This is a partial list of newsgroups that are significant for their popularity or their position in Usenet history.
The Big-8 hierarchies
These are the most widely distributed and carefully controlled newsgroup hierarchies. See Big 8 (Usenet) and the Great Renaming for more information.
comp
Computer-related topics.
news
Matters related to the functioning of Usenet itself.
- news.admin.net-abuse.email — discussion of abuse of email by spammers and other parties.
rec
Recreation and entertainment topics.
- rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated—discussion of Babylon 5 and other projects of J. Michael Straczynski.
sci
Science-related topics.
talk
Discussion of various topics, especially controversial ones. Includes political topics as well.
- talk.origins — evolution-creationism controversy which maintains an extensive FAQ.
The alt hierarchy
This is the most extensive newsgroup hierarchy outside of the Big 8. Examples include:
- alt.atheism — discusses atheism
- alt.binaries.slack — artwork created by and for the Church of the SubGenius.
- alt.config — creation of new newsgroups in the alt.* hierarchy.
- alt.gothic — first widespread on-line community for the goth subculture
- alt.sex — the first alt.* newsgroup for discussion of sexual topics.
- alt.sex.stories — text-based erotic stories of all types.
- alt.suicide.holiday — pro-choice discussion of suicide.
- alt.tv.simpsons — discusses the TV show The Simpsons.