What Are Online Dating Algorithms?

Algorithms seem to run our lives these days. Have a question? Just Google it. Hungry? DoorDash or UberEats can recommend a restaurant and deliver your fave dishes. 

But when you are looking for love, will an online dating service deliver your soul mate to your inbox?

This article will examine all aspects of online dating algorithms: how an algorithm finds matches for you, the algorithm’s limitations, how to overcome them, and examples of reliable online dating apps you can consider trying. Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Basics | How It Works | Examples | Future Trends

In the world of dating apps, algorithms are the road maps that help couples find one another. They identify good matches and incompatible profiles ahead of time, so you’re not stuck taking wrong turns and hitting dead ends in the swiping game.

Algorithm Defined

Every online dating app has a meticulously designed matchmaking process meant to give the best result to its users.

A basic algorithm for finding matches might:

• Take your profile details (age, interests, location) as primary input.
• Factor in your partner preferences (age range, interests, location, etc.).
• Analyze other users’ profiles based on your input.
• Compare your profile and preferences with other users’ profiles.
• Find users who match your criteria.
• Output a list of potential matches for you.

There’s nothing mysterious about online dating apps. It’s all about calculation. That’s why online dating is a numbers game: The more users in the database, the better the result will be.

Online dating sites that aren’t very popular and have few users will lead to less-than-satisfactory online dating experiences.

Take my experience as an example.

I’m based in Jakarta. When it comes to dating apps, Bumble is far more popular here than Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB).

I used to hang out on CMB. At first, the profiles looked so dashing, filled with people with overseas degrees and good jobs.

My gut said, “Why don’t I meet these kinds of people in real life? Like, a guy who claims to be an MIT graduate and works only a few blocks away?”

After some time, I realized most of the conversations I had on CMB were with scammers.

When I moved to Bumble, my suggested profiles were all people I’d meet in real life. Their jobs, schools, and faces look like those of my friends, mutual friends, and coworkers. 

I’ve met three guys from Bumble in person. So far, I haven’t met my man yet – but I would confidently say that, at least here in Jakarta, most people on Bumble are real human beings.

How It Upgrades Traditional Matchmaking

Most people end up marrying someone from their social circle. Your family, school, campus, religion, and location can limit your dating pool.

Online dating turns this approach upside down. You can set your preferences, and the algorithm will deliver profiles that fit your criteria. This process happens in seconds, as the computer does the hard work for you.

However, if you stay on an online dating app long enough, you’ll meet the same people with different names and faces.  You’ll have the same conversation over and over. It’s no wonder that many people experience online dating burnout and uninstall the platforms entirely.

Advantages & Limitations

What do Barack Obama, Zendaya, and Keanu Reeves have in common?

They have interracial parents.

Barack Obama’s father was African, and his mother was from Kansas. 

Zendaya’s parents are an African-American man and a  German-Scottish woman.

Keanu Reeves has a diverse heritage. His father is of Hawaiian-Chinese, English, Irish, and Portuguese descent, while his mother is English.

Love unites differences and makes our lives colorful.

However, that’s not the case if you browse an online dating app. You typically get pigeonholed based on your preferences.

If you set your filter to show only Latino matches, that’s exactly who you’ll see. Even if you don’t set preferences and simply swipe on olive skin and dark eyes. This approach leaves little room for serendipity in finding love.

To address these limitations, you should change your search filters from time to time. Additionally, dating apps should educate their teams to be inclusive, design their algorithms to treat all ethnic groups equally and educate users about the impact of their preferences.

Online dating can see mysterious because most companies aren’t exactly transparent with how their matchmaking algorithms work. But we can infer certain things based on the patterns and results we see in the interface.

Types of Data Collected

Have you ever chatted with a friend about buying a new dress from a certain brand and then started seeing ads about that dress?

In the modern age, we are never alone because the algorithms are listening. 

The same thing happens when you hang out on dating apps.

The algorithm observes your behavior, profile details, and messages. Once it learns your preferences, it shows you more people who match your like history. This is all meant to get you the most promising matches that’ll keep you interested.

We live in an attention economy where those who can catch people’s attention win the game. In the online dating scene, the longer you swipe left and right, the better it is for business.

 Analysis by Machine-Learning Tech

Online dating algorithms use advanced machine-learning technologies to assess user data and suggest matches. Each app has a secret weapon for finding the best matches for users.

For example, eharmony uses its patented 32 Dimensions Personality Assessment. This psychological test includes dozens of questions about a person’s likes, dislikes, hobbies, dealbreakers, and goals.

This questionnaire is extensive, which is by design because it repels casual daters. eharmony recommends local profiles with a high compatibility score. 

The online dating service aims to help you find not just any partner, but the right partner.

On the other hand, Tinder might be more suitable if you’re leaning toward casual fun. Tinder’s simple swipe interface gamifies the process of getting dates. This approach has resulted in 97 billion matches and counting.

Online dating has no shortage of success stories. From long-distance lovers to married couples, plenty of people have an algorithm to thank for their romantic bliss. Here are some real-life examples from some of the biggest names in the industry.

Match

You can sign up for Match.com on the site or download the mobile app for free to start searching for love online. Once you complete your profile, Match’s algorithms will narrow your dating pool based on the preferences and lifestyle selections from both your profile and the profiles of potential matches.

However, after 30 years in the online dating scene, Match found that people didn’t always want the things that their profiles said they were seeking.

That’s why Match uses two algorithms: Reverse Match and Mutual Match. Reverse Match means one user fits the other user’s preferences, and Mutual Match means both users are interested in each other.

This approach allows you to connect with other users even if they don’t “Like” you. The extent to which you can enjoy this feature differs depending on your status: Paid members get unlimited messaging, while free plans have limited messaging.

Once you become a paid member, you can boost your profile with several add-on features such as Reply for Free, Private Mode, Email Read Notification, and matchPhone. The last option is very clever, as it lets you call and text matches using a Match-generated number. That way, you don’t have to reveal your actual phone number.

Tinder

Tinder is an example of how an algorithm can change people’s lives. Every online dater knows Tinder’s rule: Swipe right if you like a profile, swipe left to say no.

Tinder’s algorithm shows you profiles with photos, bios, or location settings similar to your own. It also considers how many people have swiped right on you.

Practically, Tinder’s algorithm might look like a popularity contest. Getting lots of “right swipes” means lots of people like you; therefore, the algorithm will love your profile and show it to more people.

Tinder also tracks your behavior. For instance, if you swipe right on people with camping pics in their profiles, the algorithm will send you more outdoorsy people to match with.

To get a better result, don’t swipe right on everyone. If you do, you’re telling the algorithm that you’re not picky. That means Tinder will show your profile to people with low-quality profiles (like those with incomplete bios). Swipe left when you don’t like someone. That way, you let the algorithm know what kind of profiles you like.

Unfortunately, Tinder doesn’t let you filter your matches based on religion, ethnicity, or social status. This can be a deal breaker for people seeking a partner based on these criteria.

Zoosk

Zoosk was a Facebook application in December 2007. Now, it’s a global dating site with millions of users. This platform is popular among a fairly young crowd in over 80 countries and has been translated into 25 languages.

Zoosk offers multiple ways to match.

Fans of the swiping game will enjoy the Carousel feature. You’ll see the photos and ages of other Zoosk singles and select a quick “yes” or “maybe”. Then, the algorithm will notify the member that you are interested in them.

If you aren’t interested, simply say “no” and move on. If you both say “yes”, you’ll be a Mutual Match and your match will show up in your Connections.

On the other hand, if you prefer to get right to the point, SmartPick is just the thing for you. With this feature, the algorithm finds you someone special. That way, you don’t have to peruse a lot of matches online.

Zoosk’s SmartPick algorithm evaluates compatibility based on profiles and preferences. The algorithm learns from your likes and dislikes to find better match recommendations for you. 

Bumble

Bumble gained fame as an online dating app that put women in the driver’s seat. Initially, women had to make the first move. That way, they wouldn’t be bombarded with chats from random guys.

After 10 years, Bumble noticed that many women felt burdened by the need to think of what to say and how to keep the conversation going. Also, social norms still dictate that men make the first move, whether it’s for dates, sex, or marriage.

So, Bumble is taking a different approach.

Now, women can add prompts to their profiles for men to respond to. For same-sex dating, either person can set and respond to these prompts, called Opening Moves.

Opening Moves allows you to set a question as a conversation starter. Some of the questions are: “What’s your ideal first date?” and “How many episodes of a series is it acceptable to watch in one sitting?” You can also write your own questions.

Getting a response to your Opening Move shows that someone wants to know more about you. Their profile will pop up in your chat queue, and you will have 24 hours to respond before the match expires.

eharmony

eharmony’s algorithm works differently than those of most online dating apps. Here, you can’t search for potential matches on your own. Instead, the algorithm will pick several profiles and deliver them to your inbox daily.

How does the algorithm choose your match?

It uses a personality quiz consisting of over 80 questions about your relationship boundaries, communication style, personality traits, beliefs about love, and other topics. The eharmony algorithm compiles all your answers and creates your Personality Profile.

You and your potential match will see a number between 60 and 140 on each other’s profiles. That number is your compatibility score. A compatibility score of over 100 is an above-average result, meaning the two of you have the potential to work well together. 

Everyone who joins eharmony must take this test. You can’t retake the compatibility quiz unless you’re renewing a premium membership. 

While you will rely on the eharmony algorithm to get matches, you can use free and paid filters to help personalize your results. Free filters include height, age, smoking habits, and child preferences; paid filters include religion, ethnicity, income, and education.

The good thing about the dating scene is that it’s always changing. But that can be challenging too. Singles need to stay up to date on the trends, particularly in the digital space, so they can form the best strategy for success.

AI Can Upgrade the Process

There’s a learning curve every time you use a new app. If you want to get a good online dating experience, you must understand how the app works. That means asking for guidance when you have a question. 

Most people want their online dating adventure to be private, so asking someone in real life can be daunting. This is where AI-powered chatbots can come in handy.

You can ask a chat bot and get an immediate answer. If you need more help, the chatbots will connect you with customer service.

Another way AI helps with the online dating experience is through conversation. AI will help you start conversations with someone new by offering an icebreaker prompt or catchy questions.

Real-Life Coaches Can Also Play a Role

Besides relying on algorithms to match individuals based on users’ profiles and behaviors, online dating platforms should consider hiring real-life coaches to improve the algorithm. Coaches can offer insights into things that algorithms might miss, such as subtle nuances in human behavior, body language, and personal preferences.

In short, real-life coaches can make the algorithm more human.

This isn’t a new idea in the online dating world; eharmony has already adopted this approach by using psychological principles of attraction in its online dating algorithm. The result? Data indicates that eharmony is responsible for 2% of marriages in the U.S.; among those marriages, the divorce rate is only 3.86%.

Data Privacy & Ethical Considerations

When you join an online dating app, you share your personal information: your legal name, age, and personal email address. Even worse, the online dating algorithm has access to your chat, your video, and every little secret you might share in your DMs.

What do dating sites do with this data? A company can share it, sell it, or do only the bare minimum to keep that data secure. 

Some apps, like Tinder and Grindr, will say they collect only your precise geolocation “with your consent,” but the app won’t work without it. 

What steps can the user take to protect their privacy? Here are some tips:

• Use a dedicated email address and phone number for online dating, separated from your regular email address and phone number. 
• Only post photos and details you’re OK with being made public.
• Don’t log in with third-party accounts and don’t link your social media accounts to your profile.
• Limit app permissions from your device settings (like your location, address book, and camera roll). 

Another ethical challenge for an online dater is how to separate your dating life from your professional life. I’ve found that when I finally give my number to matches, they save my name as “Anggi Bumble” or “Anggi Tinder.”

This might not seem harmful until a client checks your number in an application like Get Contact. People will know that you hang out on dating apps.

If you’re new to online dating, understanding how dating algorithms work can give you a head start. 

Online dating apps offer a shortcut to meeting someone new, no matter what your dating goal is. Whether you seek casual dates or long-term partners, you can use the right dating apps to your advantage.

Just know that a machine algorithm won’t solve all your relationship problems. Once you meet someone in person, it’s all about how you handle the situation and build a rapport. Best of luck!