Application of relationship weights to social network connections

A computer software product for relationship weighting in social networks, the product comprising a computer-readable storage medium, storing a computer in which program comprising computer-executable instructions are stored, which instructions, when read executed by a computer, perform the following steps:

• identifying a plurality of sources of relationship data;
• extracting from each source a list of connected contacts with a relationship strength for each connection;
• aggregating the lists of contacts from the sources into an aggregated list, with each source having a source weighting;
• and
• applying the aggregated list to a social network to provide relationship strengths between contacts.

A method of providing a service to a customer over a network, the service comprising:

• identifying a plurality of sources of relationship data;
• extracting from each source a list of connected contacts with a relationship strength for each connection;
• aggregating the lists of contacts from the sources into an aggregated list, with each source having a source weighting;
• and
• applying the aggregated list to a social network to provide relationship strengths between contacts.

A system for relationship weighting in social networks, comprising:

• a processor;
• means for connection to a plurality of sources of relationship data;
• means for extracting from each source a list of connected contacts with a relationship strength for each connection;
• means for aggregating the lists of contacts from the sources into an aggregated list, with each source having a source weighting;
• and
• means for applying the aggregated list to a social network to provide relationship strengths between contacts.