Available Online at www.ijcsmc.com International Journal of Computer Science and Mobile Computing A Monthly Journal of Computer Science and Information Technology ISSN 2320–088X IJCSMC, Vol. 2, Issue. 7, July 2013, pg.371 – 377 RESEARCH ARTICLE © 2013, IJCSMC All Rights Reserved 371 On Some Aspects of Link Analysis and Informal Network in Social Network Platform Subrata Paul Department of Computer Science and Engineering, M.I.T.S. Rayagada, Odisha 765017, INDIA subratapaulcse@gmail.com Abstract— This paper presents a review on the two important aspects of Social Network, namely Link Analysis and Informal Network. Both of these characteristic plays a vital role in analysis of direction of information flow and reliability of the information passed or received. They can be easily visualized or can be studied using the concepts of graph theory. We have deliberately omitted discussing about general definitions of social network and representing the relationship between actors as a graph with nodes and edges. This paper starts with a formal definition of Informal Network and continues with some of its major aspects. Moreover its application is explained with a real life example of a college scenario. In the later part of the paper, some aspects of Informal Network have been presented. The similar kind of real life scenario is also being drawn out here to represent application of informal network. Lastly, this paper ends with a general conclusion on these two topics. Key Terms: - Social Network; Link Analysis; Information Overload; Formal Network; Informal Network I. INTRODUCTION Link analysis is a data-analysis technique used to evaluate relationships (connections) between nodes. Relationships may be identified among various types of nodes (objects), including organizations, people and transactions. Link analysis has been used for investigation of criminal activity (fraud detection, counterterrorism, and intelligence), computer security analysis, search engine optimization, market research and medical research. Link analysis is one of many factors considered by web search engines in computing a composite score for a web page on any given query. Link analysis is in many ways similar to social network analysis (SNA)—both talk about relationships in terms of nodes and edges and both try to derive the idea of who is more important in a network by analyzing the whole network, not individual events. Informal networks by is the part of social network, where there exist no defined or formal structure between nodes (people belonging to the network). It’s more like creating an ad-hoc relationship. People responding to new work directives may act instantly to update their procedures, or may take days to organize themselves in line with company policy. Informal network has its own importance. Informal networks by definition have no structure. People responding to new work directives may act instantly to update their procedures, or may take days to organize themselves in line with company policy.