Web 2.0 Definition | The Interactive Glossary

Web 2.0 is the term that was coined out of a desire to differentiate between the simple static websites that first populated the web, and the web applications cropping up to take their place. Web 2.0 sites are marked by three primary characteristics that set them apart from their Web 1.0 predecessors:

• User-generated content: Whether in the form of blog comments, social media posts, product reviews, or wiki article submissions and editorial input, Web 2.0 sites enable website visitors to contribute to the content of the website.
• An emphasis on user experience: Features that are responsive to user input, such as a map web application that you can use to create personalized directions for a roadtrip, are a key component of Web 2.0.
• Improved interoperability: Web 2.0 websites began to incorporate application programming interfaces (API) to enable the use of website content in an external application or website, such as placing a social media feed in a website sidebar.

The term Web 2.0 was coined in 1999 by Darcy DiNucci. However, it didn't see widespread usage until 2004 when it was popularized at the O'Reilly Media Web 2.0 Conference.

Also See: Web 1.0, Web 3.0, World Wide Web

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Web 2.0 refer to second version of the World Wide Web?

It's important to realize that the term Web 2.0 is not a reference to any formal technical update to the web. Web 2.0 does not refer to a new version of the World Wide Web, or to an update to any technical specification. As a matter of fact, Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the web, has criticized the term Web 2.0 and called it nothing more than jargon.

According to Berners-Lee, his original vision of the web was “a collaborative medium, a place where we can all meet and read and write.” What other have termed as Web 1.0 and Web 2.0, Berners-Lee sees as the gradual growth in technology that has always supported this single central vision. While Web 2.0 does represent a change in how technology shapes the web, it does not reflect a departure from Berners-Lee's original vision of the web.

What are some examples of types of websites that are part of Web 2.0?

Some of the most popular websites today are examples of Web 2.0 technology. Popular sites that characterize Web 2.0 include social networks like Facebook, blogging platforms like Blogger, wikis such as Wikipedia, video sharing sites such as YouTube, and customizable interactive web applications like Google Maps.

Are there still Web 1.0 website online?

While there are examples of Web 1.0 sites still available, they are growing more and more rare. Today, any webmaster can integrate Web 2.0 features such as social media integration, comments, and interactive forms into their website for a very low or even no cost, even with very limited technical expertise.