# 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.

- **Patent:** US 12737778
- **Original title:** Systems and methods for social graph data analytics to determine connectivity within a community
- **Granted:** 2026
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 0
- **Field:** software, telecommunications, ai_ml, ecommerce, consumer_electronics

## What it does

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.

## 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.

## 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.

## Real-world examples

1. Social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram
2. Professional networking sites like LinkedIn
3. Online gaming communities
4. Online review platforms that rank users or contributions
5. Customer relationship management (CRM) systems analyzing customer influence

## Why it matters

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.

## 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'.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737778/systems-and-methods-for-social-graph-data-analytics-to-determine-connectivity

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12737778

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._