Mr. Right or Mr. Best: The Role of Information Under Preference Mismatch in Online Dating.

This article investigates the role of information disclosure in two-sided matching markets, focusing on the impact of preference mismatch—where the preferences of the two sides differ—on matching outcomes. Using empirical data from a large Chinese online dating platform, the study finds that providing less match-relevant information (partial profiles) to users leads to better matching outcomes than providing complete information (long profiles), a phenomenon termed the "less information is more" effect. This occurs because more information intensifies preference mismatch, causing users to select candidates less likely to reciprocate, thereby reducing successful matches. The findings have broader implications for information design strategies on decentralized matching platforms like Tinder, Airbnb, and Upwork, suggesting an optimal, context-dependent amount of information should be provided to improve match rates while considering communication costs and bargaining power.