> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.digitalnations.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.digitalnations.xyz/web3-overview/web3-infrastructure/querying-tools.md).

# Querying Tools

## **What is Data Aggregation?**

Like a blockchain-based version of Google, data aggregators use a process called indexing to make it easy for developers and users to quickly search a blockchain for important data. 

Indexing is method of organizing information to make data easier to find.  As the name implies, it’s very similar to the index at the end of a book – instead of going through every page in a book, the index allows us to quickly scan an alphabetical list to find the page number of the information we need.  

Google became a multi-trillion-dollar company by mastering the art of indexing, and when it comes to blockchains, the process may be just as important. 

Unfortunately, there are two main problems with current indexing strategies:

* It can be very time consuming and redundant for blockchains to do it themselves
* Many existing aggregators are centralized

So how do we solve this problem in a decentralized manner?  One possible solution comes through a protocol called The Graph. 

## **How do Data Aggregators Work?** 

While the project is sometimes called the “Google for blockchains”, a better way to think about The Graph is as a decentralized network of thousands of Googles. 

Created by Yaniv Tal the project is an open-source, fully-decentralized indexing protocol for blockchain data. 

There are several key players in The Graph’s ecosystem:

* **Consumers:**  The end-users of The Graph that initiate search requests and pay fees to the Indexers
* **Indexers:**  These are the “workhorses” of the network that provide indexing services in exchange for a fee.  Indexers are independent providers that operate in a decentralized marketplace known as the Query Market.  To incentivize proper behavior, indexers must stake GRT (The Graph’s native token) tokens as collateral. 
* **Delegators:**  Loan GRT to indexers to stake and receive a portion of the profits

<figure><img src="/files/sTWlD3cQfZnTmOhPM7eV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

In addition to the above, the network also hosts curators, who find promising networks to index and fisherman and arbitrators, which serve as a form of quality control.&#x20;

At the time of writing – September 12th, 2022 – The Graph’s fully-diluted market cap is $1.2 billion.&#x20;

## **Who are the Key Players in the Data Aggregation Market?**

While The Graph currently dominates decentralized data aggregation, its biggest competition still comes from centralized providers such as Scout, BigChainDB, Dune Analytics and Google’s BigQuery.&#x20;


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