I think for marketplace businesses, and when you think about online dating, it's not a social network. It's not a place where you go to talk to people you already know; it's a place you go to interact with someone you've never met before.

Sam Yagan’s quote, "I think for marketplace businesses, and when you think about online dating, it's not a social network. It's not a place where you go to talk to people you already know; it's a place you go to interact with someone you've never met before," draws a distinction between online dating and traditional social networks. Yagan emphasizes that while social networks like Facebook or Instagram are platforms for engaging with people you already know, online dating is a platform designed for connecting with strangers in the pursuit of romantic relationships. This differentiation highlights how online dating platforms function more as a marketplace for potential relationships rather than as a space for maintaining established social ties.

The phrase "marketplace businesses" suggests that online dating operates like a service where individuals can explore various options, interact, and potentially find a match. Unlike social networks, where interactions are based on existing relationships, online dating offers the opportunity to meet new people, often with specific goals or intentions in mind, such as dating or finding a partner. Yagan's point is that the dynamic of these platforms is different, focusing on discovery and interaction with new individuals.

The origin of the quote can be tied to Yagan’s background in the tech and dating industries. As a co-founder of OkCupid, an influential online dating platform, Yagan has firsthand experience with how these platforms operate and the needs of their users. His perspective reflects the unique characteristics of online dating compared to other forms of digital interaction, such as social networking, where the focus is often on maintaining existing relationships.

Ultimately, Yagan’s statement highlights the distinctive nature of online dating platforms, emphasizing how they cater to users looking to form new connections rather than interact with familiar faces. This distinction is important for understanding the evolution of online platforms and how they cater to specific needs, such as finding romantic partners, rather than socializing with those you already know.