Social Login

Social Login is a login method that allows users to sign in to applications via existing accounts from platforms such as Google, Facebook, Apple or Microsoft instead of creating a separate account with its own password.

Technically, social login is usually based on OpenID Connect or OAuth 2.0: the platform authenticates the user and transmits a signed proof of identity together with the released profile data to the application. The advantage for users and providers lies in simplified registration and login – abandonment rates fall, conversion rates rise, and fewer weak or reused passwords arise.

This is offset by trade-offs: the login depends on an external provider, data protection and consents must be designed cleanly, and users without a corresponding platform account need a classic login path as an alternative. In customer identity and access management, social login is therefore usually one of several login options – particularly widespread in e-commerce and digital services.