Pew Internet Releases Study on Web 2.0

WASHINGTON — The so-called next generation of Internet activities and applications called Web 2.0 is the subject of a recent study from Pew Internet & American Life Project. The study attempts to track the history and definition of Web 2.0.

According to the study, the term was coined in 2004 by Dale Dougherty and popularized by O’Reilly Media. It was created to serve as a “conceptual umbrella” where analysts, marketers and those in the tech field could group new, participatory websites. Blogs, wikis, social networking and viral video-sharing sites make up the bulk of Web 2.0 applications.

Wikipedia, MySpace, YouTube, Flikr and Bit Torrent are mentioned as examples of Web 2.0 sites. They all thrive off user activity and participation, creating a clique of members.

Pew utilized Hitwise data as examples to demonstrate the growth and popularity of sites it has defined as Web 2.0 compared to their “traditional” web counterparts.

“That [Web 2.0] has enjoyed such a constant morphing of meaning and interpretation is, in many ways, the clearest sign of its usefulness,” Pew researchers Mary Madden and Susannah Fox said. “This is the nature of the conceptual beast in the digital age, and one of the most telling examples of what Web 2.0 applications do: They replace the authoritative heft of traditional institutions with the surging wisdom of crowds.”

Demonstrating the growth of Web 2.0 socially-integrated photo service PhotoBucket versus the “traditional” photo site KodakGallery, the Pew Internet study shows that PhotoBucket controls .20 percent of the market share while KodakGallery maintains .03 percent.

Even more dramatic are the numbers of online encyclopedia Wikipedia, which Pew Internet calls the “poster child for Web 2.0.” Wikipedia emcompasses a 20.8 percent market share, while the more traditional, corporate Microsoft Encarta occupies .7 percent market share.

The study also explores social networking sites. While Geocities relied on the metaphors of a place like cities, neighborhoods and others, MySpace replaced that with the emphasis on the individual through profiles, blogs and photos.

“Web 2.0 operators are coming up with innovative web sites that seek to be a part of the users daily life,” T3Report’s Brandon Shalton told XBIZ. “Blogging is an activity that sucks the user in to updating on a daily basis. These Web 2.0 activities are integrated into the users’ daily routines, which lends to a stickiness traditional sites don’t have. People are realizing they can’t live without it, and Web 2.0 is thinking this way in terms of designing sites and online communities that depend on user participation.”

While blogs, wikis and social networking profiles are growing exponentially in popularity, the No. 1 Internet activity is still sending and receiving email Pew Internet determined.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Sex Work CEO Debuts Upgraded 'GPTease' AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Canvas in-chat editing feature to its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Show More