Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/284314 
Year of Publication: 
2023
Series/Report no.: 
Working Paper No. 964
Publisher: 
Queen Mary University of London, School of Economics and Finance, London
Abstract: 
Congestion is a widespread phenomenon in two-sided markets, but evidence on its costs and benefits is limited. Using data from an online dating platform, we document a large excess demand, or congestion, for some women. By exploiting exogenous variation in the number of men and women using the platform, we show that congestion slows down matching time for men. Congestion benefits women who screen men's profiles quickly, by increasing their choice set. This asymmetry implies that policies aimed at reducing congestion can harm the side of the market that benefits from congestion.
Subjects: 
Congestion
two-sided markets
online platforms
JEL: 
D4
D47
D62
D83
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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