Information Diffusion Analysis: Process, Model, Deployment, and Application

Abstract The information deployment on social networks through word-of-mouth spreading by online users has contributed well to forming opinions, social groups, and connections. This process of information deployment is known as information diffusion. Its process and models play a significant role in social network analysis. Seeing this importance, the present paper focuses on the process, model, deployment, and applications of information diffusion analysis. First, this article discusses the background of the diffusion process, such as process, components, and models. Next, information deployment in social networks and their application have been discussed. A comparative analysis of literature corresponding to applications like influence maximization, link prediction, and community detection is presented. A brief description of performative evaluation metrics is illustrated. Current research challenges and the future direction of information diffusion analysis regarding social network applications have been discussed. In addition, some open problems of information diffusion for social network analysis are also presented.