Web3: An Introduction

Web 1.0 – Read-Only Internet

The earliest version of the internet, often called Web 1.0, was like a giant digital library. You could search for information, read articles, and browse websites, but that was pretty much it. It was a one-way street—you consumed content, but couldn’t create or share much of your own.

The only form of "writing" was filling out forms or sending emails. There was minimal interactivity, and overall, it felt static and quite limited.

Web 2.0 – Read & Write Internet

Next came Web 2.0, and it changed everything. Now you could not only read information but also create and share your own content. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube exploded in popularity. You could post updates, upload videos, comment, and connect with people all over the world.

This era made the internet interactive and social. We got games, video calls, collaborative apps, and much more.

But there’s a catch:
Even though we could create content, we didn’t really own it. Platforms controlled your data and could decide how it was used, monetized, or removed. If you earned money from content, the platform might keep a large share—sometimes 50% or more—and there was no easy way to change that.

Web 3.0 – Read, Write, and Own

Web3 is the next evolution. It brings decentralization to the internet. Instead of your data being stored on a central server owned by a company, your content is stored on a blockchain—a distributed network of computers.

With blockchains, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs (non-fungible tokens), you can truly own your digital content. Whether it’s art, music, code, or a tweet—you can prove ownership and even sell or trade it directly.

Ownership comes with responsibility. You might need to pay a small transaction fee (called gas fees) or storage fees, depending on the blockchain. But the key difference is: you control your data and what happens to it.

Popular blockchains include Ethereum, Solana, and the original Bitcoin network.

The Big Idea

Web1 was about reading,
Web2 added writing,
Web3 brings ownership.

That’s the power of Web3—it gives individuals more control over their digital lives.