Accessing data through a social network. User input may be received at a node in a social network requesting access to data or requesting a search for data. The node includes data for an entity. In some embodiments, the entity controls the data at the node exclusive of centralized control of the social network. The node further comprises one or more references defining relationships to other nodes. The relationships are defined on an informational basis such that information in data at one node is related through a relationship to information in data at another node. Each of the other nodes includes other data about other entities. Embodiments may further include receiving data at the node from one or more of the other nodes based on one or more of the relationships. At the node, the data from the other nodes may be published.