Back in the Web 1.0 era, the internet was pretty much a read-only experience. Websites were static, almost like digital brochures. You could consume information, but that was it—no commenting, no sharing, and definitely no collaborative features. It worked, but it wasn’t exactly engaging or interactive.

Then Web 2.0 came along in the early 2000s and flipped the script. Suddenly, the internet wasn’t just about reading content—it was about participating. The key difference? Interaction became central. Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter gave us the tools to share our own thoughts, upload videos, and engage with others. Blogs allowed anyone to publish their ideas, and comment sections turned one-way communication into conversations.

A few specific shifts made Web 2.0 stand out:

Dynamic Content: Instead of static pages, websites started updating in real time. Think of how social media feeds constantly refresh with new posts.

User-Generated Content: This was huge. For the first time, people weren’t just consuming information—they were creating it. Platforms like YouTube made it easy for anyone to upload videos, and suddenly everyone had a voice.

Social Networking: Web 2.0 wasn’t just interactive—it was social. Facebook and MySpace let people connect with friends and build online communities, creating entirely new ways of interacting.

Personalization: Websites started adapting to users. Algorithms on platforms like Amazon or Netflix recommend products and shows based on your behavior. This made the experience feel personal, not generic.

    Fast forward to today, and the web has evolved even more. Web 2.0 laid the groundwork for what we now take for granted—real-time interaction, user-driven content, and personalized experiences. But now, technologies like AI and blockchain are shaping the next phase. We’re seeing smarter, decentralized systems that go way beyond what Web 2.0 could offer.

    Looking back, it’s clear Web 2.0 was a turning point—it didn’t just change how we interact with the web, it redefined our role in creating and shaping the digital world. For anyone studying interaction design, this was the moment the internet truly became a collaborative space.