one embodiment of the present method and apparatus for improving data transfers in peer - to - peer networks includes receiving a search request message from a requesting node , where the search request message requests specific data . a responding node then sends a response message to the requesting node including a referral message comprising at least one referred node that is expected to have the requested data , based on knowledge of the referred node &# 39 ; s previous incoming and outgoing data transfers . the responding node may also indicate that the responding node has the requested data . in addition to increasing the requesting node &# 39 ; s view of the peer - to - peer network , this also enables the identification of nodes with which the requesting node may wish to establish direct peer - to - peer connections , e . g ., to build peer - to - peer communities of nodes having similar interests .