What is Web 3.0?
You’ve landed here because you’re hearing a ton of buzz surrounding Web 3.0. The internet is changing, as it always is, and user’s patterns morph and grow as the years go on. In the advent of the internet, there was Web 1.0. User behaviors changed, and Web 2.0 was born. After a while, technology has advanced, user behaviors are changing yet again, and we are now seeing the birth of Web 3.0. Keep reading to learn more about Web 3.0, how it is different, how you’re already using it, what it means for digital marketing, and how you can take advantage of everything it has to offer.
Understanding Web 3.0
According to Investopedia, the definition for Web 3.0 is as follows:
Web 3.0 represents the next iteration or phase of the evolution of the web/Internet and potentially could be as disruptive and represent as significant a paradigm shift as Web 2.0. Web 3.0 is built upon the core concepts of decentralization, openness, and greater user utility.
Berners-Lee had expounded upon some of these key concepts back in the 1990s, as outlined below:
- Decentralization: “No permission is needed from a central authority to post anything on the web, there is no central controlling node, and so no single point of failure…and no ‘kill switch’! This also implies freedom from indiscriminate censorship and surveillance.”
- Bottom-up design: “Instead of code being written and controlled by a small group of experts, it was developed in full view of everyone, encouraging maximum participation and experimentation.”
How is Web 3.0 Different From Web 1.0 and Web 2.0?
In order to completely understand Web 3.0, you must know how it differs from Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. Also according to Investopedia, the history of Web 1.0 includes:
Berners-Lee pioneered the early development of the Internet in 1990 when he was a computer scientist at European researcher CERN.2 By October 1990, Berners-Lee had written the three fundamental technologies that became the foundation of the web, including the very first web page editor/browser (WorldWideWeb.app):
- HTML: HyperText Markup Language, the markup or formatting language of the web
- URI or URL: Uniform Resource Identifier or Locator, a unique address used to identify each resource on the web
- HTTP: HyperText Transfer Protocol, which allows for the retrieval of linked resources from across the web
Obviously, since the 1990s, technology has expanded far enough for us to do much more on the internet than just using HTML, URLs, and HTTP. Web 1.0 has been completely replaced by Web 2.0’s key features, which include:
- Interactivity
- Social connectivity
- User-generated content
Web 2.0 is best known for making user-generated content visible to millions in an instant. An entire way of life was born surrounding user-generated content, such as YouTube creators, Instagram influencers, social media marketing, and much more.
Key Factors of Web 3.0
Now that the internet is growing and reforming since Web 2.0, it is important to understand some of the key factors that make it so different from Web 2.0. They include:
- Decentralization. Data is controlled by the user rather than stored in servers or large databases that HTTP provided to Web 1.0 and Web 2.0.
- Trustless and permissionless. Web 3.0 applications will run on blockchains or decentralized peer-to-peer networks, or a combination, to allow users to participate without an intermediary.
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning. Faster, more relevant results are the name of the Web 3.0 game, and technology is advancing to make this possible. Machines will use data and algorithms to imitate how humans learn so that they can understand information more similarly to humans. This will replace targeted advertising.
- Connectivity. You’ll be able to access the internet through far more things than just your smartphone or computer, and you likely already are. Everyday devices will access the internet, and much of that is already in practice. Smart appliances, Alexa, and many others will become the norm.
Why is Web 3.0 So Important?
Why is Web 2.0 dying, and why is there such a need for Web 3.0? Well, it all comes down to how data is being used. Once people started catching on that their data was being captured and used without their permission, there was a huge pushback. This pushed users to want to take their data into their own hands and control how it is used.
The Good and the Bad of Web 3.0
There are always good and bad things about growing, evolving, and moving forward into something new. The transition into Web 3.0 is no different. There are many pros and cons, making it important to break them all down.
Greater Data and Privacy Control
One of the key factors of Web 3.0, which can be considered a pro or a con depending on your stance on the issue, is greater data and privacy control for users. Users felt taken advantage of, like their democracy was compromised, and like they had no freedom of speech while using the internet due to their data being used against them in ways they were not comfortable with. As such, Web 3.0 allows users to have complete control and ownership of their data, telling applications when and where it is okay to use it.
Updated Device
In order to access the latest and greatest technology that comes along with Web 3.0, you can’t be using an old device. With time, the transition will happen. But for now, if you want to access all the features of Web 3.0, you will need to update your device.
Learning Curve
Like with any new thing, especially when it comes to technology, there will be a learning curve. Gaining widespread adoption and understanding complicated functionality will all be part of the learning curve. Older generations may have a more difficult time adopting Web 3.0 into their lives, especially if they do not update their devices.
Web 1.0 and 2.0 Will Become Obsolete
Soon enough, Web 3.0 will be king, and Webs 1.0 and 2.0 will become obsolete. This is especially true for websites. Websites that have been built with Web 1.0 or Web 2.0 technology will see themselves having a hard time fitting in with the new wave.
How You’re Already Using Web 3.0
Wondering what you need to start doing to take advantage of everything Web 3.0 has to offer? You actually may have already started. There are many ways people are already using Web 3.0, and some of the most popular include Siri, Facebook, and Cryptocurrency.
Siri
According to NKN, voice search applications such as Siri are the perfect example of where Web 3.0 is taking computer users where their machines will be able to communicate with each other and provide users with better search results. For example, more and more Siri and other personal assistants will be able to give conclusive answers to questions asked by owners instead of the annoying “I don’t know.”
For the longest time, Siri has been accepting very few commands that it can act upon. This includes simple tasks like reminders and directions to the local grocery store. These have been accomplished by pre-programmed algorithms in the iPhone that can only do basic searches of the internet to come up with equally basic answers based on the store location. And this is if the store has a website that shows directions clearly; otherwise, the search results can be misleading.
However, with Web 3.0, asking Siri how to build a woodshed would yield step-by-step instructions without having to refer to any website.
Facebook’s parent company, Meta, has the biggest stake in the Metaverse and in Web 3.0. Facebook has completely changed the way individuals use the internet. Facebook has handed over the car keys to developers, AKA the Facebook API, so that new societies, games, groups, and much more are created every day.
Cryptocurrency
Probably one of the most advanced uses of the internet today includes cryptocurrency. According to Investopedia, cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend. Many cryptocurrencies are decentralized networks based on blockchain technology—a distributed ledger enforced by a disparate network of computers. A defining feature of cryptocurrencies is that they are generally not issued by any central authority, rendering them theoretically immune to government interference or manipulation.
How Web 3.0 Affects Digital Marketing
Will Web 3.0 affect digital marketing? The answer is a resounding Yes. Mostly, it will affect SEO, advertising, and reputation management.
- Automatically Relevant Results. Ever found yourself searching for a business in your area, such as a dentist or brunch spot, and added your town’s name or “near me” to the end? Now, think about how your device has gotten smarter over time. Your device knows your location already, and you don’t need to add “near me” or your town’s name at the end anymore. Automatically relevant results: That is Web 3.0 in action.
- Heavy on the Voice Search. Digital assistants are on the rise, and voice search will be changing the search game completely. It already is, but Web 3.0 will make it the norm.
- Schema is Very Important. As a business owner, it is important to know that adopting schema will become very important with Web 3.0. The better you’re able to allow applications to understand data by structuring it in a certain way, the better off you’ll be. By providing the applications with clear data that they understand, they won’t have to work as hard to decipher it. This gives you the competitive advantage you need to get on top.
- Hyper-Personalization. Imagine this: Static websites will soon be a thing of the past. Instead, hyper-personalized experiences will replace them. As mentioned, Web 3.0 works to understand information as humans do. The more they are able to perfect this, the more personalized your internet experience will be.
- Fewer Keywords, More Questions. History tends to repeat itself, so one thing that Web 3.0 is adopting that was widespread with Web 1.0 is long-form search queries. This is largely due to the rise of voice assistants and asking questions rather than the quick keywords popularized by Web 2.0.
- Importance of Reputation Management. Trust was lost during Web 2.0, and users want it back. Bad Yelp reviews? Your business will tank. Poor social media customer service? You’re leaving money on the table. Reputation management is huge with Web 3.0, which requires extra efforts from companies to put as a priority.
Take Advantage of Web 3.0 with Navazon Digital
How can you get ahead of the curve and take advantage of everything Web 3.0 has to offer? Navazon helps businesses increase profits through data-driven marketing that expands opportunities and reduces risk. As marketers and entrepreneurs, we understand the value of developing a memorable brand through creativity and consistency. This is accomplished through targeted graphics, videos, and websites that reflect our proven, time-tested methodologies and detailed analytics. It is an approach that’s proven effective for companies of all sizes, from start-ups and medium-sized businesses to large firms with an international presence.
Give yourself the competitive edge you need by adopting Web 3.0 early. Contact us today for a consultation, and learn more at navazondigital.com.
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