---
title: How to use the Match Maker plugin
description: "The Match Maker plugin turns your app into a two-sided matching experience. You define two groups (called sides) — volunteers and organizations, mentors and mentees, candidates and employers — and build each side's profile form from a reusable field library and shared categories. Members browse the opposite side as swipeable cards, filter by the fields you choose, and like or pass. When two members like each other, it's a match: a match screen appears, the other member gets a push notification, both see the match in their shortlist, and — if you connect the Chat plugin — they can start a conversation."
---

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# How to use the Match Maker plugin

## The Match Maker plugin creates a two-sided matching experience inside your app. You define two member groups, build profile forms from a shared field library, and assign categories that both groups use.

#### **How to use the Match Maker plugin**

**Preview**

Connect two member groups, such as volunteers and organizations or mentors and mentees, through swipeable profiles, mutual matching, filters, and chat. Members create profiles, browse the opposite group, match with each other, and start conversations when chat is enabled.

**Overview**

The Match Maker plugin creates a two-sided matching experience inside your app. You define two member groups, build profile forms from a shared field library, and assign categories that both groups use.

Members browse the opposite group using swipeable profile cards, filter results based on the fields you configure, and like or pass on profiles. When two members like each other, they receive a match notification, the match is added to their shortlist, and they can begin a conversation if the Chat plugin is connected.

**Requirements**

Availability of this feature depends on your account configuration. If you do not see this option in your Control Panel, contact your account administrator.

Members must be signed in before they can use Match Maker.

Each member must have exactly one side tag assigned. You configure the two tags in the **Content** tab and assign them through your login flow, user management, or another plugin that applies tags.

The Chat plugin is only required if you want matched members to message each other.

---

How to set up the Match Maker plugin

1. Log in and go to **Builder**
2. Click **+** to open the Marketplace
3. Search for Match Maker and click **Add Plugin**
4. Name the plugin and click **Add**
5. Stay in the **Content** tab
6. Configure your two sides by entering a side name, assigning a user tag, and writing the introduction members see before creating their profile
7. Add shared categories that both sides can select while creating profiles 
     - Click Add Category
     - Enter a category name
     - Save the category
8. Build your reusable field library 
     - Click Add Field
     - Choose a field type such as text, long text, email, number, date, selection, link, or image upload
     - Configure the available options for selection fields, choose whether members can select one or multiple values, choose the display style, and optionally allow an Other option
9. Return to your sides and build each profile form 
     - Add sections to organize the profile
     - Add fields from the shared library
     - Drag fields into the desired order
     - Place the Categories block where members should select categories
     - Configure each field as Required, Show on card, or Filterable as needed
10. Click the **Design** tab. 
      - Customize the match screen with a background image, solid color, or gradient
      - Choose the match icon
11. Click the **Settings** tab. 
      - Select a Chat plugin instance if you want matched members to message each other
12. Click the **Security** tab. 
      - Keep Require Login enabled
      - Optionally restrict access by tag
13. Click the **Tagging** tab. 
      - Optionally apply a tag when members visit the feature
      - This tag is separate from the two side tags used for matching
14. Click the **Purchase** tab. 
      - Optionally require a purchase or subscription to access the feature
15. Click the **Analytics** tab. 
      - Review usage data, including views and matching activity
16. Click the **Language** tab. 
      - Rename labels, buttons, and messages shown throughout the experience
17. Click the **Layouts** tab. 
      - Optionally apply an available layout
18. Assign one side tag to every member using your login flow, user management, or another plugin that applies tags

 Pro tips

- Keep swipe cards easy to scan by showing only the information members need to make a decision. Cards display up to four details, and the Categories block uses two of those positions.
- Mark only the most useful fields as Filterable to keep the filter drawer simple.
- Member names and profile photos come from their app account automatically. Do not add name or photo fields to your profile forms.
- Use Required only for information that every profile must include.
- Rename labels in the **Language** tab to match the terminology used in your app.
- Pair Match Maker with Drip Notifications to encourage inactive members to return and continue matching.
- While working in the Control Panel, the emulator displays a live preview of the screen you are editing. Changes appear in the emulator immediately but are not visible to members until you save them.

 Troubleshooting tips

- If members see a message that the feature is not set up, complete the configuration for both sides in the **Content** tab.
- If a member sees a notice instead of the matching experience, verify that they have exactly one side tag assigned.
- If chat buttons do not appear, connect a Chat plugin instance in the **Settings** tab.
- If a field does not appear in filters, verify that it supports filtering and that Filterable is enabled.
- If a member's name or profile photo is incorrect, update the member's app account profile because those values are not managed by Match Maker.
- If push notifications are not arriving, confirm that the member has enabled notifications on their device.

**A note on member privacy**

Everything members enter into their Match Maker profile is visible to other members who browse profiles. Information may appear on swipe cards, full profiles, and in filters.

Unlike registration fields, Match Maker profile fields cannot be made private. Only request information that members are comfortable sharing publicly, and avoid collecting sensitive information such as government identification numbers, financial information, or home addresses.

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