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Understanding the Five Eras of the Social Web

Forrestor’s research report The Future of the Social Web, substantiates this thinking and organizations better get their hands around the consequences of these shifts because they will radically change everything. The executive summary includes the following:

Today’s social experience is disjointed because consumers have separate identities in each social network they visit. A simple set of technologies that enable a portable identity will soon empower consumers to bring their identities with them — transforming marketing, eCommerce, CRM, and advertising. IDs are just the beginning of this transformation, in which the Web will evolve step by step from separate social sites into a shared social experience. Consumers will rely on their peers as they make online decisions, whether or not brands choose to participate. Socially connected consumers will strengthen communities and shift power away from brands and CRM systems; eventually this will result in empowered communities defining the next generation of products.

» via Web 2.0 Journal

A great recap for those who don’t regularly follow his blog.