Do you know that creepy feeling you get when someone you can't see is staring at you? This feeling might be worse. A recent Fast Company article tells us that everyone using Tinder gets a hidden "desirability" score based on an algorithm made up of "a lot of factors." Of course, most of those factors are secret.
The article suggests that the rating is partly from how well you match traits that convince people to give out the holy swipe right. That could mean that you have a fully filled-out profile with an eye-catching photo. If you have that kind of profile you'll be perceived as more "desirable" than someone with only a few lines of information and a "boring" profile photo. Another factor that helps how you fare on Tinder is who picks you. If one of the power users likes you, then your chances of getting other "desirable" matches goes up significantly.
Most likely in efforts to not sound terrible, Tinder is quick to point out that a high "desirability" score doesn't mean anything outside of the app. It doesn't mean that you're actually more desirable than Joe is being because your Tinder bio is more punchy and fun than Joe's.
The purpose of the "desirability" score is understandable - a dating app needs a way to find the most appropriate matchups. But it leaves me wondering if people are missing out on the great and unexpected matches that happen elsewhere. Matches that fall outside of the Tinder definition of desirable. And as more and more people figure out how to play Tinder to get a high "desirability" score, it won't be a plus anymore. There will be a sea of "desirables" and that sounds boring.
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