Web 2.0 icons invite some type of action. The main premises behind the design of Web 2.0 are user-driven content, sharing and interaction. Some of the more common icons allow users to share information on social media platforms, while other types of Web 2.0 objects and buttons give individuals the ability to download or upload media, send feedback or obtain additional information. In addition, some Web 2.0 sites display icons that give visitors the ability to personalize and store content.
The main characteristic of Web 2.0 icons is that they represent an action. One of the more common types of icons is one that represents a social media platform. For example, the icon is typically a graphical representation of the platform's logo that gives users the ability to post or share information through their accounts with the platform's site. Instead of having to manually enter in the website link that contains the information or media they desire to share, individuals can simply click the icon to begin the automated sharing process.
Web 2.0 icons can also allow users to transfer media and information for offline use. On some user-content sites, icons give individuals the ability to download media for storage on a local computer or external media drive, such as an MP3 player. Since these sites tend to be driven by user-created content, they also contain icons that give them the ability to upload information they may wish to share. For instance, users may produce videos and song tracks that they upload to a public page.
Blogging is an example of user-generated sites that contain a variety of Web 2.0 icons. A typical icon related to online blogs is the RSS feed button. This allows people to subscribe to various blogs without having to constantly visit the web site to read the content. Subscribers are notified when new content is posted and can read it through e-mail or store it within the RSS function of a web browser.
There are also Web 2.0 icons that invite web site visitors to send feedback to the site's creators. Some of those icons may display the words "contact," "comment" or "send feedback." These buttons will often forward the visitors' feedback to an e-mail address specified by the site's creator. The e-mail address may not be visible to visitors and is a way for site creators to maintain some degree of privacy.
Other types of icons give site visitors the option of creating a personalized experience during repeat visits. Some Web 2.0 sites are built around the idea of self-filtered content. For example, a music site may allow users to click on icons that create accounts in exchange for some personal information. As these individuals browse the available content on the site, they are able to click on icons that add certain music to their own home pages.
