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BlinkList wants to make it easier for users to save a link as they find it. The user installs the BlinkList browser button then begins exploring the web. When the user locates a page they would like to access later, they can click the BlinkList button to “blink” the item (or save it). The user’s BlinkList can be accessed online or copied and saved for offline access. BlinkList automatically organizes links. Along with saving links in a click, the user can also quickly share them as they find pages. The BlinkList homepage provides users with three lists of highlighted links that include recently blinked, most blinked and popular topics as well as a handful of categories. The category options include blogs, business, entertainment, general interest, health, news, portals, social networking, sports, technology and support. BlinkList is available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

BlinkList was created in 2005. The application was intended to simplify the process of sharing and saving links. The user can save links as they find them without navigating away from the page. The application is property of the Startups.com Network, also recognized as KillerStartups.

BlinkList competes with other social bookmarking websites such as Digg. Unfortunately it is let down when it comes to quality in connection speed and regulation of site misuse by spammers.

The BlinkList website is a bit on the bland side however frilly design elements are really not necessary for a service like this one. The user is greeted by a plain white background with a dark blue header that runs across the top of the page and briefly explains how the service works. Below, the user can find three columns under a row of categories that feature links and popular topics. Navigation is slow and most features don't seem to work.

A new user can begin by clicking either the orange “Use Open ID” Button found in the upper, right hand corner of the homepage or the gold “Sign Up Now for Free” button positioned near the center of the homepage. The second button takes the user to the registration form, which requires a username, email address, password and Captcha code entry. The user must also check the small white box at the bottom of the form to confirm their agreement with the BlinkList terms and conditions and privacy policy.

BlinkList is a free service offered to anyone who is willing to make an account and sign in. The application does not require a subscription fee or any other charge for using its services. This is definitely a good choice considering the simplicity of the service offered. That is not to say that BlinkList isn’t a convenient alternative to standard browser bookmarks, but it is definitely a service that would require more features to justify a subscription fee.

Due to its sluggish performance and quite underhanded attempts to gather personal data, we recommend you use another service.

• Connect and Login with your Open ID credentials
• Install the BlinkList browser button
• Instantly save or share a website without navigating away from it
• Download a copy of your BlinkList URLs
• View most and recently blinked URLs as well as popular topics

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