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Online Dating Sites Seek Love's Secret Algorithm
Peer review of jealously guarded formulas proves impossible
By Kevin Spak
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Posted Jan 29, 08 3:10 PM CST
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(Newser)
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Online matchmakers eHarmony and Match.com have staked millions on the idea that they, not you, can best find your perfect match, thanks to their secret algorithms. So do they work? Lots of academics want to know, the New York Times reports, but while the companies yearn for scientific, peer-reviewed findings, they’re reluctant to release their secret formulas.
Each formula was devised by a sociologist or psychologist, and eHarmony has hired more to fine-tune the procedure. eHarmony, which plans to at least release research on its results, claims 2% of last year’s US marriages were eHarmony couples. That’s probably better than pick-your-own-date sites, where fewer than 1% of profile views turn into dates.