What exactly is the definition of decentralized applications and Web3 applications? The key difference lies in who has the final say. Web3 applications should be based on user interests, with decision-making power and profit sharing distributed to users across the entire ecosystem. This is completely opposite to Web2 — where the focus is on shareholder interests, and platforms monopolize the economy to trap users, with all profits going to capital parties.

Think about it: on Web2 platforms, the data, content, and interaction records created by users are turned into commercial assets by the platform, and users get nothing. The decentralized logic is different; community members participate in governance and share in the benefits. That’s the path Web3 should take. Of course, many projects are still exploring now, but the direction is to make users the owners of the ecosystem, rather than being exploited by platforms.