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.