eHarmony Blog.com

eHarmony launches a new Match Setting feature this morning, 9 August 2006, called “Match Flexibility.” Read part 1.

U-Haul, anyone?

OK, here’s the review.

Would you be willing to relocate if you found the right person? Yes Maybe No

Would you be willing to be matched with someone who is willing to relocate for the right person? Yes Maybe No

Like the Want Kids? Match Setting, Maybe is just a half-assed Yes. So how do you think this setting works?

In its simplest sense, this may just be mutual matching – where any combination is matched except “No/No”. (I mean, you only need one willing to relocate, right?)

If it is that simple then this Match Setting is ridiculous! Consider this: A and B live next door to each other and both of them don’t want to relocate. Both will die alone!

If it’s more complex, I’d imagine that saying “yes, I’m willing to be matched to a relocator” will be more useful. It’ll turn off half of the distance matching algorithm: You will get matches outside your search area from people willing to search in yours. In other words, if you’re willing to relocate and you search “Anywhere in the world!”, you’ll get matches from Zimbabwe — but don’t expect her to travel to see you.

That will be interesting. I personally don’t mind relocating within my search area. My matches can stay put and I’ll just move there. If I’m right, I won’t need the “Match Circuit” trick anymore.

Summary: Never choose No to the second question. Choose Yes to the first if you’re willing to move. If you say Yes to the first, you’ll be matched against thousands more people.

I’ll see in a few days how this setting ticks. It’s still not in the help file. eH will probably announce it in the newsletter.

(Next: Part 3: You said you didn’t match on height or income — You eHarmony liars!)