Graph Simulation UI guide graph-simulation
Graph Simulation is a tool in the Identity Service UI that you can use to simulate how an identity graph behaves based on the identities you provide and how you configure the Identity Optimization Algorithm.
Use it to safely test graph behavior before you apply Identity Graph Linking Rules to production data. By defining example events and configuring the Identity Optimization Algorithm, including namespace priorities and “unique per graph” settings, you can see whether identities merge into one graph or stay separate, then adjust your configuration as needed. Use this capability to:
- Prevent graph collapse (for example, when multiple people share a device or a phone number)
- Tune namespace priorities (for example, whether EMAIL or CRM_ID should be dominant)
- Assess how low‑quality or reused identifiers might affect stitching in your environment.
You can also rehearse configuration changes and debug identity issues that show up in downstream applications. For example, if audience sizes or merged profiles look wrong, you can rebuild the relevant events in Graph Simulation to see how your current rules shape the graph and try safer alternatives.
The built-in example scenarios help you explain identity behavior and graph-collapse risk to stakeholders and support buy‑in for data quality and identity governance.
Understanding the Graph Simulation interface
To access Graph Simulation, navigate to the Identity Service workspace in the Adobe Experience Platform user interface and then select Graph Simulation.
The interface is organized into three main sections:
Use the Activity panel to add identities to simulate a graph. Each identity needs a namespace and a value. You must add at least two identities to run a simulation. You can also select Load to import a pre-configured event and algorithm setup or to open an existing graph.
Use the Algorithm configuration panel to add and configure the optimization algorithm for your namespaces. Drag and drop namespace rows to change priority order. You can also select Unique Per Graph to mark whether a namespace must be unique within the graph.
Use the Simulated graph display to review the graph produced from your activities and algorithm settings. A solid line between two identities means the link is kept; a dotted line means the algorithm removed that link.
Graph Simulation workflow
Add activities
To begin simulating identity graphs, select Add Activity.
When the pop-up window for Activity #1 appears, choose an identity namespace and enter its value. You can pick a namespace from the dropdown or type a few letters to filter the list. After you select a namespace, enter the matching identity value.
The Activity interface updates to show your first activity.
Select Add Activity again and complete a second activity. You need at least two fully qualified identities (namespace plus value) to generate a graph.
Configure algorithm
After your activities are in place, configure the algorithm for the simulation. Select Add config.
Add each namespace you want the algorithm to consider. Use the dropdown to search, or type the first few letters to narrow the list.
- Namespace priority: You control the order of importance for each namespace within your identity graph. For example, if your graph uses CRMID, ECID, Email, and Apple IDFA, you can set their priority to reflect which should be considered first when linking identities. The namespace at the top of your list will have the highest priority.
- Unique namespace: When a namespace is marked as unique, Identity Service ensures that only one identity with that namespace appears in a graph. For example, if Email is set as unique, each graph will contain only one Email identity. If multiple identities with the same Email are present, the oldest connection will be removed to maintain uniqueness.
Drag namespace rows into priority order: the top row is highest priority and the bottom is lowest. To treat a namespace as unique within the graph, select its Unique Per Graph checkbox.
When you are ready, select Simulate.
View simulated graph
The Simulated Graph section shows the graph or graphs produced from your activities and algorithm configuration.
Additional features
You can also edit or delete activities, enter activities in text mode, load a sample scenario, or pull in an existing graph from Identity Service.
Edit activity edit-activity
To edit an activity, select the ellipses (...) beside a given activity, and then select Edit.
Delete activity delete-activity
To delete an activity, select the ellipses (...) beside a given activity, and then select Delete.
Use text mode use-text-mode
You can use text mode to configure your activities. To use text mode, select the settings icon, and then select Text (Advanced users).
In text mode, type each identity as namespace:value. Separate multiple identities in the same event with a comma (,). Start a new line for each event.
Load example load-example
Select Load example to load a ready-made graph with preset activities and algorithm settings.
A dialog lists the scenarios you can open:
user_null value on every activity because of a code defect.
Choose a scenario to load Graph Simulation with matching activities and algorithm settings. You can edit the result like any other simulation.
Load existing graph load-existing-graph
You can use Graph Simulation to load an existing graph and view its activities, algorithm configuration, and graph.
Select Load and then select Existing graph.
In the dialog, enter a namespace and identity value that belong to the graph you want to inspect.
When the load succeeds, Graph Simulation shows the graph that contains that identity.
Next steps
You can use Graph Simulation to see how Identity Service links identities under different rules before you change production settings. To go deeper, refer to the following documentation: