A Review of Link Prediction Algorithms in Dynamic Networks

Mengdi Sun and Minghu Tang ()
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Mengdi Sun: School of Intelligence Science and Engineering, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China
Minghu Tang: Joint Laboratory for Cyberspace Security, Qinghai Minzu University, Xining 810007, China

Mathematics, 2025, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: Dynamic network link prediction refers to the prediction of possible future links or the identification of missing links on the basis of historical information of dynamic networks. Link prediction aids people in exploring and analyzing complex change patterns in the real world and it could be applied in personalized recommendation systems, intelligence analysis, anomaly detection, and other fields. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of dynamic network link prediction. Firstly, dynamic networks are categorized into dynamic univariate networks and dynamic multivariate networks according to the changes in their sets. Furthermore, dynamic network link prediction algorithms are classified into regular sampling and irregular sampling by the method of network sampling. After summarizing and comparing the common datasets and evaluation indicators for dynamic network link prediction, we briefly review classic related algorithms in recent years, and classify them according to the network changes, sampling methods, underlying principles of algorithms, and other classification methods. Meanwhile, the basic ideas, advantages, and disadvantages of these algorithms are discussed in detail. The application fields and challenges in this area are also summarized. In the final summary of the paper, the future research directions such as link prediction in dynamic heterogeneous weighted networks and the security issues brought about by link prediction are discussed.

Keywords: link prediction; dynamic network; complex network; time series forecasting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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