Exact Match and Partial Match

Exact match and partial match are two modes available within the Normal (answer-based) recommendation type — they are not separate recommendation types themselves. When a customer selects multiple answers, the match mode controls how strictly products are filtered for the result page. Exact match shows only the products that all selected answers agree on. Partial match shows every product linked to any selected answer.

Exact Match: Precise Results

In exact match mode, a product only appears on the result page if it is linked to every answer the customer selected.

Example: A customer selects answers A, B, and C. A product will only appear in their results if it is linked to all three of A, B, and C. A product linked to only A and B — but not C — will not appear.

This produces highly targeted results. Customers see only the products that are a strong fit for their entire profile — not just one or two of their answers.

When to use exact match:

When you have a large product catalogue and want to prevent too many results from being shown
When each product is designed for a very specific combination of needs
When precision matters more than breadth — for example, a medical-grade skincare finder or a highly specialised supplement quiz
When you want to avoid recommending products that only partially suit the customer

With exact match enabled, it is possible for a customer to receive no product recommendations if no single product is linked to all of their selected answers. Make sure your product links cover common answer combinations, and test thoroughly before publishing.

Partial Match: Broader Results

In partial match mode, a product appears on the result page if it is linked to any answer the customer selected — even if it is not linked to all of them.

Example: A customer selects answers A, B, and C. A product linked to only A will appear on the result page, as will a product linked to only C, and a product linked to all three.

This produces broader results. Customers see all products that are relevant to any part of their profile.

When to use partial match:

When your product range is small and you want to ensure customers always see recommendations
When products are broadly suitable and you want to surface as many relevant options as possible
When a quiz serves as a discovery tool rather than a precise diagnostic

How to Configure the Match Mode

You set the match mode in your quiz settings, not on individual questions or answers:

Open your quiz in the Quizify editor
Go to Settings within the quiz
Find the recommendation or result page settings
Select Exact Match or Partial Match as your preferred mode
Save your settings

Use the Preview function after changing the match mode to walk through your quiz and verify that the results look right before publishing.

Choosing the Right Mode

	Exact Match	Partial Match
Products shown	Only those linked to ALL selected answers	Any product linked to ANY selected answer
Result breadth	Narrow and precise	Broad and inclusive
Risk	Zero results if no product matches all answers	Too many results if many products are linked
Best for	Specialist or diagnostic quizzes	Discovery quizzes, small catalogues

Frequently asked questions

What happens if no products match exactly?

If you have exact match enabled and a customer's combination of answers does not correspond to any product that is linked to all of their selections, the result page will show no product recommendations. To prevent this, review your product links carefully and make sure the most common answer combinations each have at least one product that is linked to all answers in that combination. Always test your quiz in Preview before publishing.

What is exact match recommendation in Quizify?

Exact match is a mode where a product only appears on the result page if it is linked to every answer the customer selected. If a customer selects three answers and a product is only linked to two of them, it does not appear. This produces precise, highly relevant results but requires careful product linking to ensure customers always receive at least one recommendation.

What is partial match recommendation?

Partial match is a mode where a product appears on the result page if it is linked to any answer the customer selected — regardless of whether it is linked to all of them. This produces broader results. Any product connected to at least one of the customer's selected answers will appear on their result page.

Which match mode should I use?

The right mode depends on your quiz goals. If you want results that are highly specific to the customer's full profile — and you have a large catalogue with products designed for precise combinations of needs — use exact match. If you want to surface as many relevant options as possible and ensure customers always see recommendations, use partial match. Partial match is generally the safer default for most quizzes, especially when starting out.