One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for connecting users based on a measure of correlation. The method involves receiving a first activity data element associated with a first user, where the first activity data element includes activity information related to a first software application, receiving a second activity data element associated with a second user, where the second activity data element includes activity information related to the first software application, and determining, via a processing unit, a measure of correlation between the first and second activity data elements. The method further involves determining, based on the measure of correlation between the first and second activity data elements, that a connection between the first user and the second user should be facilitated, and facilitating a connection between the first user and the second user.