Comparing Web2 and Web3: Differences

If you have noticed the discussions surrounding Crypto Assets, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), or Blockchain technology, you may have heard the rumors about Web3. The name Web3 is both a collective term for the technologies mentioned above and a way to identify advancements in the technology industry.

Although “network” and “internet” are two different technologies, these two terms are often used interchangeably. In addition, the World Wide Web has more than one generation.

In this blog post, we will explore the differences between Web1, Web2, and Web3. It outlines Web1, defines Web2 and Web3, and makes comparisons, such as the comparison between Web1 and Web2.

Let's take a look at these three different versions of the World Wide Web and understand the differences between them.

Web 2.0 and Web 3.0

What are Web1, Web2, and Web3?

What is Web1?

Web1 is the earliest stage of the development of the World Wide Web. In the early days of Web1, only a few users created content, while most users were merely consumers. Personal webpages were common, typically consisting of static pages hosted on web servers run by the user's Internet Service Provider (ISP) or free web hosting services.

Web1 did not allow users to view website advertisements while browsing the internet. Web1 is a content delivery network (CDN) that allows websites to display personal information. It can be used to create personal websites. It charges customers based on the number of pages viewed by users. It provides users with a directory that can be used to retrieve specific information. The Web1 era lasted from 1991 to 2004.

What is Web2?

If Web1 was about a relatively small number of people creating content for a larger audience, Web2 is about a large number of people creating more and more content for a larger audience. The main focus of Web1 is reading, while the core of Web2 is participation and contribution.

This online format emphasizes user-generated content (UGC), as well as enhanced usability, interactivity, and compatibility with other systems and devices.

Web2 is centered around the end-user experience. Therefore, this form of the web is responsible for building communities, collaboration, discussion, and social media. For this reason, Web2 is widely regarded as the primary mode of web interaction for most modern users.

What is Web3?

Compared to Web2, Web3 shows improved prospects, especially considering the significant changes it brings to the underlying infrastructure. The third generation of the web uses advanced metadata systems. This version of the web is also known as the Semantic Web.

Metadata systems help organize various types of data, making it understandable for both humans and machines. The most significant advantage related to Web3 actually highlights the best differences between Web2 and Web3. Through Web3, the need for central intermediaries is eliminated, and information becomes more accessible to more people.

Comparing Web2 and Web3: Differences

Web2:

Centralized

Social networks like Facebook

Easy to understand

Web Application

Wikipedia

Related technologies include AJAX, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5.

Web3:

Decentralization

Metaverse

The concepts are difficult to understand for beginners.

Smart Application

Semantic Web

Web3 technology includes Blockchain, artificial intelligence, and decentralized protocols.

Comparing Web 2 vs Web 3: Differences

The uses of Web2 and Web3

Web2 Use Cases

It provides a free knowledge-based system that enables users to retrieve and organize collected data.

It has dynamic information that modifies itself based on user behavior.

It uses a custom application programming interface (API) developed in-house.

It promotes independent use and supports various forms of interaction, such as:

Podcast

Social Media

Tags\Blog

Comment

Use RSS for content curation

Use social networks

Online Content Voting

Web3 Use Cases

Metaverse: A boundless virtual world rendered in 3D

In blockchain games, users can truly own in-game resources, which follow the same principles as non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Zero-knowledge proofs and more secure personal information are blockchain technology applications related to privacy and digital infrastructure.

Decentralized finance. The uses of crypto assets include payment blockchain, peer-to-peer digital financial transactions, smart contracts, and Bitcoin decentralized autonomous organizations. Community members own the online community.

When Web3 is fully implemented, users can interact with each other, securely exchange information, and complete financial transactions without a central authority or coordinator. Therefore, everyone transitions from being mere content users to content owners.

The advantages and disadvantages of Web2 and Web3

Web2

Advantage

Web2 allows users to access a vast amount of information with just a click of a button. In recent years, the ability to search for data and information has improved. Web2 is easy to navigate. The internet provides a large number of entries in various formats. Information in multiple different languages can be easily accessed.

It gives individuals the opportunity to participate in debates and forums, sharing their thoughts and opinions. Social media sites are used to communicate information about current global events. Thanks to Web2, people can now add missing information and correct inaccurate data.

defect

Sometimes the displayed results do not match the request. In many cases, the quality of the translation output is poor. Sometimes it takes too long to get the answer to the asked question. There is a possibility of receiving inaccurate information.

If you do not know someone's email address or website address, you cannot contact them. Facing the threat of spam, fraud, and virus attacks. Sometimes lacking personal space.

Web3

Advantage

By aggregating more data, the semantic web will be able to contribute to the online data network. It is hoped that it will have a higher level of reliability. The Web3 standard will provide greater freedom to both producers and users.

Web3 will use decentralized networks to ensure that users never lose control over their online data, achieving this by giving them more customization options. The next iteration of the network is expected to be more reliable due to its decentralized design, eliminating the possibility of a single point of failure.

In most cases, it seems to be done by professionals. A higher degree of personalization in the internet space. With Web3 being able to recognize your preferences, you will be able to make significant customizations to your internet browsing time. You will also find that this makes it easier for you to enhance productivity while browsing the web.

defect

Devices with lower technical capabilities will not be able to access Web3.

Web1 websites will appear more outdated. The regulatory process is challenging. Some industry professionals believe that the decentralized characteristics of Web3 will make monitoring and controlling platforms more difficult. This could lead to problems such as an increase in online cybercrime and abuse incidents.

Venture capitalists and other types of investors will own it. Therefore, it may lead to control remaining concentrated.

Is Web3 the future?

In-depth analysis of the internet reveals that there are still millions of static websites that internet users can access and read without interacting with the content on these pages in any way.

Nevertheless, the vast majority of people spend most of their time on Web2.

The Web2 version became the dominant form of the internet in just a few short years. Web3 may take a few more years to become the dominant platform. When it becomes dominant, Web2 will not become outdated as a result. This change will make the internet a better version.

In short, the internet will never be without static web pages. Web1 will not disappear. Web2 will not either. We can all expect Web3 to fulfill its promise of a decentralized internet and provide everyone with more opportunities to access their data, assets, and identity. This is what we all look forward to seeing. **$POLYX **$JELLYJELLY