One of the most searched-for keywords on the internet is ‘best dating apps for relationships’. For many people, this can be sad, but today, online dating has removed the stigma surrounding it.
Online dating apps & their algorithms
Studies show that 3 out of 5 people in the USA are not opposed to meeting someone online. But how much do we know about this online dating matchmaking process?
Online dating websites have their apps now, and even big sharks like OkCupid and Tinder all are powered by machine learning AI algorithms that match people around their geography.
So, the chances are if you have met your soul mate online, you have to thank algorithms rather than just Cupid, the God of love.
Even though Tinder, OkCupid, and eHarmony have managed to keep the secret behind their matchmaking process a secret, researchers at Cornell University have cracked that can wide open.
These days most online dating apps use their AI algorithm to match new users on the following factors initially –
- The agreeableness level
- Closeness preference
- Romantic passion range
- Extroversion or Introversion level
- Importance of spirituality
- The level of optimism or happiness
In addition to these criteria, the algorithm then adds the new user’s location, height, and religious information to draw matches for users.
So, you can see that the algorithm polls in all this information and draws in matches that are closest to the new user’s preference. Hence, you can thank Math for that lovely date you had last Saturday.
How do Dating Apps eliminate guesswork
Simply put, the dating app algorithm learns from user data. The AI is designed to gather user data and learn from your preferences and actions. That helps the AI push the matched profiles closest to your preferences.
For example, if you don’t like people with piercings, the algorithm will quit showing your profiles with piercings.
This means that all the guesswork in the dating game is out of the window for you. You would not have met all these people had you tried dating offline. Dating app algorithms bring you closer to like-minded individuals and also learn your actions all the way.
Can you play with the Dating App Algorithm
For this, I have to go back to an episode of Parks and Recreation. In that comedy sitcom, Tom Haverford, a character, opened 26 different Tinder profiles. He did that to increase his chances of meeting a woman of almost all preferences.
So, yes, tacking such preference alterations through multiple profiles can be a big issue for online dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, eHarmony, etc. Some smart apps detect an unused profile long enough to call for its deletion.
According to eHarmony, they close 300 profiles daily to advocate for a healthy and non-fraud dating space. OkCupid, Tinder, and Bumble heavily depend on users reporting abuse against a profile to maintain a healthy dating space.
To add to it, most dating app companies use computer-human intuitions to detect misbehavior. For example, they will read through your activity and see if you have opened multiple profiles. It can also detect whether a user pretends to be in a foreign country. You can also get banned for explicit language and behavior.
Technically, yes, there are ways to play with the algorithm, but it is never advised to do so. Even if it is preferential dating math, being yourself online would probably actually find you the love you have been looking for.
A few pieces of advice as follows:
- Do not swipe right on every profile. Rather, keep it at a healthy 30% to 50%.
- Work on your profile. Use a catchy caption — Link Instagram, etc.
- Be genuine — no fake pictures or Photoshop.
- Try replying to every message. This matters. So if you believe you would be inactive for a while, better deactivate the app temporarily.
- Be yourself. Don’t try to spoof anything.
Remember, just like Facebook and Google, dating apps’ algorithms expect their users to use their applications genuinely. Don’t try shortcuts.
Are Online Dating Apps worth it?
Yes! Online dating boils down to strict math but, as true as that statement is; so is the fact that you get to meet different people. These dating app algorithms are designed to bring you closer to someone who shares your beliefs and ideas.
By making the user the centerfold of the whole math, you can ensure that you will at least end up meeting someone interesting.
EndNote
There is no doubt that the future of online dating is mobile-based. As more people join the online dating wagon, users are changing how they use the internet to find their mates.
Knowing the algorithm and its preferential math system will definitely help you refine your activities so that you are matched with someone closer to your tastes.
Read next: Mistakes to avoid in Online Dating.
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