Identitätsgraph

An Identitätsgraph, or identity graph, is a data structure used to represent and manage relationships between different entities, particularly in the context of identity resolution. It maps various identifiers and attributes associated with a single individual or entity across different systems and data sources. This allows for a unified view of a person or entity, even when they use different email addresses, usernames, device IDs, or physical addresses.

The primary purpose of an Identitätsgraph is to solve the problem of fragmented identities. In today's digital landscape, individuals interact with numerous services and platforms, each often storing information separately. Without an identity graph, it becomes challenging to recognize that these separate records all belong to the same person. By linking these disparate pieces of information, the Identitätsgraph creates a comprehensive profile.

Key components of an Identitätsgraph include nodes, which represent entities (like people, devices, or households) and identifiers (like email addresses, phone numbers, or cookies), and edges, which represent the relationships between these nodes. For example, an edge might connect a "person" node to an "email address" node, indicating that this person uses that email.

Identitätsgraphen are crucial for various applications, including customer data platforms (CDPs), marketing automation, fraud detection, and cybersecurity. They enable businesses to understand their customers better, personalize experiences, prevent fraudulent activities, and ensure data accuracy and compliance. The process of building and maintaining an Identitätsgraph often involves sophisticated matching algorithms and data integration techniques.