What is the "id" field?
All Merge common model objects are assigned a unique ID. This is the primary method of referencing a specific object. These UUIDs are generated by Merge, and cannot be changed.
What is the "remote_id" field?
The "remote_id" field is the id of the object in the remote system. For example, a candidate object from a Greenhouse will have an "id" and a "remote_id". The way to interpret these ids is:
"id": this is the id of the Merge candidate object
"remote_id": this is the id of the Greenhouse candidate object
Are Merge ids always unique?
Yes, Merge ids are guaranteed to be unique. Not only is a given id unique across your organization's linked accounts, but across all Merge linked accounts.
Are remote_ids always unique?
NO. Merge is not able to make any statements on the uniqueness of remote_ids, as they are mapped in from 3rd party systems. If duplicates are possible in a particular 3rd party system, they will appear in Merge.
Additionally, if a given 3rd party system is linked to Merge more than once, duplicate remote_ids are guaranteed. The Merge id will still be unique, however.
What happens if I delete a Linked Account, and then re-link it?
When a linked account is deleted, all associated data is also deleted. This includes all objects, credentials, and metadata. When the account is relinked as a new linked account, all objects will have new Merge ids.