Web2
While Web1 was focused on making information accessible to the public, Web2 — the current version of the internet we know today — is about creating and contributing. It has become the basis for the commercialisation of the internet, spawning significant applications, such as e-commerce, social media, and virtual communication platforms.
Web2 is occasionally referred to as the participative (or participatory) web, social web, or ‘read-write’ web, and this second generation of web services places a heavy emphasis on interaction, interoperability, and connectivity. It is also much more user-friendly and dynamic in comparison with Web1.
Characteristics of Web2 include centralisation; responsive, dynamic content; a wide variety of applications and interaction-based technologies like AJAX, JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3; and high levels of user participation and user-generated content. Additionally, Web2 offers interoperability across different services, improved user interface and user experience from Web1, seamless communication, and proliferation of companies that provide services in exchange for personal data.
Applications include social media like Instagram, YouTube, and Meta (Facebook); blogging; voting, tagging; social bookmarking; and podcasting.
Key Takeaway
Web2 is the second version of the World Wide Web (WWW) — the current version of the internet — characterised by the shift from the static web pages of Web1 to dynamic or user-generated content.