The World Wide Web (WWW), has been driven through significant transformations since its beginning. Web1, Web2, and Web3 describe different stages of its evolution. Each represents other characteristics and improvements in technology, user experiences, and the overall functionality of the Web.
Web1 was static and read-only, whereas Web2 introduced user-generated content and interactivity, and Web3 mainly focused on intelligence, decentralization, and personalized experiences by leveraging emerging technologies. Each iteration represents a meaningful step in the evolution of the Web.
Web1
The term "Web1" describes the early development of the World Wide Web. In Web1, most users were content consumers, and there were very few content creators. Personal websites were widespread and mainly included static pages maintained on free web hosts or servers controlled by ISPs.
Web1 forbids the viewing of ads while browsing websites. Ofoto, another online digital photography website from Web1, allowed users to store, share, view, and print digital images. Web1 is known as a content delivery network (CDN) that enables websites to present information. One can use it as their webpage. It costs the user as per pages viewed. Users can access specific pieces of information from its directories. Web1 was prevalent from around 1991 until 2004.
Web2
When Tim O'Reilly and Dale Dougherty convened the First Web2 conference (later known as the Web2 summit), the phrase "Web2" was first created by Darcy DiNucci. Worldwide websites emphasizing user-generated content, usability, and interoperability for end users are called "Web2."
Web2 is also known as the participatory social web. It does not mean to change any technical requirements, but rather to alter the layout and functionality of Web pages. Although the shift is advantageous, it does not seem that way when the changes occur. Web2 enables interaction and cooperation between individuals in a social media discussion as the producer of user-generated content in an online community. Web1 has been improved in Web2.
Web3
It refers to the growth of online usage and interaction, which involves transforming the Web into a database with the integration of DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology, or blockchain, for example). That data can help to create smart Contracts based on the individual's demands.
Web3 focuses on enhanced interoperability, decentralized deployment of user-generated content, and blockchain-based tokenization. Your data is stored on your crypto wallet on Web3. You'll use your wallet to interact with apps and communities on Web3 and take your data with you when you log out. In theory, because you own this data, you can determine whether or not to monetize it.
Web3 envisions an internet in which individuals own what they create and may participate in decentralized networks instead of data and content being centralized in a limited set of firms.
Web3 anticipates the future. Many innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs hope to model the internet after blockchains, similar to cryptocurrencies. The Web3 will essentially become more interactive and decentralized. Web3 supporters expect that it will result in greater shared value among internet users. To establish ownership of their work, users may be able to earn tokens, which may even be used as currency.
Differences between Web1, Web2, and Web3
The differences between Web1, Web2, and Web3 are as follows:
1. Web1:
Web1 had static web pages with little multimedia.
- User Involvement: Users' interactions were confined mainly to viewing and consuming content.
- Technologies: To create the website, HTML, CSS, and simple JavaScript were utilized.
- Centralized Control: The publishing and content processes were entirely controlled by the website owners.
- Business Models: The two primary sources of income were advertising and online sales.
- Examples include static company websites, online brochures, and the earliest versions of search engines like Yahoo!
2. Web2
Web2 popularized user-generated and dynamic content, such as social networking posts, blogs, and videos.
- User Contribution: Users actively engaged with content, adding comments, sharing, and producing original content.
- Technologies: Rich internet applications (RIA), AJAX, and JavaScript frameworks allowed for more responsive and dynamic web experiences.
- Social Connectivity: Social networking platforms introduced by Web2 have fostered online groups and connections.
- Users might share expertise, work together on projects, and participate in crowd-sourced activities.
- Business Models: Data-driven services, freemium models, and advertising gained popularity.
- A few examples are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Wikipedia, blogs, and forums.
3. Web3
Web3 intends to deliver highly customized and context-aware content with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
- User Contribution: Users are still creating material but concentrating on decentralized software and smart contracts.
- Technologies: Web3 uses advanced inventions like blockchain, AI, IoT, and decentralized protocols.
- Web3 has made Peer-to-peer transactions, distributed data storage, and decentralized governance possible. They also support decentralization.
- Data Interoperability: Web3 powerfully highlights the portability and interoperability of data across various platforms and services.
- Privacy and Security: Web3. has prioritized user control over data, increased privacy, and enhanced security measures.
- Business Models: Decentralized finance (DeFi) models, token economies, and cryptocurrencies are becoming more popular.
- Some examples are decentralized applications (dApps), blockchain-based systems like Ethereum, IPFS (InterPlanetary File System), and initiatives devoted to identity management and digital sovereignty.
Conclusion
The World Wide Web's development from Web1 to Web2 and Web3 reflects an incredible development journey, user empowerment, and technological innovation.
By offering static web pages and primary information distribution, Web1 created the groundwork. By enabling user-generated content, social connectedness, and interactive experiences, Web2 changed the web. With the beginning of online 3.0, a more intelligent, decentralized, and customized online is already emerging, utilizing technologies like AI, blockchain, and IoT.
The transition from Web1 to Web3 shows the web's ongoing development and potential, offering intriguing prospects for data management, decentralized applications, and future digital interactions.
