The open web is the part of the Internet that is based on open standards and can be used by anyone. This concept creates a democratic digital space where people can build on others’ work without restrictions, just like WordPress.org is built. It is becoming increasingly important for website owners to understand and use the open web. Especially with the emergence of AI-powered systems and the general direction online search is taking. So let’s explore what the open web is and what it means for your website.
What is the open web?
The open web refers to the part of the Internet that is based on open, common standards that are accessible to everyone. It is based on technologies such as HTTP, HTML, RSS and Schema.org, which make it easier for websites and online systems to interact with each other. But it’s about more than just technical protocols. This also includes open source code, public APIs, and the free flow of data and content across websites, services, and devices. Creating a democratic digital space where people can build on the work of others without much restriction.
Because these standards are neither proprietary nor patented, the open web remains largely decentralized. This allows content to be accessed, understood and reused across devices and platforms. This not only encourages innovation, but also ensures that information is discoverable without being locked into proprietary ecosystems.
The benefits of an open web
The open web is based on publicly accessible protocols that enable access, collaboration and innovation on a global scale.
Key benefits include:
- Collaboration and Innovation: Open protocols allow developers to build on others’ work without proprietary restrictions.
- Accessibility: Users and AI agents can equally access and interact with web content regardless of device, platform, or underlying technology.
- Democratization: No single company controls access to information, giving publishers more autonomy.
- Inclusion: The open web creates a level playing field in which everyone has the chance to participate in the digital economy.
The open web vs. the deep web
To give you a better idea of what the open web is, it’s helpful to know a little about the “deep web” and the closed or “walled garden” platforms. The deep web includes content that is not indexed by search engines, while closed systems or walled gardens limit access and keep data isolated.
On the open web, everyone can freely access information. A good example of this is Wikipedia. Accessible to anyone who is looking for information on a topic and wants to contribute to its content. Closed platforms like proprietary apps or social media ecosystems create places where content is only available if you pay or use a specific service. Well-known examples of this are social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Another example is a news website that requires a paid subscription to access.
Essentially, the open web ensures that information is discoverable, accessible and interoperable – rather than limiting it to a handful of platforms.
AI and the open web
The popularity of AI-powered search makes the principles of the open web more important than ever. Decentralized and accessible information allows AI tools to interact directly with content and freely use it to generate a response for a user.
“We believe the future of AI is anchored on the open web.”
Ramanathan Guha, CVP and technical officer at Microsoft.
Microsoft’s Open the NLWeb project is a prime example. It provides a standardized layer that allows AI agents to efficiently detect, understand, and interact with websites without the need for separate integrations for each platform.
What this means for website owners
For website owners, including small business owners, leveraging the open web means making your content freely available in a way that AI can interpret. Using structured data standards like Schema.org makes your website discoverable to AI tools. Increase your reach and ensure your content remains part of the future of search.
Yoast and Microsoft: Collaborating for a more open web
Yoast is proud to partner with NLWeb, a Microsoft project that makes your content more understandable to AI agents without additional effort for website owners. This keeps your content discoverable, reaches a wider audience, and appears in AI-powered search results.
The open web strives for an accessible web where content is available to everyone. A website where it doesn’t matter how big your website or your marketing budget is. Give everyone the chance to be found and represented in AI-powered search. NLWeb helps turn this vision into reality by connecting today’s open web with tomorrow’s AI-driven search ecosystem
Read more: Yoast partners with Microsoft to help AI understand Open Web »