Should a shadchan get some payment for every date.

Here’s why structured per-date compensation makes sense:
The Core Problem with Current Norms
Right now, most shadchanim only get meaningfully compensated when a couple gets engaged. That means:

Dozens of hours of work can go completely unrewarded
The risk falls entirely on the shadchan
People who could make good introductions don’t bother because the odds of seeing any return are low

Why Per-Date Pay Makes Sense

A first date is a real accomplishment. Researching both sides, convincing two families, coordinating schedules, and making a viable suggestion is genuine skilled labor — regardless of outcome.
Compatibility is hard to assess from the outside. The fact that two people even agreed to meet and followed through is a win that deserves recognition.
It separates effort from outcome. A shadchan shouldn’t be penalized because one person had cold feet on date three, even though the research and suggestion were excellent.
It values the process, not just the result. Marriage is the goal, but the path to marriage is built date by date.

a Tiered Structure is Smart
Date Suggested Minimum (each side)1st$50.00, 2nd$75.00, 3rd+Escalating (e.g. $100, $125…)
The escalating scale reflects that deeper dates require more shadchan involvement — follow-up calls, coaching, managing concerns from both sides.
The Incentive Effect You’re Describing is Real
People who casually think “Hmm, these two might be good together” currently have almost no reason to act on that instinct. A modest guaranteed payment per date changes the calculus entirely. It could unlock a whole informal layer of community matchmaking from people who know both sides well but aren’t professional shadchanim.
The Bottom Line
Shadchanus is a service, not a lottery ticket. Paying per date treats it that way — and would likely bring more people into the parshah faster.