Maximizing Interest Propagation in Social Networks through Influence Maximization

Core Concepts

The goal is to find a seed set of at most k nodes that maximizes the sum of interest values of the influenced nodes in a social network under the Linear Threshold Model and Independent Cascade Model.

Abstract

The paper proposes the Interest Maximization problem, which is a variant of the Influence Maximization problem in social networks. The key aspects are:

The input includes a graph G(V, E) with an interest value η(u) associated with each node u, representing the level of interest the node has in the information being propagated.
The objective is to find a seed set S of at most k nodes that maximizes the sum of interest values of the influenced (aware) nodes under the Linear Threshold Model (LTM) and Independent Cascade Model (ICM).
The authors prove that the Interest Maximization problem is NP-Hard under the LTM and provide a linear programming formulation for it.
Four heuristic algorithms are proposed: Level Based Greedy Heuristic (LBGH), Maximum Degree First Heuristic (MDFH), Profit Based Greedy Heuristic (PBGH), and Maximum Profit Based Greedy Heuristic (MPBGH).
Extensive experiments are conducted on real-world benchmark datasets, and the results show that MPBGH outperforms the other heuristics in maximizing the total interest value of the influenced nodes under both the LTM and ICM.

Stats

The paper does not provide any specific numerical data or statistics. The focus is on the problem definition, complexity analysis, algorithmic approaches, and experimental evaluation.

Quotes

There are no direct quotes from the paper that are particularly striking or support the key arguments.

Key Insights Distilled From

Interest Maximization in Social Networks

by Rahul Kumar ... at arxiv.org 04-15-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.08236.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

What are some potential applications of the Interest Maximization problem beyond viral marketing, such as in the context of information diffusion for public health or disaster response

The Interest Maximization problem has various potential applications beyond viral marketing. In the context of public health, this problem can be utilized to maximize the spread of crucial health information or promote healthy behaviors within a community. For instance, identifying influential individuals in a social network who are highly interested in health-related topics can help in disseminating information about disease prevention, vaccination campaigns, or promoting healthy lifestyle choices. By targeting these influential nodes, public health messages can reach a wider audience and have a greater impact on behavior change.
In disaster response scenarios, the Interest Maximization problem can play a vital role in spreading critical information during emergencies. By identifying and activating key nodes with high interest levels in disaster preparedness or response strategies, important updates, evacuation instructions, or safety protocols can be efficiently communicated throughout the network. This can help in mobilizing resources, coordinating rescue efforts, and ensuring the safety of individuals in affected areas.
Overall, the Interest Maximization problem can be applied in various domains where the effective dissemination of information is crucial for achieving specific objectives or influencing behavior within a social network.

How can the proposed heuristics be extended or modified to handle dynamic social networks where the graph structure and node interests change over time

To adapt the proposed heuristics for dynamic social networks where the graph structure and node interests evolve over time, several modifications and extensions can be considered:

Adaptive Heuristic Strategies: Develop heuristic algorithms that can dynamically adjust seed selection based on real-time changes in the network. This could involve continuously monitoring node interests, updating the graph structure, and recalibrating the seed set to maximize interest propagation.

Incremental Updates: Implement algorithms that can efficiently incorporate incremental updates to the network without recomputing the entire solution. This can involve incremental diffusion processes and adaptive seed selection strategies to accommodate changing network dynamics.

Temporal Analysis: Integrate temporal analysis techniques to capture the evolution of node interests over time. By considering the historical data and trends, the heuristics can prioritize nodes with persistent high interest levels or adapt to sudden shifts in interest patterns.

Reinforcement Learning: Explore reinforcement learning approaches to optimize seed selection in dynamic networks. By training algorithms to adapt to changing network conditions and feedback on information spread, the heuristics can learn to make better decisions over time.

By incorporating these strategies, the proposed heuristics can be enhanced to effectively handle the complexities of dynamic social networks and ensure optimal interest maximization in evolving environments.

Is it possible to develop approximation algorithms with provable performance guarantees for the Interest Maximization problem, or are there inherent limitations due to the NP-hardness of the problem

Developing approximation algorithms with provable performance guarantees for the Interest Maximization problem, despite its NP-hardness, is a challenging yet feasible task. While the problem is inherently complex, approximation algorithms can provide near-optimal solutions within a reasonable computational time. Here are some approaches to address this:

Greedy Approximation: Design greedy approximation algorithms that iteratively select nodes based on certain criteria, such as degree centrality or interest value, to construct a seed set. While not guaranteeing optimality, these algorithms can provide solutions close to the optimal in polynomial time.

Randomized Rounding: Utilize randomized rounding techniques to round fractional solutions to integer solutions, ensuring a feasible seed set that approximates the optimal solution. This method can offer performance guarantees while balancing computational efficiency.

LP Relaxation: Apply linear programming relaxation to relax the constraints of the problem and obtain a fractional solution. By rounding the fractional solution appropriately, an approximate solution can be derived with known performance bounds.

Online Algorithms: Explore online algorithms that make decisions in a sequential manner as the network evolves. These algorithms adapt to changing conditions and provide competitive ratios compared to an optimal offline solution.

While there may be limitations due to the NP-hardness of the problem, leveraging approximation algorithms can still yield effective solutions for Interest Maximization, balancing computational complexity with solution quality.