When OKCupid Played with Profiles...

Christian Rudder, one of the founders of OKCupid recently wrote a blog titled, ‘We Experiment on Human Beings!’ Revealing that OKCupid have been conducting experiments on its users to analyse online dating behaviour.

This brings up a whole load of questions; firstly, is it ok to experiment on people’s data without their permission, and secondly, is it right to mess around with potential love matches? Hmm. Christian Rudder, you appear to be standing on the wrong side of internet etiquette.

But he’s done it now, so we might as well use the information gained to our own benefit. Perhaps it might improve our own online dating experiences…

So what exactly did they do?

"Love is Blind"

On 15^th January 2013, OKCupid took down ALL profile images for their ‘Love is Blind Day.’ The results? Well, it turns out people are a little shallow. Overall, users responded to first messages 44% more often and contact details (email addresses, phone numbers etc.) were exchanged more quickly. When the images came back, 2,200 conversations ended abruptly. Pretty sad!

What does this mean for us?

It means we need to reassess our values. These people began conversations and enjoyed those conversations –there was obviously chemistry there based on personality, it was the photo that put them off. But is the photo really that important? Lots of people are not particularly photogenic, and so it might not be a decent representation of what they look like. And if your conversation flows, you might just have a good time despite not being initially attracted. Give it a chance.

The Power of Suggestion

This experiment was based on the idea that we’re attracted to people because we think we should be, because someone told us it was a good idea, i.e. when online dating sites bring up ‘our matches.’

‘We took pairs of bad matches (actual 30% match) and told them they were exceptionally good for each other (displaying a 90% match)’

The results found that users sent more first messages when they said they were compatible, and after further analysis they found that these pairs went on to quite like each other.

What does this mean for us?

Match results are a good place to start in the online dating world. It whittles down your options to your own specifications, which on a site where there are thousands of singles is a great thing for efficiency. But don’t be scared to pick a wild card. Chat to someone who isn’t your type at all – because opposites attract and all that!

So there we have it, OKCupid have been honest about their actions and the results have been a little helpful (even if the methods are a little controversial).

With all of the above in mind, we’d sum up by saying, be open-minded. Use online dating as a way to meet interesting people who you otherwise wouldn’t. Along the way you might find a date or something more serious (and remember, 1 in 4 couples now meet online, so the odds are in your favour!)

Flirtify, Let’s Get Together.