The move from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 completely transformed how we interact online. Web 1.0 was static with limited interactivity but Web 2.0 gave users the ability to create content rather than just consume it. The emergence of social experiences and online communities similar to today’s omnipresent social media platforms seems to be the most crucial interaction that changed the way people perceive the web to be an extension of their expression. Platforms like blogs, social media, and wikis were made available allowing individuals to express their opinions and creativity globally, pushing lots of user-generated content onto the web. This led to the formation of many online forums and communities allowing bonds to form in spaces that didn’t exist in the real (offline) world. Collaborative editing of documents was also a new concept absent in Web 1.0. Being able to not only communicate in real-time but also work together from different locations would have been a big interaction change. The concept of user profiles and customization may have also been a major interaction change as profiles became central to online identity, giving individuals the ability to modify and showcase their digital presence.
These interactions have improved to become even more complex today. AI algorithms power personalized recommendations, chatbots, and virtual assistants, creating a more customized and efficient user experience compared to the more standardized interactions. The spectrum of online interactions has broadened to include high-quality multimedia content and interactive 3D experiences. Features like disappearing stories on platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, along with live-streaming on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, showcase the change from static to dynamic content consumption that needs users to log in and interact more frequently. Moving forward, the integration of artificial intelligence and augmented reality might create an even more intricate and immersive digital future with a greater evolution of online interactions.
