Matchups automatically connect members of your community, pairing or grouping them based on the pools you define. Members opt in on their own, and Heartbeat handles the rest.
In this guide
- Manage opt-ins
- Configure matchmaking settings
- Review messaging
- Confirm and send
- Stop matchups
- Frequently Asked Questions
Manage opt-ins
Before running matchups, make sure the right members are opted in. Adding a group to your matchmaking pool doesn't automatically opt those members in. Instead, it gives them the option to opt in themselves. Each member must individually opt in to participate.
On mobile, members will see a prompt to join automated matchups. On desktop or browser, we recommend setting up a workflow to send a pop-up, DM, or notification to the members you'd like to invite.
Configure matchmaking settings
Group size: Choose groups of two or three. If you select three, Heartbeat will create as many groups of three as possible, with any remaining members placed into groups of two.
Allow repeats: Choose whether members can be matched with someone they've already met in a previous round. Toggle on Disable Repeats to prevent this.
Matchmaking pools: Pools define which members get matched together. Build a pool by combining any Heartbeat groups you choose, and Heartbeat will automatically connect everyone within that pool.
Review messaging
Review and adjust the messages members will receive about their matchups. Make sure the tone and content fit your community before moving on.
You can also click on "Use Template" to fill in your Match-up email or ask Pulse to create one for you!
Confirm and send
Once you're happy with your settings, confirm and send.
- To run matchups on a schedule: make sure Recurring Schedule is on, choose a Frequency (Weekly, Biweekly or Monthly), a Day of the week and a Time, then click Confirm. The line under the schedule shows the date the next round will go out.
- To send a round right away: click the arrow next to Confirm and choose Confirm & Send Now.
If Recurring Schedule is off, clicking Confirm saves your settings without sending anything.
Recurring matchups run on a day of the week, not a date. Monthly repeats every 4 weeks on the day you choose, so the calendar date changes from month to month.
Stop matchups
To pause a recurring schedule, go to Matchups in your left sidebar, click Configure Matching, switch off Recurring Schedule on the Confirm & Send step, and click Confirm.
To stop matchups entirely, click Configure Matching, open Step 2 (Matchmaking Settings), and delete your pools.
Frequently asked questions
When are matchup emails sent to members? With Recurring Schedule on, they send on the day of the week and at the time you chose on the Confirm & Send step. The date of the next round is shown under the schedule. Confirm & Send Now sends them immediately.
Can I schedule matchups for a specific date each month, like the 5th? Not at the moment. Recurring matchups run on a day of the week, and Monthly repeats every 4 weeks. To send on a set date, switch off Recurring Schedule and use Confirm & Send Now on that date each month. You can also suggest date-based scheduling on our public roadmap.
How can I add other administrators to Matchups, since they don't see a way to opt in? First, you'll have to go to Step 2 and make sure that the Administrator role is added to the matchups pool. Then, go back to step 1 and look for your admins in the dropdown to add them as an opt in.
How will I know the matchups have been sent? All admins are copied on matchup emails automatically.
What do the green icons next to matchups mean? A green icon indicates that those two members have met and completed their matchup.