I recently read an article in The Public Relations Strategist, a publication of PRSA, titled “Envisioning Web 3.0” by Jeffrey Barrett. I didn’t realize there was a Web 1.0, let alone a 2.0 and, finally, an upcoming 3.0.
A History Lesson
Contrary to popular lore, the acknowledged creator of the World Wide Web is Tim Berners-Lee and not Al Gore. Web 1.0 spanned 1990 through 2000, and included the launch of the URL and basic search capabilities. We are currently in Web 2.0 (2001 to present), and it is marked by social media and more extensive, and user-friendly, search capabilities.
What is Web 3.0?
Web 3.0 is coming next. Otherwise known as the Semantic Web, this will make what is a difficult search today a one-click search in the new Web. How, you ask? Obviously, just as with Web 1.0, Web 3. 0 will require massive R&D. In the words of Barrett, Web 3.0 will provide us with “access to a technology that incrporates the best of the existing Internet into an advanced system featuring computer-friendly language thta connects infinite sources.” Basically, “with Web 3.0, you would simply need one search agent to assemble all of the relvant in formation that you need,” rather than a multidude of searches and examination of numerous links to find the information you’re looking for, as we do today.
Changing How We Live and Work
The implications of Web 3.0 are tremendous. Its impact on marketing and public relations, however, would be particularly extraordinary. We would be able to target audiences with laser-like focus, save us tons of time with our Internet searches, search for media coverage results for accurate media measurement, and create ‘side-by-side’ one-to-one relationships with our customers.
Even if I may never have heard of Web 3.0 before Barrett’s article, I’m certainly looking forward to it.
