Web 2.0 Concepts, Social Software and Business Models

This article intends to provide an overview of the most prominent definitions, basic concepts and applications of the term Web 2.0. In addition to the seven principles outlined by O`Reilly, this article will investigate Anderson's long tail concept, issues of transparency and the effects of an interconnected user base on E-Business. Later, the focus will shift from the concepts of Web 2.0 towards the social software applications of this new Web era. Blogs, social network sites, wikis, folksonomies and virtual worlds will be explained and their (potential) relevance to E-Business will be outlined. The article closes with a brief discussion about the future research directions of Web 2.0 for successful E-Business.