You are no dummy. You just haven't found the right person to explain web3 simply. Web3 is still as new to the world as a year-old baby, so you don't have much to worry about yet. Additionally, there is no precise definition for web3 yet — it is still based on the speculations and opinions of many.

But to better imagine web3, you must know that the world implemented Web 1.0 (The first generation of the Internet) earlier and currently uses Web 2.0 (the second generation of the Internet). You can imagine that web3 will be called the third or future generation of internet.

The web is similar to the Apple’s iPhone1 to iPhone 14, where with each release, there was an advancement in the products. Each web generation has its unique characteristics but its successor will have more advanced features.

It took a very long time (over ten years) for the web to transition from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0, so it is expected to take at least that much time to fully transition from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0. Web 3.0 is coming; why should you be concerned? Find out in this article as I take you through Web 1.0, Web 2.0, to Web 3.0 and their importance.

Who is the article for?

The following set of people will find this article useful:

• This article is for you if you have no clue what Web 3.0 is but are somewhat interested in it.
• If you want to break into tech, a path with less competition and new to the market, you might want to dive into Web 3.0.
• If you are already into blockchain technology and would like to know the role of blockchain in Web 3.0.

Now that you know who the article is for, let’s go to the next section.

Web 1.0 and its key characteristics

To understand Web 3.0 better, we must travel back in time. Web 1.0, also known as the static web, is the first generation of the World Wide Web evolution (1989 to 2005). The essential characteristic of this era was that it had static web pages, as there was no interaction with the web.

You can create content and upload it to a social media network in today’s world. However, during the Web 1.0 era, you could only consume information. At that time, there were only a few content creators and more informed consumers. No login detail was required, interaction with posts, viewing analytics, and ads.

Imagine if Web 2.0 was not established yet; many of us would still be trying to find our paths. Technology is a lifesaver. Think of Web 1.0 as having an interface that uses only text and is read-only.

Key characteristics of Web 1.0

• Users are primarily consumers (i.e., users can't share their content).
• No interaction with the web.
• No ads when surfing the Internet.

Thanks to development in skills and knowledge, we now have Web 2.0.

Web 2.0 and its key characteristics

Web 2.0, also known as the dynamic web, is the second generation of the World Wide Web evolution (2005 till present). In Web 1.0, users cannot share their content on the Internet, but in Web 2.0, they can share and check their content analytics. The rise of social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., enables sharing of content and makes the web interactive.

In Web 2.0, we can get information from a webpage, and the web page would also obtain information (our data and interests) from us. We can refer to Web 2.0 as the age of targetted advertising and lack of users' privacy.

Two persons can view the Instagram.com explore page and see different contents because the contents are personalised to each person’s interests. The algorithm tracks your interests due to posts you have liked, shared, and commented on and the people you follow.

There is also a rise in content creators who can share their content in any form (i.e., written, audio, video, or imagery). Although Web 2.0 allowed for more interaction on the web, the following are a few cons to web 2.0:

• Web 2.0 is controlled by big companies like Google and Facebook, making the web less secure.
• Users generate content on these platforms but don’t get rewarded for them. For example, social networks are powered by user-generated content; as a result, more people use them, and their data is collected. The companies use the collated data to make money by selling them through ads.
• Plagiarism and fake information are one of the challenges faced in Web 2.0.
• A considerable amount of storage space and bandwidth is consumed in Web 2.0.

Key characteristics of web 2.0

• Its user's data is used as a commodity.
• Web 2.0 uses a dynamic web page to create an interactive user environment.
• It is a centralised system controlled by a few companies.
• The intense rise of mobile applications and social media networks characterises it.

All of the cons of Web 2.0 bring about the advent of Web 3.0.

Web 3.0 and its key characteristics

Web 3.0, also known as the decentralised web, is the future internet generation. Unlike Web 2.0, where a few big companies control the centralised server, Web 3.0 is predicted to be decentralised and based on blockchain technology.

In Web 3.0, it is predicted that you will ultimately control your data, unlike in Web 2.0, where there is little protection for your privacy. Also, in Web 3.0, your data or content isn’t stored on a centralised server. Instead, it is stored in several nodes on a blockchain.

For example, SteemIt is the web3 alternative to Reddit. However, unlike Reddit, where content is uploaded to the Reddits' server, the user’s content is hosted on the Steem blockchain and stored in several nodes to help creators monetise their content.

As a content creator who would like to move to web3, the content creator’s roadmap to web3 in 2023 should be your go-to guide. Examples of other Web 3.0 technology apps in development include:

• Sapien (Web 3.0 alternative to Facebook)
• Odysee (Web 3.0 alternative to Youtube)
• Filecoin (Web 3.0 alternative to Dropbox)

Key characteristics and benefits of Web 3.0

Decentralised data and applications

Today, web developers build applications that are hosted on one server. For example, every content published on Medium is hosted on medium.com. During the Web 3.0 era, you will call apps - dapps (decentralised apps) because they will be hosted on Blockchains or Decentralized networks of numerous peer-to-peer nodes. Dapps are the future and will be mainstream before you know it.

Note: Decentralisation here means that power is taken from a central authority (in this case means, Facebook and Google) to those with the highest tokens.

Trustless and permissionless blockchain

Trustless in this scenario means there is a convenient data exchange between two nodes, and there is no authority regulating the flow of information between the two endpoints. A third party isn't needed when a transaction between two parties.

For example, there are two types of exchanges; centralised and decentralised exchanges. An example of a decentralised exchange is Uniswap which can allow two strangers to swap their tokens even though they don’t know each other. It’s possible through atomic swapping, which involves using a smart contract to regulate the transaction between strangers

Permissionless here means you can use (access or contribute) the Internet without taking permission from centralised authorities like Facebook or Google.

Borderless system

In Web 2.0, a single centralised authority such as Facebook or Google is the only one with control over their application. Users can't get the application code without authorisation from these companies.

However, Web 3.0 is self-governing; it is ruled by users who contribute to its maintenance and improvement.

Easy payment

The fintech companies like Stripe, Paypal, Flutterwave, etc., try to make the payment process seamless and easy, but it isn't wholly smooth yet. Web 3.0 is important because it is predicted that payments will become genuinely borderless.

You won’t need to input so many details as in Web 2.0 before making payments. Crypto networks (i.e., Solana) will facilitate payment transactions with slight delays and close to zero charges.

Identity

With Web 3.0, you do not have to provide as much personal information as you do with Web 2.0. You might also be able to control your identity information tied to an app. For example, you can separate your digital identity from your real-world identity.

You can download from the Internet or make purchases without them being traced to you. If you keep using the same address for the same apps, you don’t need to input your details every time, as your details transfer smoothly across apps.

Semantic web

The semantic web is a property of Web 3.0 that improves the technologies used in Web 2.0. It allows accessible data sharing across numerous platforms, systems, and community boundaries. In the era of Web 3.0, we will be able to connect, share and enjoy the Internet like never before.

In Web 2.0, you still type several queries onto the search engine (i.e., Google) that you may not find an answer to. However, with Web 3.0, you may be able to personalise your search. You can ask the search engine something as personal as 'what can I eat today’s afternoon?’. Machines would be able to read and use information just like humans.

Governed by DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations)

It is predicted that DAOs will run every company. It means there would be no CEOs or presidents to impress. The decision-makers would be those with the highest tokens. There would be no censorship from any company like Twitter or Instagram when you post content. Web 3.0 seems to be an advocate of freedom of speech.

Other characteristics include:

• Web 3.0 users are contributors.
• The system of decentralisation allows for users' data and security.

The downsides of Web 3.0

• No control over hate content posted.
• It would take a massive amount of learning as only a few people have a knowledge base in the blockchain.
• Less advanced devices may not be able to operate Web 3.0 technology.

Bonus: Web 3.0 career paths

Below are career paths you can try in web 3.0

• Web 3.0 designer.
• Web 3.0 developer.
• Web 3.0/blockchain technical writer like I am doing now.

The great news is that you can start now because it will take time for web 3.0 to be fully implemented.

Conclusion

In this article, you have learned the basics of Web 3.0 with a bit of history. You may wonder what happens to the companies built around web 2.0 technologies; we will find out. What web 3.0, NFT, or crypto topic would you like to learn? Could you share it with me?