What is the difference between id and user_id

participant.id === if participant is a registered Zoom User, it is that user’s ID (if they’re logged into Zoom, IIRC)

participant.user_id === participant’s unique identifier for this specific single meeting (this may display as a phone number for dial-in users)

I found some related information in this post that might be helpful: Unable to map meeting registrant id with live participant id