Analyzing Connections in Social Networks
This patent describes systems for analyzing how people are connected in online communities by assigning scores for things like trust or influence, then using those scores to make automated decisions.
Original patent title: “Systems and methods for social graph data analytics to determine connectivity within a community”
This patent describes systems for analyzing how people are connected in online communities by assigning scores for things like trust or influence, then using those scores to make automated decisions. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This system analyzes connections within a network community by assigning specific 'user connectivity values' to members. These values can represent factors such as 'alignment, reputation, status, and/or influence' or 'the degree of trust' (AbstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more →). These values can be manually assigned by users or automatically generated based on interactions or third-party data (Abstract). The system then finds 'paths connecting a first node to a second node' and performs 'social graph data analytics' on these paths (Abstract). Finally, the analyzed connectivity values and other social graph data are 'outputted to third-party processes and services' to help with 'initiating automatic transactions or making automated network-based or real-world decisions' (Abstract). For example, an online community platform could use this to automatically recommend a mentor to a new member based on high 'alignment' and 'reputation' scores.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover analyzing non-social graphs, such as electrical circuits or transportation routes, as it specifically focuses on 'social graph data analytics'.
- Does not cover systems that only visualize social connections without assigning specific 'user connectivity values' like reputation or trust.
- Does not cover systems where decisions based on connectivity are made manually by a human, as it emphasizes 'initiating automatic transactions or making automated network-based or real-world decisions'.
- Does not cover simple friend lists or follower counts without further analysis of 'alignment, reputation, status, and/or influence' among members.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in assigning diverse and specific 'user connectivity values' like alignment, reputation, status, influence, or trust, and then using these detailed metrics, derived from interactions or third parties, to drive automated decisions and transactions within a network.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram
Professional networking sites like LinkedIn
Online gaming communities
Online review platforms that rank users or contributions
Customer relationship management (CRM) systems analyzing customer influence
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Understanding the complex web of social connections is crucial for online platforms. This technology helps platforms manage communities, suggest relevant connections, and personalize user experiences. It influences how information spreads, how trust is established, and how effective online interactions can be.
Filed
March 18, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major technology companies like Meta (Facebook, Instagram), LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) continuously develop and refine systems for social graph analysis to improve user experience, content delivery, and advertising. Google also applies similar principles across its various social and content platforms. Startups in community management and influencer marketing also build on these concepts.
Market impact
This type of technology underpins much of how modern social and professional platforms operate. It enables more sophisticated community management, personalized content recommendations, and targeted advertising. By allowing automated decisions based on social connections, it facilitates more dynamic and responsive online environments, influencing user engagement and platform monetization strategies.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This system analyzes connections within a network community by assigning specific 'user connectivity values' to members. These values can represent factors such as 'alignment, reputation, status, and/or influence' or 'the degree of trust' (Abstract). These values can be manually assigned by users or automatically generated based on interactions or third-party data (Abstract). The system then finds 'paths connecting a first node to a second node' and performs 'social graph data analytics' on these paths (Abstract). Finally, the analyzed connectivity values and other social graph data are 'outputted to third-party processes and services' to help with 'initiating automatic transactions or making automated network-based or real-world decisions' (Abstract). For example, an online community platform could use this to automatically recommend a mentor to a new member based on high 'alignment' and 'reputation' scores.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in assigning diverse and specific 'user connectivity values' like alignment, reputation, status, influence, or trust, and then using these detailed metrics, derived from interactions or third parties, to drive automated decisions and transactions within a network.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover analyzing non-social graphs, such as electrical circuits or transportation routes, as it specifically focuses on 'social graph data analytics'.
- Does not cover systems that only visualize social connections without assigning specific 'user connectivity values' like reputation or trust.
- Does not cover systems where decisions based on connectivity are made manually by a human, as it emphasizes 'initiating automatic transactions or making automated network-based or real-world decisions'.
- Does not cover simple friend lists or follower counts without further analysis of 'alignment, reputation, status, and/or influence' among members.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$17K – $54K
Midpoint $34K · 17.4 yr remaining · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Analyzing Connections in Social Networks (U.S. Patent No. 12,737,778). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737778/systems-and-methods-for-social-graph-data-analytics-to-determine-connectivity
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Analyzing Connections in Social Networks cover?
This patent describes systems for analyzing how people are connected in online communities by assigning scores for things like trust or influence, then using those scores to make automated decisions.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Understanding the complex web of social connections is crucial for online platforms. This technology helps platforms manage communities, suggest relevant connections, and personalize user experiences. It influences how information spreads, how trust is established, and how effective online interactions can be.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover analyzing non-social graphs, such as electrical circuits or transportation routes, as it specifically focuses on 'social graph data analytics'.
Patent monitoring