Researchers have discovered the online love formula.
The services "online matchmaking" claim to know the magic recipe of finding the ideal partner for each of their users. Scientists have been studying for years whether this is actually possible.
According to a survey conducted by 2012 from Northwestern University, psychologist Elli Finkel argued that there is no algorithm that can successfully predict our ideal mate. With this conclusion the psychologist strongly opposed the allegations of "mating operations".
Researchers have found that these web sites "can not know how two comrades will evolve over time and how the dynamics of their attraction will promote a long-lasting relationship."
The question raised in the Kang Zao scientific team was whether the problem lies in the fact that these web sites have not yet found the appropriate mathematical formula.
A team of researchers led by Khao Zao from Iowa University claims to have discovered the method that maximizes the chances of a successful online mating.
The new formula is of great interest since it is based on technology that has been used by successful online companies businesses, like the Amazon and Netfix. It is based on the user's wishes and not on profiles filled by "love hunters" which may be inaccurate. "What we did in our research was that we relied on user activity rather than what they say in their personal profiles," Kang Zhao says. According to the researcher "activity reflects attractiveness".
This technique is known as "combined filtering" and is already used by advertising companies, while the use of this formula in "mating" companies is under discussion.
The research will be published in 2014 in the IEEE scientific journal Intelligent Systems journal. "Whether the ideal match for someone will be found, I don't know, but what we can definitely achieve is a successful date," says Cang Zhao.
Increased interest in online dating
According to the Pew Research Center, 11% (and 9% of American adults) of Internet users say they have entered an online dating site. This percentage shows a large increase only since 2008, when the percentage of Americans reached only 3%. As many as 66% of internet users have dated someone they met on services they use, while 23% of couples who have met on "dating" sites have gotten married or started a long-term relationship.
Source: kathimerini.gr
