Dating Sites Using Social Media Activity To Match You? Re...

It was only a matter of time. Dating site Tawkify made the interesting announcement that they would be opening up their match parameters to include details linked to social media profiles. For example, what you say about yourself, what you post in status updates, what pages you like and the links you share. I have seen a couple of bloggers leaving critical feedback about this move. But I have to say that I am one online user who thinks it was not only an expected move, but a good one.

How It Adds Up

Granted, this is really just a first step on what is sure to be a larger path. It won’t show what it is you are posting, but rather measure the influence of your profiles as a whole. For example, how often you post, the popularity of things you post and the feedback you gain from other users. From this information, it will calculate what they are calling a “Klout” score. The measurement will be between 1 and 100, showing how you communicate with others on the web. Which they hope will give insight into the user’s communication skills in general, as well as the sociability of their personality, their global connections and how they “listen and know how to react” to those around them.

How Well It Works

Based on this description, you might be a little skeptical as to its usefulness. I was at first, myself. But they matched thirty couples using Klout scores as an element to the selection. Then, they had them speak over the phone and determine their compatibility. There was a 90% reconnection rate, where they said they would like to speak again and perhaps meet. Which is a high figure for any dating site.

What Do You Think?

This is definitely a new way of approaching the online dating scene. How do you think it will work? Will a Klout score provide any kind of meaningful information for singles? Is it leading down a bad path, or one where it will be easier to find who you want? Let us know in the comments!

What Makes It Different

The real difference here is in how Tawkify is attempting to cut through the white lies of online dating. People often mislead others about their personality, interests, appearance and what they are looking for. Which is often the only way to get initial responses, thanks to the over saturation of interested parties in the singles market. With the Klout score, Tawkify hopes they will be able to determine compatibility based on every day personality factors. Which is why they have tapped into the readily available pool of social media for information.

What The Future Could Be

Dating sites are essentially social media profiles of their own accord. Which is why it is high time romance specific programs jumped on board and really took advantage. For example, greater connectivity to profiles like Facebook or Twitter, on a limited basis and totally under the user’s control, would be a great way of giving insight into who they are. You could opt into sharing statuses, details and limited profile views with those you invite through a dating site. I firmly believe that this leap is coming. It should also be a major improvement on how dating sites are handled today. Even with more successful, socially based websites like Plenty Of Fish. It would move things away from niche dating sites, and into a wider world of open communication, where we see our similarities and differences on a more honest scale.