Web1.0
When the internet first started, all web pages were still static. Information was formatted on a web page, and everything you saw was manually entered by the administrator of that page. No information was dynamically generated. If you wanted to disseminate this information, you had to share it via email and similar media. If you wanted information about a specific subject, you had to go to the source to find the relevant information. We know this state of the internet today as Web 1.0, which was primarily focused on the user's interaction with the web.
Web2.0
In the years that followed, the internet underwent major development, which gradually came to be called Web 2.0. Web 2.0 focused primarily on rapid sharing, viewing information, and interaction between users via the web, which evolved into the phenomenon of Social Media (Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, etc.).
Web3.0
Slowly but surely, Web 3.0 is now also beginning to make its entrance into the internet world, or should I say: into our lives? Web 3.0 will focus primarily on the user, whereby – unlike Web 2.0 – the web will adapt to the user.
What are the features of Web 3.0?
Experts also refer to Web 3.0 as the 'semantic web'. Semantic (to stay in Dutch terms for a moment) stands for 'data-driven'. Thanks to the semantic web, systems are able to understand relationships between information. For example, if you, as a designer, frequently search for 'editorial design' and subsequently search for 'book', the display of search results for 'book' will take into account that you are interested in 'design' and a specific type of design, namely 'editorial design'.
What are the benefits of Web 3.0?
A major advantage mentioned for Web 3.0 is that data can be viewed not only from home, but from anywhere in the world, using smartphones and cloud applications, among other things. The benefit of this is that you can access your files from anywhere in the world and will never again have the problem of a forgotten or lost USB stick.
Another advantage is that you will browse the web more easily. Search engines will know even better what you are looking for and will therefore be able to display better search results. For marketers, this naturally has the advantage that they can place more targeted advertisements and that you, as a visitor, actually receive the advertisements you are interested in (although advertisements on websites are generally still perceived as annoying).
Another advantage of Web 3.0 is that it knows, for example, that you are going to the pub with your friends on Friday evening. When the web subsequently sees that the pub is closed this week due to renovations, it will suggest going to the movies on Friday evening and immediately show an overview of the current films – since it knows that you and your friends are also interested in movies.
What are the disadvantages of Web 3.0?
Of course, there are also a number of disadvantages associated with Web 3.0. For example, if your data is accessible everywhere, then this data is naturally also easier for hackers to access. Even a small vulnerability in the application can result in your files being open to unauthorized users.
And then there is another important point we must not lose sight of: privacy. To create a semantic web, your search terms and interests must be analyzed and stored to determine what you find interesting, so the web also knows that you sit in the pub with your friends every Friday night.
Another downside of this emerging term is that marketers will start making use of it. How long will it take before we see the first '100% Web 3.0 optimized website!' slogans appear?