OK Cupid: a Picture is Worth a Thousand W̶o̶r̶d̶s̶ Matches

Here is the article:
http://blog.okcupid.com/index.php/we-experiment-on-human-beings/

OK Cupid is a popular online dating site that often draws a lot of critics and skeptics. Why? OK Cupid uses math to find love. On OK Cupid, a user answers as many (seemingly) random questions as they want. Then, a mathematical algorithm, designed by the Harvard graduates that designed the site, determines their perfect matches. Many people are resistant towards the idea that numbers and statistics can define them. However, OK Cupid also lets users post and view pictures of their matches. But should they?

The question is a complicated one to answer. It all depends on the goals of the users. OK Cupid is probably more used to find relationships than one nights stands. Usually, OK Cupid users look for something long term. This is why they go through the trouble of using data to match people's personalities. It is also in stark contrast to something like Tinder, which is usually for more casual romantic episodes. Of course, looks are an important part of a relationship, but what effect does looks have on matches and dates?

OK Cupid had the idea to make an app to set up blind dates. When they released the app, they celebrated "love is blind day" by removing all profile pictures from their website. They were interested in any patterns that the data would show. What they found was quite intriguing.

People did not use OK Cupid as much as normal that day, but the people that did use it were in for a pleasant surprise. Positive effects had occurred from the blind matches, such as:
a) Users sent a response 44% more often then they usually did
b) The online conversations were deeper
and
c) Contact information was relayed quicker.

Many people may here this and think that some were unpleasantly surprised by the appearance of people that they met without seeing their appearance. However, this was also not the case. The OK Cupid people retrieved the data from their blind date app. The data was based on offline feedback that a user gave after the date. The results were again interesting. The data showed that experiences were positive, no matter how attractive the person was. In fact, their was a slight inverse effect, meaning that the more attractive a person was, the worse the reported experience was!

Often, when looking for a partner, we do exactly that: look. We may not learn about a person's thoughts or personality because we may not talk to people that we do not find particularly attractive. However, when these barriers are knocked down, you find a different starting point. You meet the person first, then see them. And if you get along enough, it won't even matter how the person looks.