#ao3's matching algorithm is adapted from code astolat wrote back in the aughts to automate matching for the yuletide exchange

[shinelikethunder]

on the one hand, the terribly-seeded brackets in that AO3 ship tournament are the direct result of a Known Hard Problem that dates back decades in fandom

on the other hand, sanity checking a few dozen extremely well-known pairings for obvious off-AO3 clout is not nearly as difficult as the emblematic question of "what qualifies as a small fandom for Yuletide?"

on a secret third hand, the results are very funny

in conclusion, somebody should complete the circle and somehow use AO3's exchange matching algorithm to seed tournament brackets. badly.