About Social Media Today
Given the massive growth in traffic to online dating sites and it's Valentine's Day, it's not surprising that the New York Times has multiple articles on dating this weekend.
What is interesting is several of the articles focus on the growing role of data and analytics in the online dating process.
Looking for a Date? A Site Suggests You Check the Data reports on a relatively new online dating site started by "math guys" called OKCupid. They use statistical analysis to decipher what types of online profiles work best. From the article:
"If you’re a man, don’t smile in your profile picture, and don’t look into the camera. If you’re a woman, skip photos that focus on your physical assets and pick one that shows you vacationing in Brazil or strumming a guitar."
Three Steps to Demystifying Online Dating is written by the same reporter and provides data driven tips, techniques and advice on how to be a successful online dater. My favorite piece of advice:
"Honesty is the best policy, but within reason."
In the Calculations of Online Dating, Love Can be Cruel covers some of the negatives of online dating, but points to OKCupid and their statistical work as a way to improve things.
The article also points out a couple of emerging technologies and companies that are taking new approaches to online dating. The not so romantic sounding Grindr, for example, is an iPhone application that uses GPS technology to alert users of other Grindr members that are nearby.
OK, so the role of data and analytics in online dating may not be the most romantic topic for Valentine's Day. But since the rise of small business analytics is a trend we believe will have major impact over the next decade, it is worth looking at how it changing online dating.
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