changing the cursor on sites is like a peak 90s and early 00s thing... This has been common on small personal websites for ever.
Are we really bitching about it nowadays?
We bitched about it then, we bitch about it now, and we'll keep bitching as long as it keeps happening.
Blitching
Reason #### not to allow random untrusted sites to run Javascript on your system. (I'm not actually sure how many reasons there are, but I am sure we must be into four digits by now.)
Everything that is old is new again. I remember little dogs that'd chase your cursor in like, 2002?
At least the AI hasn't figured out a way to install browser toolbars yet.
My Geocities page had the best cursors.
I was actually just thinking about those the other day and how I kindof miss them in a certain way. Just a silly little break from daily monotony of writing code; wiggle the cursor a bit and watch a tiny cat try to catch it.
As with anything web design, we should think about context and nuance. Is this a web tool where the user needs to do work? Is it designed with small buttons (for function or aesthetics)?
If so, probably keep the default pointer. Though if it's a splashy brand page with tiny buttons, I could imagine some other pointer styles that might be good.
Speaking of, is it something splashy and marketing heavy? Is it intended more as an experiment, experience, or intentional maximalist design?
If so, then I can see the argument. Accessibility still matters, though so implement graceful depredation so that folks who prefer motion effects disabled get a default pointer.
The answer is not "never change the pointer" but rather, "only break web standards if you have a good, well considered reason."
The nostalgia you just triggered in me
With vibe-coding, more and more websites I am visiting are changing my mouse pointer
That's a dangerous level of lazy.
Are there ways to detect them automatically? Those vibe-sites that don't change your pointer i mean. Because sharing any data with them (e-mail, credit card info) is a personal security risk.
Probably gonna be tough. Airbnb.com has stated that 60% of their code is being generated with AI. Probably tons of other sites don't publicly talk about it.
I'm more anti-screwing with the sidebar myself