OkCupid

OkCupid operates as an internationally recognized online dating and social networking platform. It was established in 2004 by a team of four Harvard University students: Chris Coyne, Christian Rudder, Sam Yagan, and Max Krohn. This founding group had previously gained acclaim for creating TheSpark.com, an educational resource site that later became SparkNotes. The sale of SparkNotes to Barnes & Noble in 2001 provided the impetus for the founders to concentrate on developing OkCupid, which originated from a feature on TheSpark called SparkMatch.

The company's core business revolves around a data-centric approach to matchmaking. Its platform is built on a proprietary algorithm that uses user-generated data from thousands of multiple-choice questions to calculate compatibility scores between members. Users answer questions about their lifestyles, beliefs, and preferences, indicating how they would want a potential partner to answer and the importance of each question. This methodology differentiates the service within the crowded online dating market by focusing on deeper personality alignment over superficial criteria.

OkCupid employs a freemium business model. The base platform is free to use, allowing users to create profiles, answer questions, view matches, and communicate with those they've mutually liked. Revenue is generated primarily through a multi-tiered subscription service and a la carte features. The subscription plans, formerly known as "A-List" and now tiered as "Basic" and "Premium," offer enhanced functionalities such as sending unlimited 'Likes', setting strict 'Dealbreaker' preferences, removing ads, and seeing who has 'Liked' their profile before they reciprocate. Additional revenue streams include 'Boosts' and 'SuperLikes', which increase a user's profile visibility to potential matches for a fee.

In February 2011, OkCupid was acquired by IAC's Match.com division (now Match Group) for a reported $50 million, joining a portfolio that includes other major dating platforms like Tinder and Hinge. This acquisition placed OkCupid within a larger corporate structure while allowing it to leverage the resources of a market leader. The platform continues to serve a global user base, with a significant demographic in the early 30s to mid-40s, offering an inclusive space with expansive gender and orientation options.

Keywords: online dating, matchmaking, freemium model, subscription service, social networking, data analytics, compatibility algorithm, user-generated data, relationship service, mobile application