Matchable FAQ

Here are some questions we've been getting a lot. Let us know if you agree with our answers, or if you've got a question that isn't answered here. We mean it.

1. Is there a website or just an email that gets sent out?

Right now because we're still just starting out, and we've decided to keep it as simple as possible, we just send out an email once a week. We've found that it's enough to facilitate awesome meetups. This way it comes to you, and all you have to do is click on a person who seems interesting to you.

2. What information is shown about me?

We show your picture (either your Facebook profile picture or a different picture of your choosing -- up to you), your age, and where you went to school. That's it.

3. Who can see this information?

The only people viewing you are the people you yourself are viewing. We send this information, once a week, to the 3 matchables that you'll see in the email you yourself get. These are people that we feel would be a good match for you based on likes, school, work etc, and in the future based on the people that our algorithm sees you've chosen.

4. Does the matching occur through an algorithm or just from the matchable folks going through pictures and profiles?

We put together a basic algorithm that remembers which matchable you pick and compares your choices with those of others who picked similar matchables, to help suggest better matches for you. It's very basic. For the early kind of testing stage we're in, we're helping it by going through profiles and adding some human intelligence to the mix. We'll be improving the algorithm with the goal being that it will do all the matching and get significantly better each time it suggests matches.

5. Why do I need to pay for a drink up front (and not when I get there)?

The idea behind it is that 1) it helps make sure that both parties show up since they've already paid. 2) both parties pay instead of the guy feeling like he has to pay and the girl then feeling obligated to be nice or stay for another drink. 3) it's kind of nice to get somewhere and not be handed a bill at the end, feels special.