Question: what is the merge feature used for?

[markusklems]

Hi joscha, thanks for the great plugin. I was wondering: in which case is the "merge" of users used? Does this operation change user data in the database backend? How is it different from linking?

[joscha]

Merging merges two already existing user accounts (read: database entries). Each of those accounts can have one to X providers linked (password, google, linkedin, etc.). Linking means that an additional provider (facebook, twitter, etc.) gets added to an existing user account (read: database entry).