Dr Steve Carter, chief scientist at eHarmony, talks about the company’s use of algorithms and memes to make real-world dating more successful

There’s no shortage of articles about how apps are eroding intimacy and leading us all to a seedy buffet of soulless right-swipes. But what about ways emerging tech is actually trying to make it easier for us to find the person out there who’s right for us? Can you reliably have a first date with someone based on the fact that they like the same memes as you?



Leigh Alexander and Elena Cresci asked eHarmony’s chief scientist, Dr Steve Carter, how the online dating service is using algorithms and huge volumes of survey data to cultivate relationships with better chances of long term success.

