Rekindlelike

Rekindlelike is a term used in the context of online social networks and messaging platforms to describe signals, features, or metrics that indicate renewed interest in reconnecting with a person after a period of reduced or no interaction.

The term is a portmanteau of rekindle and like. It is not a single standardized feature but a concept that has appeared in academic and industry discussions about user re-engagement and relationship maintenance online. While no universal definition exists, rekindlelike generally refers to a deliberate or algorithmically inferred return to contact with a prior contact.

Mechanisms may include: an explicit rekindle action such as clicking a rekindle button; an automated score assigned to previously dormant contacts based on recent interactions (message replies, profile views, shared connections); or a user-visible prompt highlighting an old conversation as likely relevant again.

Purposes include reviving meaningful conversations, helping users re-engage with dormant networks, and improving platform retention by surfacing latent social connections. Implementations vary in whether rekindlelike is opt-in, visible to the user, or used internally to curate feeds or reminders.

Criticism centers on privacy and consent, potential pressure to reconnect, and the risk of unwanted contact. Designers may address these concerns with clear explanations, opt-out controls, data minimization, and proportional notification.

Related concepts include re-engagement signals, social recency, churn prediction, and relationship maintenance in online platforms.