3 ms·

In the book Dataclysm by Christian Rudder, he performs an analysis of OkCupid messages and responses. Number of responses received after an initial message was

In the book Dataclysm by Christian Rudder, he performs an analysis of OkCupid messages and responses. Number of responses received after an initial message was used as the success metric (because that's really the only thing they can accurately measure, no reliable way to quantify the quality or satisfaction from a conversation). Unsurprisingly, the men who sent the most messages performed better than average. More surprisingly, men who copied-and-pasted the same messages over and over again to different women did even better. I don't know if this applies exactly to apps like Tinder and Bumble who use a hidden elo system, but it seems like sending as many messages as possible is (intuitively) a winning strategy. More messages = more opportunities. EDIT: Sorry this is like the fifth time I've edited this. I think the conclusion from the OkCupid data is that writing thoughtful openers quickly hits diminishing returns. Thoughtful discussion won't ever be a bad thing, though.

swatcoder 4y ago
Choosing a metric because it’s the only one you have doesn’t make it a good one. The only person who cares how many responses you get from random people is a data scientist. Presumably, you’re there to connect with people you’d have a good time with. You want to optimize for suitability, which has nothing to do with that metric. (And besides, all of the apps now penalize indiscriminate swiping and other spammy behaviors that are cheap to track)
- zarzavat 4y ago
  Both can be true. Is spamming the best strategy for Tinder? Yes. Spamming may be penalized but using the app discerningly (for men) is penalized more harshly. Is using Tinder a waste of time? Yes, unless your value to the opposite sex can be encapsulated in one photograph (i.e. you spend a lot of time in the gym). There are easier ways to get laid. > Presumably, you’re there to connect with people you’d have a good time with It’s a casual sex app. Real dating apps have profiles.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
  - DeathArrow 4y ago
    >There are easier ways to get laid. Which are those? Unless you count paying for sex.
bruceb 4y ago
I have comment before when his name comes up, I would take books or articles by Christian Rudder with a grain of salt. What he writes is probably generally true. But for the somewhat well known race and dating Ok Cupid article he didn't normalize the data. Didn't hold things like education constant. What is presented in articles and books is probably a little more complicated than the conclusions that the readers is given.

swatcoder 4y ago

Choosing a metric because it’s the only one you have doesn’t make it a good one. The only person who cares how many responses you get from random people is a data scientist. Presumably, you’re there to connect with people you’d have a good time with. You want to optimize for suitability, which has nothing to do with that metric. (And besides, all of the apps now penalize indiscriminate swiping and other spammy behaviors that are cheap to track)

zarzavat 4y ago
Both can be true. Is spamming the best strategy for Tinder? Yes. Spamming may be penalized but using the app discerningly (for men) is penalized more harshly. Is using Tinder a waste of time? Yes, unless your value to the opposite sex can be encapsulated in one photograph (i.e. you spend a lot of time in the gym). There are easier ways to get laid. > Presumably, you’re there to connect with people you’d have a good time with It’s a casual sex app. Real dating apps have profiles.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
- DeathArrow 4y ago
  >There are easier ways to get laid. Which are those? Unless you count paying for sex.

bruceb 4y ago

I have comment before when his name comes up, I would take books or articles by Christian Rudder with a grain of salt. What he writes is probably generally true. But for the somewhat well known race and dating Ok Cupid article he didn't normalize the data. Didn't hold things like education constant. What is presented in articles and books is probably a little more complicated than the conclusions that the readers is given.