When you get a notification that you have a new match, it is an exciting feeling. The anticipation. The butterflies. Someone is interested in getting to know you, and that’s a special thing.
It’s easy to see why online dating is considered a popular way to find matches nowadays. Singles’ chances of finding their perfect match has skyrocketed thanks to all the apps and sites available.
What is a match? It’s a compatible pairing of two singles who are looking for romance.
Finding love online wasn’t a really thing until Match.com launched in 1995. Before that, singles had to rely on family members and friends to pair them up.
Online dating has created a systematic approach that trumps serendipity. Some online dating sites match singles based solely on compatibility, while others look at shared interests and preferences.
In this article, I will get to the nitty-gritty and differentiate various types of matches in online dating. I’ll define mutual matches, daily matches, and other common terms that will help you on your dating journey.
Online Dating Match Mechanics
The online matchmaking process usually involves an algorithm that matches users based on their similarities and preferences –– which as a result increases the chances of finding a compatible match.
Online dating also offers an interactive user interface where members can swipe right or left on profiles, send messages and winks, and the app or site will study these behaviors to find matches as well.
How Online Dating Works
AI-driven dating apps such as Elite Singles and OkCupid have users take a personality quiz upon joining, and then the algorithm will suggest matches based on their results. It’s an effective way to personalize the dating experience for users and expedite the dating search as well.
The term “match” is loosely used a lot nowadays and has a lot of people confused as to what a match is. Is a match someone you get serious with? Or perhaps it is a person you finally go on a date with and share a vibe with? If you feel like you’re asking or have asked these same questions, don’t fret. Trust me, you’re not the only one.
Key Concepts & Characteristics
The true definition of a match in online dating is the initial connection between two users who have shown mutual interest in one another, such as swiping right, liking, or engaging in conversation.
The role of matches online is simply to initiate conversations and form potential relationships. Instead of telling users “Hey, this person is interested in getting to know you,” online dating simply sends out notifications instead of saying “You got a new match.”
This is for the better because the idea of matches allows users to date around more without all the pressure. When you receive a match online, you don’t have to immediately think it has to be anything serious, but rather another person expressing interest in you.
What Is a Mutual Match?
A mutual match is always ideal and every user’s end goal. It’s when two people express interest in each other and want to take things further. For example, on dating apps like Tinder, a mutual match happens when both users swipe right (like each other).
A mutual match means both people have expressed interest in each other.
For some dating apps, a mutual match is necessary to get access to start a conversation with another user.
One-way matches are when only one person shows interest, but the other doesn’t reciprocate. As you can guess, things can get pretty uncomfortable when matches are one-sided.
How Mutual Matches Work
Mutual matches create a comfortable environment for introductions and singles getting to know each other for that very reason.
The most common way for a mutual match to occur is if one user likes another user’s profile and the second user also likes them back. But it’s not always as straightforward as that.
But mutual matches work in a variety of ways –– it really just depends on the dating platform and what features they offer.
Zoosk uses behavioral matching that assesses like and chat history. Match creates mutual matches based on what members say they’re looking for in their profiles. Meanwhile, the gay dating app Grindr has a “zero feet away” motto, meaning mutual matches are based on location data.
Compared to one-way matches, mutual matches help set a positive tone from the jump. Both parties are interested in one another — now it’s just a matter of getting to know them. With mutual matches, there’s no need to beat around the bush or question someone’s interests, which is why users tend to move forward in the dating process a lot faster with a mutual match.
Mutual matches are ideal because they increase the likelihood of a meaningful conversation or connection forming.
Examples of Mutual Matches
Mutual matches improve the quality of interactions compared to random, one-sided likes because they show users who have the same intentions as them. For example, for singles who’ve expressed they’re looking for hookups or casual dates, a mutual match will tell them from the get-go they are also looking for that as well.
One Tinder user posted on Reddit that a mutual match led to a serious relationship outside the app. The Tinder user shared that they matched and things expedited shortly after he invited his new girlfriend to a church with him and his mother.
“There was barely any awkwardness at all and we just seemed to be chatting the night away, went really well!” — Tinder success story from Reddit
Bumble users, Lauren and Matthew, agreed to a long-distance relationship after matching with each other. It took them just three months of dating to realize that they wanted to be together.
What Is a Daily Match?
A daily match is typically a feature offered by dating apps where users are presented with a set of new potential matches or profiles each day, often based on the app’s algorithm or user preferences. Daily matches are especially helpful for singles who are on mainstream dating apps and need help getting through the dating scene.
How Daily Matches Work
Compared to casual swiping, daily matches provide curated matches based on factors like shared interests, geographical location, and behavioral patterns.
Daily matches are sent to users every day and, depending on specific features on the app, sometimes are categorized as suggested matches.
Examples of Daily Match Features
Tinder’s “Top Picks” feature was designed to highlight users’ most swipe-worthy potential matches.
“I found Top Picks to be pretty useful on days and weeks when I was really busy and didn’t have much time to swipe. It’s much more efficient than swiping through hundreds of profiles,” said a Tinder user in a Reddit review.
Bumble’s “Bumble Boost” feature allows users to see potential daily matches, and Hinge’s “Most Compatible” matches are curated based on the app’s algorithm.
Dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge offer new matches with a set number of profiles being recommended or highlighted each day. It’s a simple process that ensures that you have options to choose from without overbearing you.
Advantages of Daily Matches
Some people are intimidated by online dating because they’re afraid they won’t be able to find a match, but daily matches help solve this issue. Daily matches ensure that there is someone for everyone on the app and reduce decision fatigue by offering a more curated selection of potential partners each day.
Whether you’re new to online dating or not, daily matches can help guide you on your dating journey. It increases the chances of singles making meaningful connections by focusing on quality rather than quantity. Going through a bunch of swipes may not be as productive as going through your daily matches because they’re unique to you.
Other Types of Match Features in Online Dating
As we discussed, singles can encounter different types of matches, and they can use certain features to draw matches forth. Each potential match plays a vital role in connecting people in meaningful ways, so pay close attention. By understanding the different types of matches you can come across, you can set yourself up for success in the competitive swiping scene.
Super Likes
Super Likes is a way for someone to express sincere interest in another member. There are some profiles you may come across that catch your eye and want to connect with. That’s why Super Likes come in handy.
Super Likes grant people the chance to stand out from standard Likes. It’s another way of saying, “I really like you,” with just a click of a button. The function prioritizes your profile to others and when they like your profile as well, it becomes an instant match. Matches formed off Super Likes often are successful because members are invested from the start.
Passions & Compatibility-Based Matching
What people are interested in and their values should be considered during the matching process. This is why some dating apps like Hinge and eharmony focus on delivering matches that are based on users’ shared interests, values, and lifestyle choices.
Personality tests and questionnaires help dating apps identify how to best serve every member. For instance, Hinge’s prompts are a series of questions that attract members to connect and respond to. eharmony’s compatibility quiz learns what members like, dislike, and their personality types to create unique profiles.
Mainstream dating apps aren’t for everyone. There are dating platforms that focus on niche interests or communities that make it easier for singles to find like-minded matches. Christian Mingle or JSwipe are religious-focused dating apps where matches are tailored based on a specific lifestyle or religious preference.
Location-Based Matches
While online dating helps singles reach people from over the world, it’s nice to meet new people in your area as well. Happn is a good example of a popular dating app that helps users find matches based on proximity. Happn’s geolocation feature shows users nearby potential matches that they may have never run into otherwise.
Location-based matches also impact the timing and immediacy of connections. Finding a match nearby will allow you to meet IRL a lot sooner than a match from across the world. For this reason, some singles prefer location-based matches so that they can connect off the app as well.
Algorithm-Driven Matches
Instead of teams having to hand-pick and sort through profiles to curate matches, dating apps use algorithms to create matches based on user behavior, preferences, and other data points.
In the same fashion, different platforms use sophisticated algorithms for matches. Hinge’s “designed to be deleted” approach uses an acclaimed algorithm that produces matches based on compatibility. Hinge also receives users’ feedback on previous failed dates so that the algorithm can learn your type and introduce you to members who fit the bill.
OkCupid is popular for matching singles on what matters to them. OkCupid’s algorithm is considered one-of-a-kind and suggests profiles of potential matches and even friendships based on questions users answer upon joining.
Interactions With Matches
Some experts highly recommend that singles get to know potential matches online before meeting IRL. You can text or video chat to gauge chemistry. But ultimately, you don’t know how the first date will go until you’re on it.
Text-Based Matches
Text-based matches form when two individuals connect through messaging or chat within an app after a mutual match is made. When the conversations start flowing and messaging one another becomes a frequent thing, that’s how you know you’ve found a text-based match.
These matches can loosely be labeled as similar to having a pen pal. Text-based matches can transition well into the real world because people become more comfortable with someone after multiple conservations.
It can be easy to get caught up in your feelings when you are messaging someone every day. But some text-based matches are simply casual and may not be anything more than good chats between strangers. People need to socialize and get things off their chest, even if it is with someone they have never met in person before.
Video Date Matches
Video dating is a newer feature on dating apps such as Zoosk, and it has quickly become a fan favorite. It’s not surprising considering that video dates allow users the chance to engage with their matches through live video calls.
And in a time when people are skeptical and on high alert about scammers and catfishers, video dates make singles feel a lot more peaceful with talking to people online.
Although video-based interactions may sound intimidating at first, they bring a different level of security that daters need when online dating. Photos and descriptive profile bios can only do so much. There comes a time when singles need to meet face-to-face and sometimes that’s not possible due to distance, so video dates create the next best thing.
In-Person Meeting
Regardless if you’re looking for love or a one-night stand, meeting someone in person is usually the end goal when people sign up for online dating. Thankfully, there are certain features such as “Location,” “Nearby,” or “Real Life Events” that encourages matches to move into the physical world.
In-person meeting matches differ from virtual-only connections because people can communicate more effectively through nonverbal body language. Virtual connections can feel limited at times, whereas meeting someone in person, you get the full dating experience.
The Impact on Online Dating Experiences
Matches do take a toll on users’ minds. It can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience to receive a match. How so? Depending on the app’s dynamics, matches can create a sense of validation or anxiety in users.
Psychology of Matching
On days when you don’t feel so hot, it can be reassuring to see new matches of people who are interested in getting to know you – it’s even uplifting. Similar to getting hit on randomly outside, a new match can give you that same feeling.
But if you’re an overthinker like me, you can get caught up in the what-ifs and possibilities with new matches as well.
Match Frequency & Engagement
The frequency of matches and user satisfaction are highly correlated. Oftentimes, when users receive recurring new matches, they are more satisfied with the dating app. But a lot of users aren’t satisfied with just any match.
Users are typically more engaged and active on a dating app that provides mutual matches and fun features such as icebreaker questions to connect with others.
Quality vs. Quantity
Many people will agree that quality is more favorable than quantity –– and this mindset can also be applied when dating.
Finding a quality connection is more ideal and fruitful than swiping through hundreds of matches you don’t click with. That’s why quality-driven dating apps such as Bumble limit the amount of daily swipes they can do to focus on building genuine connections.
You can be considered a match on paper, but if people get complacent with online matches, they will never go beyond the web to make meaningful connections. Fewer matches push singles to communicate and get to know people, rather than being presented with too many options and not feeling inclined to do so.
Try Different Dating Services to See What You Like
Online dating can appear intimidating at first glance, but it’s not as complex as people may think. The matchmaking process is fairly simple thanks to the dating apps team’s heavy involvement in pairing users together.
Regardless if it’s a mutual match or a daily match, the online dating world is shifting in a direction to help singles find more quality matches. I predict that the future will consist of more AI-driven matchmaking, more video-centric interactions, and further personalization of match algorithms.
All this is to say that the future of online dating is heading in a direction of more reliance on technology to help people find connections.
When people are closed-minded and perceive matches one way, they often find themselves disappointed when they don’t receive a particular match. Make the most of online dating and be open to experiencing all kinds of pairings so that you can eventually find your perfect match.
