Methods and apparatus for merging peer-to-peer overlay networks. A method includes receiving an advertisement from a second overlay network, determining a size of the second overlay network, performing a self search on the second overlay network based on a persistent node identifier, if the size of the second overlay network is greater than the size of a first overlay network, and joining the second overlay network if the persistent node identifier is not part of the second overlay network. An apparatus includes a transceiver to receive an advertisement from a second overlay network, and a processor coupled to the transceiver to determine a size of the second overlay network, perform a self search on the second overlay network based on a persistent node identifier, and join the second overlay network if the persistent node identifier is not part of the second overlay network.