Web 1 vs Web 2 vs Web 3

Imagine what the world would look like if the World Wide Web didn’t exist today? To visualise it, we can look back at our history, at a time before the web was created, and consider the limitations people experienced.

Perhaps the limitations were not recognised, or maybe they were, which led to the creation of the web we know today. One thing is clear: the web has brought many opportunities and conveniences within our reach.

For example, the web, through the use of the internet, has made it possible to connect with people over far distances. We can share information and purchase whatever we want conveniently with just a swipe on our mobile devices.

The web is one of man's greatest inventions, and it has evolved through various stages. What we knew in 2001 is not the same as what is available in 2025, and it will continue to change in the coming years.

Let us explore how the web has transformed from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0, Web 3.0, and introduce the future with Web 4.0.

The World Wide Web (WWW) is a network of interlinked hypertext documents that can be accessed through the use of the Internet. The web is explored using a web browser, which allows you to view pages that contain text, images, and videos and navigate through them using hyperlinks.

Tim Berners-Lee, a software engineer at CERN, which is a large particle physics laboratory in Geneva, found a problem.

When scientists from all over the world would visit to use CERN accelerators, they couldn't share information easily because information was stored on different computers, requiring separate logins for access.

To solve this, he proposed a system leveraging an emerging technology called hypertext to link and share information across systems.

Tim Bernes-lee shared his vision in a proposal to CERN in March 1989,and this became the web in a document. By 1990, Tim had written technologies that were the foundation of the modern web.

• HTML: HyperText Markup Language

• URI: Uniform Resource Identifier

• HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol

He created the first web page editor/browser "WorldWideWeb.app" and the first web server "httpd". The first web page was online by the end of 1990, and access was opened beyond CERN in 1991.

Tim believed the web should be used by anyone, anywhere, without having to pay a fee or ask for permission. He advocated for CERN to release the code royalty-free, which sparked a global surge of creativity, innovation, and collaboration.

In 1994, he moved to MIT and founded the World Wide Web Consortium(W3C), which still leads the development of open web standards today.

This is the earliest stage of the web, often referred to as the "static web". From the term static, you already know that the page was stagnant. The web pages were fixed and were characterised by information that was not interactive or offered the barest response.

The first implementation of the World Wide Web (WWW) was from 1989 to 2005; during this time, the web provided little interaction and provided only information.

Take a look at the first website posted on the CERN website; all it has is plain text.

These static pages were produced for information delivery purposes. In other words, you could only search for the information required and read it. There were no further interactions like leaving comments, etc.

Characteristics of Web 1.0

The characteristics of Web 1.0 include;

• They contain read-only content.

• Ability to create a website and make information available to anyone at any time.

• Static web pages that use basic Hypertext Markup Language

Limitations of Web 1.0

The following are the limitations of Web 1.0

• Web pages can only be understood by humans, with no machine-compatible content.

• A Webmaster is responsible for updating users and managing the content of the website.

• There was no dynamic information, pages were read-only.

Web 2.0 was a term coined by Tim O'Reilly and his colleagues to describe the transition of the World Wide Web to a more interactive and service-focused phase that enabled content creation and more dynamic web applications.

Unlike Web 1.0, which is static and read-only, Web 2.0, which is the second generation of the web, promotes participation and collaboration. This means users do not just consume content, but create, interact, and share.

Web 2.0 introduced two-way interaction between users and servers, enabling feedback and engagement. This is the era of social media, blogs, wikis, forums, and other platforms that allowed people to connect, form communities, and exchange ideas and experiences.

Web 2.0 can be described as:

Technology Focused: The Web became a platform with software that extended beyond the level of a single device. In other words, the web evolved from being a static website you visit on a single device to an interactive platform that's accessible across many devices and is built around an interactive experience. Examples of Web 2.0 technologies are

• Blogs - people can create personal or other topic-based content
• Wikis - which encourage collaborative editing
• RSS feeds - allow subscribing to updates from blogs or news sites.
• Social media - real-time communication, media sharing, and global interactions.

Business Focused: Web 2.0 revolutionised the business landscape by shifting businesses to the Internet as a platform. This move changed how businesses operate, allowing them to offer services through the web.

For example, Google Docs replaced the need to install word processors for document writing and editing. Google Docs offers offline and online editing from any device, anywhere, anytime.

User-Focused: The web is focused on user experience, content creation, social networking, and information exchange.

This includes the following:

Interactivity: Many platforms encourage real-time interaction and engagement.

User-generated content: Users can create and share content with ease.

Social Networking: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn encouraged community building.

Collaboration: Wikis and Google Docs encouraged teamwork.

Cloud-based Services: Many applications are hosted on the cloud, enabling accessibility from anywhere.

User Experience: Many platforms focus on delivering dynamic and responsive interfaces for a better experience.

There are several limitations of Web 2.0, including:

Cyber Crimes and Misinformation: Web 2.0 is referred to as a permissive environment because of how much control users have. Therefore, people can generate content to create or alter content to mislead people, either on purpose or out of ignorance.

Privacy and Security Issues: The exchange of data in Web 2.0 has stirred up users' privacy and security concerns. For example, people can create personal profiles on social platforms, revealing personal details, putting themselves at risk.

Companies with users' sensitive credentials are at risk of cyber attacks, data breaches, and malware. And if there's a lapse in security, users' information is exposed and exploited.

Difficulty Verifying Content Quality: User-generated content raises concerns about accuracy of information. Since anyone can post freely, false or misleading content can spread quickly, especially when users accept information without verifying it from reliable sources and continue sharing it with others who think the same way.

Web 3.0, also called the semantic web, is considered the third generation of internet services.

The term was first coined by John Markoff in 2006. Its core idea is to build a more intelligent, user-focused version of the Internet that emphasises user control, privacy, and decentralisation.

Web 3.0 is powered by technologies such as blockchain, Artificial intelligence, and semantic web protocols. Unlike Web 2.0, which relies on a centralised server, Web 3.0 networks are decentralised and open, meaning anyone with internet-connected devices can participate.

There is no central authority controlling the network instead, it is maintained by the community. As a result, user data cannot be sold, and controlled without consent.

Web 3.0 is trustless and permissionless, and built on open-source infrastructure. This means interactions between two parties occur through a smart contract rather than through third parties.

For example, creators can monetise content through NFTS, or cryptocurrency and get more value than being paid by a third party.

The idea is to remove centralised power structures that control Web 2.0. Instead of a structure where individuals or entities have more control, Web 3.0 promotes equality. This power shift, where people have more control over their data, moves them from consumers to participants and shareholders.

Governance in Web 3.0 is managed through Smart Contracts and Decentralised Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), enabling transparency, and mutual decision-making. Decentralized applications are built on these networks, run by DAOs enabling openness and inclusivity.

Characteristics of Web 3.0 include the following:

Intelligent Web: Web 3.0 uses technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, and Machine learning for more intelligent web experiences.

Distributed Database: Data is stored across a distributed network (blockchain) rather than centralised servers, giving people control over their data.

Web Personalisation: People can create more personalised and interactive online experiences using artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Resource Pooling: Systems and devices can share computing resources across decentralised networks, enabling efficiency and scalability.

A few challenges of Web 3.0 include:

Complexity: Web 3.0 technologies like blockchain and smart contracts need to be learned, and it may be difficult for an average user to understand

Regulation Issues: Decentralisation makes it harder to solve fraud-related issues because there are limited legal frameworks to protect users from scams or disputes.

High Costs: Running decentralised applications can be expensive when there's high network usage

User Experience: Web 3.0 apps are confusing to navigate, especially with new users.

Web 4.0 is expected to be an ultra-intelligent symbiotic web. This stage of the web is where artificial intelligence, machine learning, and connected devices create a seamless and intuitive digital ecosystem.

In this era, the web will be as powerful as the human brain. There would be advancements in nanotechnology, cognitive computing, and autonomous systems; machines would be more clever, capable of decision-making and would be able to interact intelligently.

Characteristics of Web 4.0

AI and Machine Learning: Advanced AI and Machine learning models would enable real-time decision-making, predictive analytics, automation, and human-like systems.

Extensive Connectivity: Technologies like Time 5G, IoT, and edge computing will ensure uninterrupted, real-time communication between connected devices.

Human-to-Machine Collaboration: There would be seamless interaction between humans and machines through voice gestures, including thought.

Context Awareness: Web 4.0 would allow systems to adapt dynamically to user preferences, behaviours, and the environment.

Decentralised Framework: Enhanced data privacy and security would be reinforced through blockchain and decentralised networks, allowing users more control over digital assets.

Web 1.0 was the foundation of the internet and the building block for later versions like Web 2.0, 3.0, and the emerging Web 4.0.

We have seen the web move from just static websites with plain text and limited visuals to a dynamic and interactive space where users share, collaborate, and businesses offer services.

Looking ahead, Web 3.0 empowers users with greater control over their data and delivers a more personalised experience, while Web 4.0 envisions a world of interconnected devices with human intelligence.