The Role of Personality Tests in Online Dating and Their Impact on Singles

The first time I remember taking a career aptitude test, I was 12 years old. After answering the 100-ish questions, I was presented with my results: I should either be a therapist, a teacher, or a choreographer. (I had never danced a day in my life, so I was particularly flattered by this last one.) 

I vaguely understood at the time that these aptitude tests were gathering insights into my skills, curiosities, and working style to place me in careers that I was most compatible with. What I didn’t understand, however, is that a very similar set of questions could also be used to determine romantic compatibility or that a day would come when millions of singles all over the world would be using them in the journey to finding their soul mate.

These different-but-really-not-that-different sets of questions come together to form personality tests. They’ve increasingly become part of the mainstream over the past decade or so because, in part, they’re entertaining, insightful, and actually kind of fun. (I mean, who doesn’t want to take a test about everyone’s favorite subject: themselves?). What’s more, they’ve played an integral role in bringing singles together in this ever-growing, ever-changing modern world. 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why these personality tests have had such an impact, chat through a couple of the most prominent, science-backed personality theories, and examine the advantages and drawbacks of incorporating them into the search for love. 

Examples of Dating Platforms Using Personality Tests

This may only be news for older generations — or, perhaps, those who are lucky enough to live on a remote island far away from civilization — but dating apps have taken the world of romance by storm. In fact, according to a study published by Stanford, getting connected over dating apps is now the number one way new couples meet.

Consequently, the plethora of dating apps currently vying for the attention of singles everywhere are left looking for ways to strengthen their matchmaking algorithm and, essentially, play the game better than the rest. Incorporating personality tests into their onboarding process is one of these ways. 

1. eharmony

Founded in 2000 by clinical psychologist Dr. Neil Clark Warren, eharmony was one of the very first online dating platforms to hit the digital scene. (Essentially, it walked so that apps like Bumble, Hinge, and Grindr could run). In addition to being initially known for targeting Christian singles, it also made a name for itself as a platform that focused on helping singles create real, meaningful connections based on genuine compatibility. 

eharmony achieved this by including a thorough “compatibility quiz” in its sign-up process, which was based on a combination of the concepts articulated in the Big Five Theory of Personality, as well as the founder’s proprietary framework, “29 Dimensions of Compatibility.” Using insights from both, the quiz assesses the user’s personality traits, values, and relationship habits to present users with a limited amount of potential matches per day. 

The platform has since expanded its appeal to a broader audience but has continued using its compatibility quiz to connect potentially well-suited singles. 

2. Match

Launched several years before eharmony, Match was also one of the pioneers of mainstream online dating services. One could even call it the OG of the OGs. 

This platform, now touting over 75 million users worldwide, is still one of eharmony’s biggest competitors, as they both market themselves as being one of the few dating apps that focuses on genuine, long-term connections rather than connections based on looks or, let’s be honest, level of horniness. 

Match uses a combination of the Big Five Theory and Attachment Theory to assess singles’ lifestyle habits, communication styles, and relationship preferences. With this information, in addition to an advanced algorithm, the platform presents account holders with a list of potential matches to filter through.

3. OkCupid

This platform’s roots trace back to Harvard University in 1999, where four students got curious about how mathematical equations (ones that we now know as algorithms) would influence romantic compatibility. These equations were based on questionnaires that the four innovators shared with other students at their school, which included questions like:

• Do you enjoy horror movies?
• Have you traveled alone to a foreign country for fun?
• Have you ever wanted to chuck it all and live on a sailboat?

Now, with the help of these personalized questions, OkCupid’s algorithm produces matches based not on a “yes” or “no” of compatibility but rather on a percentage. (For example, one message can have 51% compatibility while another has 87%). Users can scroll through the matches provided to them and choose to either start flirting or say “thank you, next” and continue in their search.

Types of Personality Tests Used

Each online dating platform that uses a personality test to inform its matchmaking algorithm will do so with its own added flare. However, many of them employ one of the three following personality tests/theories:

1. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) 

If you’ve heard the acronyms “INTJ” and “ENFP” floating around your friend group or corporate staff room, then you’re already slightly familiar with Myers-Briggs. This particular framework, which seeped into mainstream pop culture in the 1980s and 90s, places individuals into 16 categories (INTJ and ENFP being just two of them) based on the following four dichotomies: 

• Introversion vs. Extroversion
• Sensing vs. Intuition
• Thinking vs. Feeling
• Judging vs. Perceiving

Many dating platforms — such as So Synced — integrate this theory into their algorithms to help determine compatibility between matches. 

2. The Big Five Personality Traits (OCEAN)

As mentioned earlier, the Big Five Personality Theory is used as a foundation for many of the onboarding questions currently being used by dating apps. This framework evaluates individuals based on where they land on the spectrum of the following five characteristics: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.

For example, someone taking a test on the Big Five Personality Traits may be asked to rate the following statement on a Likert Scale (1 being “Strongly Disagree” and 5 being “Strongly Agree”):

“I enjoy being the center of attention at social gatherings.” 

Using the results of a series of questions like these, dating app algorithms can determine which personality types would be best paired with others.

3. Enneagram Test

The Enneagram Test, my personal favorite, has become the subject of chatter of many self-reflective social groups within the past several decades. This model categorizes individuals into nine personality types based on two things: what an individual fears most and what they are most motivated by. 

Each of the nine personality types is given names, such as “The Helper (hey, that’s me!), “The Investigator,” and “The Individualist.” Those who have been given the title of the latter, for example, are described as: “The Sensitive, Withdrawn Type: Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and Temperamental.”

Using these categories, dating app algorithms can match individuals who have complementary personality types. (If I had to guess, I would say that “Individualists” would probably not fare well with other Individualists; perhaps a “Peacemaker” or a “Loyalist” would be better). 

The Science Behind Personality Testing in Dating

Ultimately, there is no exact science to determining compatibility between romantic partners, and any research linking personality tests and relationship viability is fuzzy at best. That isn’t to say, however, that science can’t give us a gentle nudge in the right direction.

For example, if I were to hop on the dating apps today (I’m currently on a break and recovering from burnout), I may use my knowledge of Enneagrams to filter out potential suitors. I’m a “Helper” (Type Two of the nine Enneagram Types), and the research tells me I’d probably opt for matches who identify as “Individualists” (Type Four) or “Enthusiasts” (Type 7), as these two types tend to complement my loving, nurturing nature best.

What’s interesting, though, is that this same research tells me I would fare well with “Peacemakers,” whom I actually often butt heads with and have decided to avoid entirely within the digital romance landscape. We could get into a long-winded answer as to why this is, but I won’t put you through that; the point is that these personality tests are designed to help us better understand ourselves and others, not predict outcomes. That said, I feel as if they’re best used as “guides” in our decision-making rather than as hard-and-fast rules. 

Benefits of the Online Dating Experience

As we’ve just cleared up, there is no guarantee that personality tests — or the dating apps that utilize them — will lead you directly into the arms of your soul mate. But regardless, they offer some undeniable advantages in your search for love.

Improving Compatibility Matching

Certain dating apps can feel very surface-level and looks-obsessed, but that doesn’t mean organic meet-ups are that far off. For example, I once gave a man at a coffee shop my number simply because I thought he was cute. We ended up going on a date and discovered that we were complete opposites: he’s quiet, I’m talkative, he’s meek, I’m bold; he’s Mormon, I’m agnostic; he loves cats, I’m allergic. The list went on and on. 

Perhaps if he and I were on dating apps, we would have seen the incompatibilities on our profiles and chosen not to swipe right; or maybe, with the help of intelligent dating app algorithms, our profiles would have never been presented to each other in the first place. That’s one of the most significant benefits of using personality tests as the basis of matchmaking algorithms: doing so prioritizes deeper, meaningful, and more practical connections over lust-based ones.

Increased Confidence in Matches

Taking personality tests is about more than just being able to respond with your Myers-Briggs acronym when someone asks you at a party; it’s about gaining insights into your fears and motivations. Then, using this information, you can more efficiently search for those who have either similar or complementary fears and motivations. 

And during an era where finding love is harder than ever, many will take whatever kind of efficiency they can get. 

Encouraging More Meaningful Conversations

I haven’t personally used dating apps that require you to complete a personality quiz or questionnaire, but I do love to match with men who have taken personality tests. To me, it shows that these guys are, at the very least, interested in learning about themselves and understanding how they operate. (After all, self-awareness is a key ingredient to self-development). 

Plus, these tests pave the way for meaningful conversations to transpire — ones that replace the awkward small talk that tends to happen on first dates. Instead of getting stuck on topics like number of siblings or college majors, you can get straight to the juicy stuff, like:

“How does your Enneagram type act in social situations?”

“How does your Myers-Briggs type respond to confrontation?”

Questions like these are really going to get you into the nitty-gritty of compatibility — and sooner rather than later!

Potential Drawbacks and Criticisms

Personality tests can serve as powerful tools as you navigate the path toward romantic love. As we’ve mentioned, however, they’re not guaranteed to take you where you’d like to go. In fact, there are a handful of drawbacks worthy of consideration. 

Over-Reliance on Tests for Compatibility

Relying too much on personality tests is like picking a roommate solely based on the fact that you both like Tame Impala and going to parties on the weekends. Just because you have a few things in common doesn’t mean that your personalities and lifestyle habits are going to mesh — or, at least, mesh in a way that’s healthy for both of you. 

Inaccurate Results & Self-Reporting Biases

Similarly to how people act differently when they’re on camera, people can answer questions on a personality test in completely different ways than they would in real life. This is called self-reporting bias, and it describes the inability of humans to evaluate themselves accurately. 

Often, we will either overvalue or undervalue certain qualities about ourselves, which can lead to skewed test results and, in the context of dating platforms, skewed compatibility. 

And, of course, there is always the chance that there was a glitch in the calculations (which are now almost exclusively done using computers), and the test results come out completely inaccurately. 

People Are More Complex Than Tests

As fun as it is to talk to my girlies, gays, and theys about zodiac signs, I ultimately know that humans don’t belong in such defined categories; we are full of depth and dimension and, more importantly, we can change — if we’re willing to put the work in.

This means we won’t always fall perfectly under a certain personality “type,” and, in fact, may find plenty of similarities with other personality categories that didn’t show up on our test results. This makes the method of using personality types to create online matches not harmful, necessarily, but simply something to be cautious with. 

The Future of Personality Testing in Online Dating

As technology continues to evolve and dating app companies continue to search for ways to stand out among the crowd, we can expect that personality tests will remain a primary focus of oncoming developments.

The Growing Role of AI

OK, so maybe this was a bit misleading. We don’t predict that AI will influence personality tests, but we do predict that it will refine them in indirect ways. This means that, in addition to any answers from onboarding questionnaires, algorithms will use online user behavior (such as swiping tendencies and messaging patterns) to present account holders with potential matches. 

Is it true that most dating apps are already doing this? Absolutely. But we expect that they’ll be doing it in bigger, cooler, more accurate ways.  

Expanding the Scope of Compatibility

It’s not necessary that you and your partner have the same taste in fantasy novels or have an equally powerful love for couples pickleball, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a handful of similar general interests. Luckily, we predict that personality testing in dating apps is going to continue to hone in on niche personality factors such as hobbies, cultural preferences, and social values — this last one being of particular value in this era of divisiveness.

The Impact of Personality Testing on Relationship Longevity

Often, when relationships end, it’s not due to lack of love; it’s due to a mismatch of personality types between the two (or three — I don’t judge) people involved. And when we understand these personality types at a deeper level, we can make more informed decisions about what’s best for us (and not best for us) in relationship dynamics. 

It is the hope that as sociologists continue to expand upon their studies of personality types, our ability to make these decisions will follow suit. 

The Continuing Evolution of Online Dating

As stressful and rage-inducing as dating apps can be, the truth is undeniable: they work for a lot of people. In fact, a recent study posted by The Knot claimed that 27% of couples currently engaged got connected via a dating app — That’s a higher percentage than I currently have on my iPhone battery. 

These apps are clearly doing something right, and it’s safe to say personality tests (and the intelligent matchmaking algorithms that integrate them) are part of what has made that possible. While they’re certainly not foolproof, these personality tests offer us valuable glimpses into our psyches and help us see ourselves through the lens of our fears, motivations, and deepest desires. 

As dating technology advances and social scientists continue to flesh out the personality theories that inform them, we, as a species, will become more and more equipped with the tools to make meaningful (and compatible) connections that last.

Or maybe we’ll continue in our Flop Era. I guess time will tell!