Web2
Web3 Infrastructure • Tools • Interfaces
interactive centralized internet era
Web2 refers to the current generation of the internet characterized by interactive, user-generated content and centralized platforms. In Web2, users can publish content, engage on social media, and access dynamic services—but their data and digital identities are typically controlled by corporations. While Web2 enabled mass connectivity and innovation, it also raised concerns around privacy, censorship, and data ownership.
Use Case: A user posts photos on a social media platform, builds an audience, and creates content—but the platform owns the user data, controls content distribution through algorithms, and can suspend accounts or monetize user activity without direct compensation to the creator.
Key Concepts:
- User-Generated Content — Social media, blogs, and interactive platforms where users create and share.
- Centralized Control — Tech companies own servers, data, and platform governance.
- Data Monetization — Platforms profit from user data through advertising and tracking.
- Web3 — The decentralized evolution that aims to return ownership and control to users.
Summary: Web2 transformed the internet from static pages to dynamic, social platforms where billions interact daily. However, its centralized architecture concentrates power and profits in the hands of a few corporations, creating the foundation for Web3’s promise of decentralized ownership and user sovereignty.