The development of Web 2.0 has led to the emergence of new models for learning, business, communication, etc. Crowdsourcing is one of these models. The term ‘crowd’ equals to general public. The term "crowdsourcing" was first coined in 2006 by American journalist JeffHowe. Howe (2006) defined it as “the act of a company or institution taking a function once performed by employeesand outsourcing it to an undefined (and general large) network of people in theform of an open call. This can take the form of peer-production (when the job isperformed collaborative), but is also often undertaken by sole individual”. Crowdsourcing is a problem-solving model that using the communication capabilities by the Internet. Thanks to crowdsourcing initiatives, people can for example find a solution to a complex chemical problem, get featured images or design a logo. Its use has become increasingly widespread, as it is used in many fields: medicine, biology, astronomy, etc.

The concept of crowdsourcing has no clear boundaries, and although the concept has been better explained over time.
It comprises 5main types:
1- Crowdcasting. Competition - where a problem is proposed to the audience, and whoever solves it first is rewarded
2- Crowdcollaboration- Crowdstorming(online brainstorming session) and Crowdsupport(customers solve problems of other customers)
3- Crowdcontent: Crowdproduction, Crowdsearching, and Crowdanalyzing. the crowd uses their knowledge to create content but not in acompetitive way.
4- Crowdfunding. an individual or company seeks for funding from the crowd in exchange for areward (i.e.: Kickstarter).
5- Crowdopinion. user opinions about a particular issue or product through votes or comments (i.e.: ModCloth, Intrade) [1].

If you're considering taking on a crowdsourcing project, there are some best practices that help ensure your success: define the goals, identify the audience, set clear expectations, provide guidance and feedback.

One of the most successful crowd-powered examples are waze (It’s an app that allows users to report traffic jams and automatically gives directions for the best route) and McDonald’s Burger Builder (customers submit ideas for the types of burgers they’d like to see in store.) [2]

References: [1] Estellés-Arolas, E., Navarro-Giner, R., & González-Ladrón-de-Guevara, F. (2015). Crowdsourcing fundamentals: definition and typology. Advances in crowdsourcing, 33-48.
[2] https://tweakyourbiz.com/posts/9-great-examples-crowdsourcing-age-empowered-consumers