How to Use Match & Connect for Guest Networking

Match & Connect turns your event into a networking or matchmaking experience. Guests create profiles, swipe through other attendees, and when two people like each other, their contact information is revealed. It's a fun, Tinder-style way to spark connections at weddings, networking events, singles parties, and more.

Perfect For

• Singles matching at weddings - Help single guests meet each other
• Networking events - Professional connections made easy
• Festivals & parties - Social discovery for attendees
• Galas & balls - Elegant way to facilitate introductions
• Corporate events - Team building and cross-department networking

How It Works

1. Share the link - Give guests the Match & Connect link or display it at your venue
2. Guests create profiles - They add photos, bio, interests, and social handles
3. Swipe to match - Guests swipe right to like or left to skip other profiles
4. Mutual matches revealed - When two people like each other, they can see each other's social handles to connect

Getting Started

Step 1: Purchase the Add-On

Match & Connect is available as an add-on for your event.

1. From your event dashboard, scroll to the Match & Connect card
2. Click "Get Match & Connect"
3. Complete the purchase

Step 2: Activate the Feature

Once purchased, you need to activate Match & Connect:

1. Return to the Match & Connect card on your dashboard
2. Click "Start Match & Connect"
3. The guest link becomes active and ready to share

Note: You must start your event before activating Match & Connect.

Step 3: Share with Guests

Once activated, you'll see two options:

• Copy Link - Copy the URL to share via text, email, or social media
• Open - Preview the experience to see what guests will see

Customization Options

Match & Connect offers two powerful customization features to help you tailor the experience for your event.

Custom Short URL

Instead of sharing a long URL with your event ID, create a memorable short link that's easy to share and remember.

How to set up:

1. In the Match & Connect card, find the Settings section
2. Look for Custom Short URL
3. Enter your preferred code (e.g., "PARTY2026" or "JOHN-SARAH-WEDDING")
4. The system will check availability as you type
5. Once saved, guests can access your event at fotify.app/mc/YOUR-CODE

Tips for short URLs:

• Keep it memorable and easy to type
• Use the couple's names for weddings (e.g., "MIKE-AND-LISA")
• Use the event name for corporate events (e.g., "SUMMIT2026")
• Codes are case-insensitive (guests can type in any case)
• Only letters, numbers, and hyphens are allowed
• Must be at least 3 characters

Custom Feature Name

Some event audiences may prefer a different name for the feature. You can rename "Match & Connect" to something more appropriate for your event.

Common alternatives:

• "Network & Connect" - Great for professional events
• "Social Connect" - Friendly and casual
• "Guest Connect" - Simple and neutral
• "Meet & Greet" - Welcoming for social events

How to change:

1. In the Match & Connect card, find Settings
2. Look for Feature Display Name
3. Enter your preferred name
4. This name will be shown to guests instead of "Match & Connect"

This is especially helpful for conservative regions or formal events where a different phrasing may be more appropriate.

Invite-Only Mode

For more control over who can participate, enable Invite-Only Access:

1. In the Match & Connect card, find the "Invite-Only Access" toggle
2. Enable it to require approval for new registrations

When invite-only is enabled:

• Guests on your RSVP list are automatically approved
• Guests with a valid access code are automatically approved
• Guests with preapproved emails (uploaded via CSV) are automatically approved
• All other guests require your manual approval

This is perfect for private events where you want to control who participates in the matching experience.

Access Codes

Access codes let you give specific guests instant access without needing manual approval. Perfect for VIPs, special groups, or pre-approved attendees.

Creating Access Codes

1. Enable Invite-Only Access first (access codes only appear in invite-only mode)
2. Click the Access Codes section to expand it
3. Click the + button to generate codes

Code Options

When generating codes, you can configure:

• Single or Bulk - Create one code or multiple at once
• Label - Optional name like "VIP Guests" or "Team Alpha" (for single codes)
• Prefix - Optional prefix for bulk codes (e.g., "VIP" creates codes like "VIP-A2X9K")
• Max Uses - Single use, multiple uses, or unlimited
• Expiration - Never expires or set a custom date

Managing Codes

Each code shows:

• The code itself (click to copy)
• Usage count (e.g., "3/10" means 3 of 10 uses consumed)
• Status badges (Active, Expired, Maxed Out, or Deactivated)
• Expiration date

You can deactivate any code at any time by clicking the X button. Deactivated codes can no longer be used.

Distributing Codes

Share codes with guests via:

• Print them on VIP tickets or invitations
• Send directly via email or text message
• Include in confirmation emails for specific guest groups
• Share verbally at check-in for last-minute VIPs

Tip: Create different codes for different groups (e.g., "BRIDE-FRIENDS", "GROOM-FAMILY") to track where guests are coming from.

Preapproved Emails

If you already have email addresses that should be automatically approved, you can add them manually one by one or upload a CSV file in bulk. This is especially useful when you have a guest list or want to sync with your existing registration system.

Adding Emails Manually

1. Enable Invite-Only Access first (preapproved emails only appear in invite-only mode)
2. Click the Preapproved Emails section to expand it
3. Type an email address in the input field
4. Click the + button or press Enter to add it
5. The email is instantly added to your preapproved list

Uploading a CSV

For bulk imports:

1. Click the upload icon next to the section header
2. Select a CSV file containing email addresses
3. The file should contain email addresses - one per line or comma-separated

CSV Format

The upload accepts flexible formats:

john@example.com
jane@example.com
mike@example.com

Or comma-separated:

john@example.com, jane@example.com, mike@example.com

Upload Results

After uploading, you'll see a summary showing:

• Added - New emails that were successfully added
• Duplicates - Emails that were already in the list (skipped)
• Invalid - Entries that weren't valid email addresses (skipped)

Managing Preapproved Emails

• The section header shows the total count of preapproved emails
• Click "Clear All" to remove all preapproved emails at once
• You can upload multiple CSV files to add more emails over time

How It Works

When a guest registers with an email that's on your preapproved list, they're automatically approved - no manual intervention needed. This happens in addition to the RSVP list check, so guests are approved if they're on either list.

Tip: Export your RSVP list from your event planning software and upload it here to ensure all confirmed guests get instant access.

Managing Registered Users

The Registered Users section shows everyone who has created a Match & Connect profile.

Viewing Users

Click the section header to expand and see all registered users with:

• Email address
• Display name
• Registration date
• RSVP status (if invite-only)
• Approval status

Filtering & Searching

• Search - Find users by email or name
• Filter tabs - View All, Approved, Pending, or Banned users
• Sort - By email, name, or registration date

User Actions

Depending on their status, you can:

• Pending users: Approve or Reject
• Approved users: Ban (if needed)
• Banned users: Unban to restore access

Exporting Data

Click the download icon to export all registered users as a CSV file. Useful for:

• Post-event follow-up
• Tracking participation
• Integration with other systems

What Guests Experience

Creating a Profile

When guests visit the Match & Connect link, they:

1. Sign in with Google or email
2. Create their profile with:
   • Up to 3 photos (first photo is primary)
   • Display name
   • Gender and who they're interested in
   • Short bio (80 characters)
   • Up to 5 interests
   • At least one social handle (Instagram, LinkedIn, or WhatsApp)

Using an Access Code

If a guest has an access code:

1. They'll see "Have an access code?" at the bottom of the profile form
2. Clicking reveals an input field
3. After entering a valid code, they see a green checkmark
4. When they submit their profile, they're instantly approved

Swiping & Matching

Once approved, guests can:

• Swipe right or tap the heart to like someone
• Swipe left or tap X to skip
• Tap the undo button to go back to the previous profile
• Refresh to check for new profiles

Viewing Matches

When two guests like each other:

• Both receive a "It's a Match!" notification
• They can view each other's social handles
• They can connect outside the app via Instagram, LinkedIn, or WhatsApp

Tracking Engagement

The Match & Connect card displays real-time metrics:

• Profiles - Total registered users
• Matches - Number of mutual matches
• Engagement - Percentage of active participants

Use these metrics to gauge participation and encourage more guests to join if needed.

Privacy & Data

Match & Connect is designed with privacy in mind:

• Social handles only shown to matches - Contact info is hidden until mutual interest
• Data deleted after event - All profiles and match data are automatically removed when your event ends
• User control - Guests can edit their profiles at any time

Tips for Success

• Announce it - Have the MC or host encourage guests to join Match & Connect
• Display the link - Show the QR code or link on screens around the venue
• Use access codes strategically - Give VIP codes to special guests or wedding party members
• Upload preapproved emails - If you have a guest list, upload it as CSV so confirmed attendees get instant access
• Start early - Activate before the event so guests can create profiles during cocktail hour
• Brief your team - Make sure staff know how to help guests who have questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I enable Match & Connect for my event? A: Match & Connect is available as a paid add-on. Go to your event dashboard, find the Match & Connect card, and click "Get Match & Connect" to purchase. Then click "Start Match & Connect" to activate.

Q: Do guests need to download an app? A: No! Guests access Match & Connect through their mobile browser. They just visit the link or scan a QR code - no app download required.

Q: What's the difference between invite-only and open access? A: With open access, anyone with the link can join immediately. With invite-only enabled, guests need to be on your RSVP list, have a valid access code, or be manually approved by you.

Q: How do access codes work? A: Access codes let specific guests bypass the approval process. Generate codes from the dashboard, share them with your VIP guests, and they'll get instant access when they create their profile using that code.

Q: Can I create different codes for different groups? A: Yes! Create separate codes with different labels (like "VIP Guests" or "Team Alpha") to track which groups are participating. Each code has its own usage limits and expiration.

Q: What if a guest doesn't have an access code in invite-only mode? A: They can still register, but their profile will be pending until you manually approve them from the Registered Users section.

Q: Can guests change their profile after creating it? A: Yes, guests can edit their profile, update photos, and change their information at any time from the app header menu.

Q: When is contact information revealed? A: Social handles are only revealed when two guests mutually like each other. Until then, profiles show photos, name, bio, and interests - but not contact details.

Q: What happens to the data after my event ends? A: All Match & Connect profiles, swipes, and match data are automatically deleted when your event ends. This protects guest privacy.

Q: Can I see who matched with whom? A: Currently, you can see total match count but not individual matches. This protects guest privacy while still giving you engagement metrics.

Q: Is there a limit to how many people can join? A: There's no hard limit on participants. Match & Connect scales to support events of any size.

Q: Can I use Match & Connect for professional networking events? A: Absolutely! It works great for corporate events, conferences, and networking mixers. Guests can share their LinkedIn profiles for professional connections.

Q: What social platforms can guests share? A: Guests can add their Instagram username, LinkedIn profile, and/or WhatsApp number. At least one is required so matches can connect.

Q: Can I deactivate an access code after sharing it? A: Yes, you can deactivate any code at any time. Once deactivated, the code cannot be used for new registrations, but existing users who used that code are not affected.

Q: Do access codes expire? A: By default, codes never expire. However, you can set a custom expiration date when creating a code. Expired codes cannot be used.

Q: Can multiple people use the same access code? A: That depends on how you configure the code. Single-use codes work once, while multi-use or unlimited codes can be used by multiple guests.

Q: What if I need to remove someone from Match & Connect? A: Go to Registered Users, find the person, and click the ban button. Banned users can no longer participate in matching.

Q: Can I create a custom short URL for easier sharing? A: Yes! Instead of sharing the long event URL, you can create a memorable short link like "fotify.app/mc/PARTY2026". Just go to Settings in the Match & Connect card and enter your preferred code.

Q: What rules apply to custom short URLs? A: Short codes must be at least 3 characters, can only contain letters, numbers, and hyphens, and must start and end with a letter or number. They're case-insensitive, so guests can type them in any case.

Q: Can I change the name "Match & Connect" to something else? A: Yes! You can set a custom display name in the Settings section. This is useful for professional networking events (like "Network & Connect") or for conservative audiences who may prefer different wording.

Q: Does changing the feature name affect anything else? A: The custom name is only what guests see. All the functionality remains the same. It's purely a display preference for your event.

Q: How do preapproved emails work? A: You can add email addresses manually or upload a CSV file. When guests register with those emails, they're automatically approved without needing an access code or manual approval.

Q: Can I add preapproved emails one at a time? A: Yes! In the Preapproved Emails section, type an email address and click the + button or press Enter to add it instantly.

Q: What format should my preapproved emails CSV be in? A: The upload is flexible - you can have one email per line, or comma-separated emails. The system will skip invalid email formats and duplicates.

Q: What's the difference between access codes and preapproved emails? A: Access codes are shareable codes that any guest can use (like "VIP2026"). Preapproved emails are specific - only the guest with that exact email address gets auto-approved. Use access codes for groups and preapproved emails for specific individuals.

Q: Is there a limit to how many emails I can upload? A: You can upload up to 10,000 emails per upload. For larger lists, you can upload multiple CSV files.

Q: Can I clear the preapproved email list? A: Yes, click "Clear All" in the Preapproved Emails section to remove all emails at once. This doesn't affect guests who already registered - it only affects future registrations.

Q: Do preapproved emails work with the RSVP list? A: Yes, both work together. Guests are auto-approved if they're on your RSVP list OR in your preapproved emails list OR have a valid access code.