Cursor Trails

What it was

Cursor trails followed the pointer with stars, sparkles, letters, or tiny images, turning navigation into decoration.

Why people remember it

• They made a page feel interactive before rich web apps were common.
• They were often distracting and delightful.
• They remind us that early web design was full of unnecessary joy.

What replaced it

Usually a platform feature, a private analytics dashboard, a cleaner app pattern, or a feed. The behavior rarely disappears; it gets renamed and absorbed.