How does a user find the first web ring search engine?

The implication is that such functionality is bundled into this search engine.

What if they don’t want that multi step process?

Hard thing, but what are a few steps toavoiding AI spam results?

How do users avoid predatory web rings that are trying to sell them stuff?

That’s a moderation issue, alluded to being a problem that should be figured out separate to figuring out this web-ring federation.

How does this compete with existing search?

Existing on the sidelines and possibly leaching off DDG users who want a less bing dependent search.