Gel‐derived oxycarbide glasses have atomic network structures similar to that of vitreous silica glass but with carbon‐rich regions consisting of CSi4 tetrahedra and C–Si–O bonds finely dispersed in the glass. Therefore, oxycarbide glasses exhibit the so‐called “anomalous” hardness behavior, similar to silica‐rich glasses, with a substantial densification–strain component beneath the indenter. However, the role of carbon is twofold: on the one hand, the covalently bonded carbon atoms slightly affect the behavior, similar to the way network modifiers affect the behavior of silicate glasses, and favor a “normal” indentation behavior; and on the other hand, the free carbon, forming turbostratic graphite domains, provides easy crack initiation sites and low‐energy fracture paths. Almost concentric shear steps and microcracks, which follow the turbostratic graphite domains, are observed after indentation. The ultimate coalescence of the microcracks produces Hertzian‐type cone cracks.