Adverse Selection in Dating and Job Markets: The Hidden Costs of Easy Filtering

In this episode, we discuss the hidden pitfalls of modern dating apps and job search platforms. We explore how the necessity of filtering large pools of candidates, combined with the limitations of relying on easily legible traits, can lead to counterintuitive outcomes.

We discuss:

• Why the traits easiest to filter for aren't always the most important

• How correlated preferences among users amplify filtering effects

• The composition of candidate pools and why being in the pool longer isn't always a good sign

• The paradox of how stringent filtering can lead to lower-quality matches

• Strategies for navigating these challenges in both dating and job searches