The Evolution of Web3 Data Access: Blockchain Indexers and Their Applications

The core of blockchain technology lies in data, which is the foundation for developing decentralized applications ( dApp ). While current discussions tend to focus on data availability ( DA ), data accessibility is equally important but often overlooked. Data availability ensures that network participants can access the latest transaction data for verification, while data accessibility focuses on how to retrieve historical data, which is crucial for dApp development and blockchain analysis.

In the era of modular Blockchain, DA solutions have become an indispensable part. They ensure that all participants can access transaction data, achieve real-time verification, and maintain network integrity. However, the DA layer functions more like a billboard rather than a database, as data is not permanently stored and will be deleted over time. In contrast, data accessibility focuses on the ability to retrieve historical data, which is crucial for tasks that require past data to ensure accurate representation and execution.

Since the birth of Blockchain, it has completely changed the infrastructure, promoting the creation of dApps in fields such as gaming, finance, and social networks. However, building these dApps requires access to a large amount of blockchain data, which is both difficult and expensive. dApp developers can choose to host and run their own archival RPC nodes, but the maintenance costs are high and the query capabilities are limited. Using commercial RPC node providers is another option, but even simple data retrieval requires a lot of communication, making complex queries inefficient.

Blockchain indexers provide a better solution to this problem. They organize on-chain data and send it to databases for easier querying, often referred to as "the Google of blockchain." The way indexers work is by indexing blockchain data and making it available at any time through a SQL-like query language. By providing a unified query interface, developers can quickly and accurately retrieve the information they need using standardized query language.

There are various types of indexers, including full node indexers, lightweight indexers, dedicated indexers, and aggregated indexers. They are optimized for different needs and provide a variety of data retrieval solutions. Compared to RPC node providers, indexers improve the efficiency and reliability of data retrieval while reducing the cost of deploying a single node.

Indexers have important applications in multiple fields. In DeFi, protocols require various information to calculate prices, interest rates, and more. In the gaming sector, indexers can ensure quick retrieval of data, providing a smooth gaming experience. The NFT market and lending platforms need to index various NFT-related data. Additionally, indexers also enable in-depth analysis of Blockchain data.

Currently, there are multiple Blockchain indexers available on the market, such as The Graph, Subsquid, SubQuery, and Covalent. These indexers each have their own characteristics and differ in terms of data customizability, security, speed, scalability, and supported networks. Choosing the right indexer requires weighing specific needs.

With the popularity of artificial intelligence in Web3, the importance of indexers may further increase. The development of AI applications relies on access to relevant data to train models and develop AI agents, and indexers can play a key role in ensuring data integrity. Some indexers have begun to explore the integration with AI, such as using AI to provide dynamic pricing for query services or supporting multiple AI networks for transparent data indexing.

In the future, the combination of AI and indexers is expected to further enhance the accessibility and usability of data within the Blockchain ecosystem, paving the way for the development of more complex dApps and analytical tools. As this field continues to evolve, data indexing will play an increasingly important role in shaping the decentralized digital landscape.