Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 are different generations of Internet services in the way users interact with the Internet. Read the differences between them on the blog.
As we are aware, the Internet has been through several milestones before having reached its current stage. Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 are the different generations of Internet services, which are distinctly different in the way users interact with the Internet.
While following the world of blockchain, you may come across the terms Web 2.0 and Web 3.0. It is important to understand the difference between the two in order to know why you may need Web 3.0.
Let us understand these in detail. Web 2.0 is the version of the Internet today. It is an internet dominated by companies providing services in exchange for personal data. On the other hand, Web 3.0 refers to the decentralized apps running on the blockchain, which allow anyone to participate without monetizing their personal data.
Owing to Ethereum’s inherent decentralization, Web 3.0 developers chose to build these apps. No permission is required to use the service, and no one can block or deny access. And payments are made through ether (ETH), the native token. With Ethereum, one can program anything.
Web 2.0
Web 2.0 is an enhanced version of Web 1.0, which refers to worldwide websites that highlight user-generated content, usability, and interoperability for end-users. The way web pages are designed and used has been modified here. In a social media dialogue, interaction and collaboration are allowed as the creator of user-generated content in a virtual community.
Key features:
Some of its key features include free sorting of information and permitting users to retrieve and classify it collectively. The information flows between site owners and users through evaluation and online commenting. The developed APIs allow self-usage by a software application. The application of Web 2.0 tends to interact more with the end-user, who is also a participant.
Web 3.0
Web 3.0 refers to the evolution of web utilization and interaction, which implies altering the web into a database. It describes the evolution of web usage and interaction among several paths. Data is owned, but shared, and services show different views for the same data.
Key features:
Web 3.0 aims at establishing information in a reasonable manner than Google can do with its existing engine. Web 3.0 uses a decentralized network for passing data to the control of owners. It takes away the need for centralized intermediaries and introduces the universality of information.
Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 – A Comparison
There are several prominent differences between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 services. Some of these have been explained in brief here.
| CRITERIA | WEB 2.0 | WEB 3.0 |
| Definition | The second generation of Internet services focused on interaction. | The third generation of Internet services focused on decentralization and semantic learning. |
| Focus | Web 2.0 focuses on community development. | Web 3.0 focuses on empowering individual users. |
| Technologies | The technologies used in Web 2.0 are AJAX, JavaScript, HTML 5 and CSS 3. | The technologies used in Web 3.0 are Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Decentralized Protocols. |
| Types of Applications | Web applications | Smart applications based on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning |
| State of Data | Network owns the data | Entities have ownership over data and its sharing and use. |
| Features | Key features of Web 2.0 include improved interaction and introduction of web applications. | Key features of Web 3.0 include smart, web-based applications and functionalities. It also includes better blend of web technology and knowledge representation. |
| Payments | Payment service may disallow payments for certain work. | No personal data is required in Payment apps and it cannot prevent payments. |
| Servers | Servers can go down and affect income of workers. | Web 3.0 Servers use Ethereum, a decentralized network of several computers as back-end. And hence, servers cannot go down. |
Conclusion
Web 3.0 is equipped with better security, trust and privacy. It presents better advantages than Web 2.0, with promising infrastructure for interaction between humans and machines. Web 3.0 is the decentralized web that will be largely based on decentralized protocols. However, Web 2.0 is the common foundation for many web applications we use today.
Limitations of 3.0
- Transactions in Web 3.0 are slower, as they are decentralized. Any change needs to be processed and propagated through the network.
- There is a lack of integration in modern browsers, making it less accessible to modern users.
- Interacting with Web 3.0 applications requires extra education and software, which may hinder its adoption.
- Considering that Web 3.0 is more expensive than Web 2.0, most successful DApps put only small portions of their code on the blockchain.
I’m a professional writer and I have been involved in the cryptocurrency industry for over 4 years. I have written for major publications such as CoinDesk, Bitcoin Magazine, and ETHNews. My work focuses on providing news and analysis of the latest trends and developments in the crypto space.
I have a strong interest in blockchain technology and how it can be used to create new economic opportunities and improve social welfare. I believe that cryptocurrencies will play a major role in the future of finance and commerce. As such, I am always keen to learn more about this rapidly evolving industry.
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