Phase Transition in the Generalized Stochastic Block Model

Abstract: We study the problem of detecting the community structure from the generalized stochastic block model (GSBM). Based on the analysis of the Stieljtes transform of the empirical spectral distribution, we prove a BBP-type transition for the largest eigenvalue of the GSBM. For specific models such as a hidden community model and an unbalanced stochastic model, we provide precise formulas for the two largest eigenvalues, establishing the gap in the BBP-type transition.