Signaling as a Service

Re:Signaling as a Service by Spivak on Tuesday March 31, 2020 @10:05PM (#22744904)

I don't want to detract too much from the author's main point because Tinder's super likes are a form of signaling but they have the opposite effect the that the author (and Tinder themselves) makes it seem and it's a lot more interesting. Using super likes or paying for Tinder Plus/Gold is a signal of desperation and so people don't readily admit to it. The status signal on Tinder is not needing to pay and ultimately not needing to use Tinder at all.

It's such an odd dynamic but I'm thankful for it since it gives me more information about a guy.

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Re:Signaling as a Service by apdar on Wednesday April 01, 2020 @05:31AM (#22747027)

The author used Tinder as an example of “signal amplification”, in that, a method to reach more people.

So the signalling on Tinder is your profile - pictures and description, they monetise the ability to signal to more people. And, as you alluded to, they absolutely don’t make that action public since amplifying your signal on a dating app reeks of desperation.

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Re:Signaling as a Service by lifeisstillgood on Wednesday April 01, 2020 @02:17AM (#22746201)

Presumably Tinder would benefit then from a rating system (it may already have one - I am not in that social milieu).

If one wants to have Tinder Hot badge you need to go on five dates and be rated 5 stars for each. You would be signalling you are attractive and others think so. (I expect this is already done through some count or left / right swipe ratio)

(I can see that leading to some horrible coercion issues so I would oppose it but you get this idea)

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Re:Signaling as a Service by luckylion on Wednesday April 01, 2020 @05:50AM (#22747122)

> Using super likes or paying for Tinder Plus/Gold is a signal of desperation and so people don't readily admit to it.

This sounds like a random interpretation, it might just as well be seen as "dating is important enough for me that I'm happy to spend money on it".

People apparently get perceived value from super likes etc, so I have some doubts it actually hurts their chances.

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Re:Signaling as a Service by sneak on Wednesday April 01, 2020 @01:36AM (#22746019)

> Using super likes or paying for Tinder Plus/Gold is a signal of desperation and so people don't readily admit to it.

My personal experience (more than a few data points) suggests that that's not true. Tinder is full of boring, commodity thirst, and differentiation matters a lot.

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