Key takeaways
- Each person agrees privately before any details are shared.
- A decline stays private: the requester never learns who said no.
- It is the opposite of introducing two people first and asking afterwards.
How a double opt-in introduction works
- 1Someone asks a connector for help, or the connector spots a useful match.
- 2The connector describes the need to the person who might help and asks whether they are open to an introduction.
- 3The connector checks that the person who asked still wants it and is happy for their details to be shared.
- 4Only when both agree does the connector share names and contact details with each of them.
Double opt-in versus a direct introduction
| Direct introduction | Double opt-in introduction | |
|---|---|---|
| When details are shared | Straight away, often to both people at once | Only after both have agreed |
| Saying no | Has to be done in front of the connector, or by ignoring the message | A private "not now" to the connector |
| Effort for the connector | One message | Two short checks, then the introduction |
Why networks use the double opt-in
Busy members get asked for favours constantly. A double opt-in introduction respects their time: they hear what the need is and decide before anyone has their number. It also protects the person asking, whose request isn't broadcast to people who may not want to help. Both arrive at the conversation having chosen it, which makes for a better first call.
Double opt-in introductions in Milvao
Milvao runs this pattern on a community's WhatsApp number. A member confirms a short brief of their request, then separately chooses whether their number may be shared for it. The matched member sees the brief without the requester's name or number and taps Accept or Decline. Contacts go out only after both yeses, and both are checked again just before sending. See who sees what.