Match Made is Shortlist's complete guide to dating with intention — built from hundreds of real matchmaking conversations, backed by research, and written in the same direct, no-nonsense voice you know from Shortlist.
Inside, you'll find straight answers to the questions that actually come up: How do dating apps really work, and what are they doing to your odds? What's the difference between a non-negotiable and a preference? How do you know if it's love bombing or genuine interest? When do you raise the exclusivity conversation — and how? And how do you know when it's time to call it?
Whether you're on the apps, working with a matchmaker, or just trying to date better in general, this guide is designed to be used, not just read.
What's inside:
Getting clear on what you actually want (and why most people never do)
Knowing your love language, with a link to take the quiz
How dating apps actually work — the algorithm, the tricks, what paying really buys you
Good questions to ask before you meet
Messaging without becoming pen pals
Why photos tell you almost nothing about compatibility
Reading the early signs: red flags, green flags, and telling real interest from a good performance
Setting a brief for your matchmaker (or yourself)
The power of therapy and self-reflection before you start dating
Non-negotiables vs preferences — and how to tell the difference
Navigating age gaps, backed by the research
Considering relationships with children
The fun of blind dates, and how to make the most of one
How to approach someone in person, without the cheesy lines
What actually makes a great date (it's not the venue)
Planning ideas that reveal who someone really is
Getting past the first date
Healthy boundaries and routines for a new relationship
The important conversations to have — and when
How to have hard conversations without it turning into a fight
Knowing when to call it
Match Made is Shortlist's complete guide to dating with intention — built from hundreds of real matchmaking conversations, backed by research, and written in the same direct, no-nonsense voice you know from Shortlist.
Inside, you'll find straight answers to the questions that actually come up: How do dating apps really work, and what are they doing to your odds? What's the difference between a non-negotiable and a preference? How do you know if it's love bombing or genuine interest? When do you raise the exclusivity conversation — and how? And how do you know when it's time to call it?
Whether you're on the apps, working with a matchmaker, or just trying to date better in general, this guide is designed to be used, not just read.
What's inside:
Getting clear on what you actually want (and why most people never do)
Knowing your love language, with a link to take the quiz
How dating apps actually work — the algorithm, the tricks, what paying really buys you
Good questions to ask before you meet
Messaging without becoming pen pals
Why photos tell you almost nothing about compatibility
Reading the early signs: red flags, green flags, and telling real interest from a good performance
Setting a brief for your matchmaker (or yourself)
The power of therapy and self-reflection before you start dating
Non-negotiables vs preferences — and how to tell the difference
Navigating age gaps, backed by the research
Considering relationships with children
The fun of blind dates, and how to make the most of one
How to approach someone in person, without the cheesy lines
What actually makes a great date (it's not the venue)
Planning ideas that reveal who someone really is
Getting past the first date
Healthy boundaries and routines for a new relationship
The important conversations to have — and when
How to have hard conversations without it turning into a fight
Knowing when to call it
