Dating site uses literary tastes for matchmaking

Romantic compatibility is notoriously difficult to predict, making it fertile ground for dating approaches based on everything from “Attraction Tickets” to DNA analysis. One that recently showed up on our radar, however, is New York-based Alikewise, a site that helps potential couples connect based on the similarity of their literary preferences. Users begin on Alikewise by creating a free profile including not just the type of romantic partner they’re seeking but also some of their favourite books, including for each a sentence or two describing why they like it so much. A link gets included for each book to help interested viewers buy it on Amazon. Users can also include a physical description of themselves along with a photo and a summary of their personal story. Other members of the site can then view each other’s profiles; when they see a similarity worth pursuing, they can send the person in question a message or — appropriately — suggest a book to them. Either way, they can pursue the potential match further, if both sides are interested. Since its launch in July, Alikewise has already attracted more than 4,000 users, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. It currently serves consumers in the US, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the Netherlands and Israel, but it aims to keep expanding. Pricing, meanwhile, is currently free, though the company may ultimately begin charging for some features. One to partner with toward either — or both — ends? Spotted by: Globe & Mail via Parul Rohatgi