4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using a instant messaging identity representing an instant messaging robot to interact with the target instant messaging identity or one of the instant messaging identities in the identified group of instant messaging identities based on detection of a predetermined condition.
1. A computer-implemented method for facilitating online communication among multiple online messaging identities, the method comprising: identifying a target online messaging identity who is accessible over a network of computers, and who desires interaction with other online messaging identities who are presently subscribed to an online messaging service; presenting questions to the target online messaging identity, at least one of the questions including selectable responses associated with the question; receiving, from the target online messaging identity, responses to the questions; accessing, from computer-accessible memory, stored responses to the questions, at least one of the stored responses having been received from another online messaging identity presently subscribed to the online messaging service; comparing responses received from the target online messaging identity to the accessed stored responses; identifying, based at least in part on results of the comparison, a group of less than all of online messaging identities who can be contacted through the online messaging service, as being of interest to the target online messaging identity; and introducing the identified group of online messaging identities who can be contacted through the online messaging service to the target online messaging identity.