The Internet is obsolete.
Well, at least in its current form.
But it doesn't mean that nothing has been done to change the status quo: quite on the contrary, a new format, Web 3.0, has been introduced, and Social Finance, helping you earn money by publishing content and interacting with it, is doing its best to develop in this direction.
Come to think of it, a New Era is emerging at the nexus of social networks and blockchain, and this New Era proclaims the virtual world and marketing as independent features everyone should pay attention to. Sounds peculiar, doesn't it?
What Is The Era Of Web 3.0
You're probably tempted to ask, "Web 3.0? Wait, you mean to essay that Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 existed? You gotta be kidding me."
You aren't going to believe it. I am not trying to pull your leg here: these are the names used to describe the epochs of Internet development. There are no precise time frames; compare it to historical eras where period frames are about as smudged. Still, over time such a radical change in cyberspace became apparent, so people found a way to classify it.
Web 1.0 and Web 2.0: Perks and Pitfalls Unraveled
Web 1.0 is the first stage of the 'big' Internet. It conditionally lasted from 1991 to 2004. The main feature of this virtual era is that the user could read the content, not interact with it. Content production wasn't even on the agenda: it was probably deemed inconceivable. So, users consumed the information, but they could not produce it themselves. Data was stored on servers, and the user received it in a 'primordial' form. To add a new page, the creator had to draw up the website from scratch. From today's point of view, it seems to be a literal nightmare.
In Web 2.0, websites are divided into groups and categories, each representing this or that idea or referring to this or that concept.
That's where people are introduced to the idea of authorization and two-factor authentication. Now the user can decide whether their data can or cannot be used by the website. It's possible to make money online, and the number of affiliate programs is skyrocketing, but the user is somewhat held hostage by recommendations and various algorithms based on their preferences. Which, consequently, has sped up sales.
What To Expect From Web 3.0
In 2022, we have entered a new era: the era of Web 3.0. How do we know that? Well, there are several aspects to speak of.
- AI helps to sift through the content, saving the user's time;
- Blockchain technology has decentralized data: unlike in Web 1.0, information will no longer be stored on servers. It will be distributed among users and their devices.
- Universal and unlimited Internet is no longer a dream: the connection is expected to cover the whole world without restrictions.
On a side note, though, the popularity of websites and services may fade: users may consider them dull and monotonous. Thus, in Web 3.0, the ordinary Internet is expected to outgrow itself and become part of physical reality.
What Is SocialFi
Social Finance or SocialFi is a crypto concept where social networks acquire additional value. The value comes from the connection between social networks and decentralized finance on the blockchain.
In the SocialFi system, a user can earn money in various ways: making content, NFTs, or playing games (the iGaming industry is flourishing, look at Markiplier!) How? Subscribers send donations to the user. The most famous services are ko-fi and Patreon.
It is not the value of the token itself or its security (like the USDT dollar) that creates value but the social significance of the content maker. They monetize engagement in personal content and the number of subscribers.
Marketing In The Web 3.0 Era: Social Tokens
Social tokens can be considered a cryptocurrency backed by social approval. Companies and corporations can independently issue branded tokens to engage the audience in their marketing campaign: for example, by blocking access to some content before subscribing or giving bonuses in tokens. It can be assumed that social crypto coins will become an indicator of the company's success and reputation in the Web 3.0 era. In fact, the idea was wonderfully represented in an episode of Black Mirror:
In 2022, large companies often resort to NFTs in their marketing strategies, setting the trend. For example, when Starbucks invited its customers to create NFTs. . So, users directly increase the company's recognition, strengthen public approval, and profit from the NFTs they have created.
Conclusion
We must admit that social networks and blockchain consolidated. By doing this, they opened a portal to the world of quick and relatively easy money for those who can understand the topic. However, because of the system's complexity, the transition to this era can stretch for ten or even fifteen years. Still, in 2022, large brands already show interest in cryptocurrency and the social token system. It can only mean this: Web 3.0 is the inevitable future of the global Internet and marketing.
