In our continuing effort to increase the nation’s happiness, we are taking on two more Tinder questions from our inbox. Namely, does Tinder limit the amount of matches you can have and what is the Tinder ELO score all about?
As we have been extending our coverage of Tinder and Bumble, the number of emails and questions has increased. We will do our best to answer as many as possible in articles, so keep an eye on TechJunkie for regular Tinder updates!
I happen to like Tinder. Even though I no longer use it to find love, I like how it has leveled the playing field somewhat in dating. It has given women more power and has forced men to change tactics to be successful.
I like anything that adds a new dimension to an existing pastime and challenges all of us to continue improving. Sure, swiping gets old fast but it involves a lot less effort than dressing up and going to the local bar!
Does Tinder limit the amount of matches you can have?
As far as I can tell, Tinder does limit swipes and likes unless you subscribe but does not limit the number of matches you can have. You will naturally be limited by swipes unless you subscribe to Tinder Plus and will also be limited by your pool of prospects but I have found no evidence of artificial limits on the number of matches you can have in the app.
Your success on Tinder has more to do with where you live, how many users are in your vicinity and the quality of your pics and bio. TechJunkie has covered getting more matches in other posts if you think you can perform better.
I have seen screenshots of Tinder users with over a thousand matches so I do not think there are limits to the amount of matches you can have.
What is the Tinder ELO score all about?
There is apparently a not-so secret algorithm that Tinder uses called the ELO score. This is made up of several factors including whether you’re a new user or not, your attractiveness scale, how many left or right swipes you get and some other stuff. In turn, your ELO score allegedly influences how hot the cards you are shown are and where in the stack your own card lands.
There is no concrete evidence of all of this but a lot of people have done a lot of work to find out about ELO. So while this answer is as accurate as possible, it is unverified so do with that what you will.
What do we think makes up your ELO score?
The ‘noob boost’
This is the baited hook designed to get you subscribing to Tinder Plus or Gold. It is an artificial boost that gets you high in the stack and exposed to more potential matches. The idea is to give you some initial success that keeps you coming back for more. Just how much you are boosted is still up for debate but the fact that there is one is no longer debated.
The attractiveness scale
There is apparently an attractiveness scale that is described as a score between 1 and 10 even if it isn’t exactly that. Your profile is given a score depending on how many people swipe on you and in what direction. Your images are also apparently judged using an algorithm similar to Photofeeler’s.
There is also thought that the attractiveness rating of those who swipe on you influences your ELO score. Get swiped right by 10s and your own score increases. Get swiped on mostly by 3s and it will decrease.
Site use and feedback
According to some, what you do when you get a match also contributes to your ELO score on Tinder. If you get a match and don’t message, this counts against you. If you do message, this works for you. It is thought to tie into how many left or right swipes you get and what percentage you swipe left or right.
There is a belief that ELO is also influenced by your pickiness. Swipe right on everyone and your score will go down. Swipe right on only a percentage and it should either stay the same or increase. One reason to not just swipe right on everyone you see!
Remember, all this about the ELO score is unofficial and unconfirmed. Yet a lot of testing has been done over the years to see if any of this is true. While no quantitative data is available, anecdotally people who tested believe this is how the score works.
