Abstract: Potential connections from a first user of a first online service to other users of the online service may be recommended by identifying a second online service from a plurality of online services, wherein the first user is a member of the second online service, identifying a second user of the second online service, wherein a connection exists in the second online service between the first user and the second user, and recommending that a connection be established in the first online service between the first user and the second user. Such recommendations may also be generated by identifying a second user and a third user, where the second user and the third user are members of a second online service, a connection exists in the first online service between the first user and the second user, and a connection exists in the second online service between the second user and the third user, and recommending that a connection be established in the first online service between the first user and the third user.

Abstract: A method of gathering information relevant to the interests of a user includes receiving activity history associated with the user from a network data source, where the activity history includes a description of a user action initiated by the user, generating a first metadata item based upon the activity history; and storing the first metadata item as user profile information associated with the user in a user profile database. Generating the first metadata item may include extracting text from the activity history and generating the first metadata item based upon the text. The activity history may include a description of a user action.

Abstract: Potential connections from a first user of a first online service to other users of the online service may be recommended by identifying a second online service from a plurality of online services, wherein the first user is a member of the second online service, identifying a second user of the second online service, wherein a connection exists in the second online service between the first user and the second user, and recommending that a connection be established in the first online service between the first user and the second user. Such recommendations may also be generated by identifying a second user and a third user, where the second user and the third user are members of a second online service, a connection exists in the first online service between the first user and the second user, and a connection exists in the second online service between the second user and the third user, and recommending that a connection be established in the first online service between the first user and the third user.

Abstract: A method of gathering information relevant to the interests of a user includes receiving activity history associated with the user from a network data source, where the activity history includes a description of a user action initiated by the user, generating a first metadata item based upon the activity history; and storing the first metadata item as user profile information associated with the user in a user profile database. Generating the first metadata item may include extracting text from the activity history and generating the first metadata item based upon the text. The activity history may include a description of a user action.