Finally, a Definition for Web 2.0 We Can Agree On?

What's the definition of Web 2.0? That debate has been raging for awhile. This is understandable given that Web 2.0 is all about participation.

InformationWeek, I believe, has honed in on a definition that's difficult to argue with. It pretty much addresses marketing types, media, entrepreneurs and more. They say: "Web 2.0 is all the Web sites out there that get their value from the actions of users." The magazine cites Wikipedia, digg, Technorati, Flickr and Frappr as examples of Web 2.0 properties. That they certainly are. However, I would argue that many traditional media outlets today are Web 2.0 sites. They generate similar value through comments and trackbacks to their blogs. Take a look at Dwight Silverman and Frank Baranko's blogs for a sampling.

So how about corporate and advertising/marketing micro sites? Well, some certainly are 2.0. There are many tech sites for example that have had forums in place for years. However, the vast majority of corporate sites do not play up the wisdom of crowds or the contributions of their customers. And that's exactly why all of us who advise them have so much more work to go. Everyone else - the public, the media and the start-ups are way ahead of us.