posted on July 29, 2014 by Jaycie Cash

That Cupid’s Definitely NOT Okay

By Jaycie Cash

A sky with an angel and heart's with wingsThere was an interesting news report on MSN.com today: matchmaking website OKCupid has admitted to intentionally mismatching users to test its technology.

In other words, they told couples they were compatible when the algorithms the site uses to test these things actually indicated the opposite. By the same token, they informed other couples they were poor matches when, in fact, the company’s findings indicated they were compatible.

And why did they mess with people’s lives this way, you may well ask?

According to site co-founder Christian Rudder, because the tests helped the company refine its product and test its findings.

Guess what they discovered. . .

“When we tell people they are a good match, they act as if they are,” Rudder wrote in a blog post. “Even when they should be wrong for each other.” In addition, those who were falsely told they were bad matches were less likely to exchange as much as four messages with each other.

I’m guessing because they didn’t want to waste their time possibly developing feelings for someone who they’d been led to believe (by supposed experts, mind you) would make a poor life partner, at least for them.

Now, I’m no legal expert, but if this isn’t a form of fraud, I can’t imagine what is.

In its “About Us” section OKCupid has written “We use math to get you dates. It’s extremely accurate, as long as (a) you’re honest, and (b) you know what you want.”

I’d like to add (c) “And we don’t randomly choose to mess with your heart and your head.”

To quote Georgia Brown, “Ain’t nobody got time for that!”

Be warned: a spokeswoman for OKCupid has indicated the site plans to continue with these experiments.

So the lesson here for those who are thinking about venturing into the waters of online dating are: 1) don’t use OKCupid, whatever you do and 2) trust your own instincts about any potential mate you meet, however you meet them, no matter what anyone else says.

After all, you’re the ultimate keeper and expert when it comes to your own heart.

HOW ABOUT YOU? WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT OKCUPID HAS DONE? HAVE YOU EVER TRIED ONLINE DATING? WOULD YOU TRY IT NOW AT OKCUPID? A FREE COPY OF MY DEBUT NOVEL, MRS. GOODFELLER WILL BE RANDOMLY AWARDED TO ONE PERSON WHO LEAVES A COMMENT BELOW BEFORE THE NEXT WRITERSPACE BLOG IS POSTED.

jayciecash.com

6 thoughts on “That Cupid’s Definitely NOT Okay”

  1. April K says:

    I think its disgusting what they did as well as fraud! They advertise that they use math to find your perfect match then they purposely mislead people! I am happily married so of course i would not be looking for dates online but after hearing this i will warn any of my friends who are thinking of doing so.

    1. Jaycie says:

      I think that’s a great idea, April. I’m gonna do the same. It just disgusts me to see any group or organization treat people like they’re puppets without feelings or value. Appreciate you chiming in!

  2. cheryl c. says:

    My son actually met his current girlfriend at an online dating site. The jury is still out on whether the match-up worked.

    1. Jaycie says:

      I’ll keep my fingers crossed for them both, Cheryl. Thanks for sharing!

  3. ElizabethB says:

    I’ve found a husband (now ex) and 3 serious relationships from various online sites. I’m currently single, so that probably tells you how successful it’s really been. OKCupid was never one of the sites I used because I just had a feeling about them. At this point, I don’t know if that feeling was legit or if I should have listened to my gut about ALL online dating. LOL

    1. Jaycie says:

      Elizabeth, you had the guts to get out there and try. So, good for you. Glad you avoided OKCupid. Relationships are hard enough without being manipulated and toyed with by someone other than your significant other along the way! Best of luck with all your future endeavors.

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