WordPress used to have a Links section in the sidebar by default. It was later criticised for the default links being to WP founders/devs. But it was there, and you could change it.
Links are the web for me. "If you like my site maybe you will like what I like".
Back in the day (late 90's to early 2000's), sites would have something called a webring where sites would link to similar sites in a circular fashion. It was a good way to find similar sites and kinda a fun adventure.
WordPress used to have a Links section in the sidebar by default. It was later criticised for the default links being to WP founders/devs. But it was there, and you could change it.
Links are the web for me. "If you like my site maybe you will like what I like".
Go look at https://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/ - links!
Go look at other sites and if they are WP chances are no link list.
Am I blaming WP? Yes because I thought it was a terrible change. No because other site builders/SSG's appear to have followed.
Links make the web what it is.
We need more, not less.