Online Personals Watch: News on the Online Dating Industry and Business

Unveiling the Agenda: New York Conference Set for March 19th, 2025

OPW - Global Dating Insights and Social Discovery Insights will host a one-day industry conference in New York on March 19th, bringing together key players in the online dating space. Speakers include executives from Spark, Happn, Inner Circle, Pure, UrbanMatch, Down, and more, with Mark Brooks, CEO of the Internet Dating Excellence Association, presenting on the industry's growth trajectory. Mark will focus on trends like AI-driven matchmaking, the rise of niche apps, and new market opportunities. Panel discussions will cover scaling platforms, funding challenges, and strategies for user retention and global expansion. Early bird tickets are available until January 31st.

Mark Brooks: See you there. Tickets are at early-bird pricing of $379 right now, which I think is a steal for the value offered here!

GDI Podcast With Mark Brooks of IDEA (Internet Dating Excellence Association)

GDI - In this episode, Mark Brooks, founder of the Internet Dating Excellence Association (IDEA), talks about the current state of online dating and matchmaking. He shares his thoughts on Social Discovery and what the future might hold for the industry. As the leader of the only agency-consultancy focused on this market, Mark gives practical advice for startups looking to launch their own brands. The conversation also covers how to maintain a good work-life balance and stay up-to-date with industry trends, and a quickfire round where Mark shares his favorite podcast and book and what he'd be doing if he weren't in the online dating business.

See full article at GDI

Reminder: LTR Edition 39 Happening This Wednesday, January 15th

OPW - Don't miss LTR (Love, Tech, Relationships) Edition 39 this Wednesday, January 15th, at 1pm EST (New York time). Join us for an insightful edition featuring Steve Baker, former FTC director, and fraud detection expert, in an engaging fireside chat with Mark Brooks. Together, they’ll unpack the evolving landscape of trust and safety in online dating and reveal why the FTC plays a critical role in protecting users. Next, Anthony Pratkanis, acclaimed psychology expert, author of The Persuasion Age and The Age of Propaganda, and Professor Emeritus at UC Santa Cruz, takes the stage. He’ll delve into the psychology behind scams, sharing insights from his research on fraud, social influence, and consumer behavior.

If you hold a full-time leadership role at an Internet dating company, you are welcome to join IDEA and LTR events for free.

See the LTR Edition 39 speakers and registration page here

Email [email protected] to RSVP.

This LTR is kindly sponsored by Dating Through Curiosity, RealMe, Courtland Brooks, and Matchmaker.com.

Discover our collection of past LTR videos packed with insights and expertise - explore them here.

CarpeDM and Unskrypted CEOs Discuss Dating Trends and Upcoming Event

FOX5DC - CarpeDM Matchmaking Service Founder Naza Shelley and Unskrypted CEO Folasadé Ogunmokun joined Fox to talk about dating trends for the new year and their upcoming event, The Dating Game Live at Penn Social on February 8, 2025. From the best and worst first date behaviors to who should pick up the check, they shared their insights on modern dating etiquette while teasing the exciting game-show-style event where singles and couples can connect, laugh, and create unforgettable memories.

See the top news on CarpeDM

What to Expect From Match Group's Next Quarterly Earnings Report

TRADING VIEW - Match Group will announce its Q4 2024 earnings on Feb 4. Analysts expect profits of $0.54 per share, down from $0.81 last year, and revenue between $865M and $875M. This follows Q3 revenue of $895.5M, which slightly missed forecasts. For the full year, profits are projected to drop 14.2% to $1.94 per share but are expected to rebound to $2.13 in 2025. Analysts give the stock a "Moderate Buy" rating with a $36.88 price target, suggesting potential growth ahead.

See full article at Trading View

See the top news on Match Group

Dare Olatoye - Online Dating Market in Africa

LTR - Dare Olatoye is the co-founder and CEO of Trueflutter, a matchmaking app for Africans and their diaspora. He shares his fascinating journey building the app with innovative features like audio bios and nationality-based filters, which has attracted ~500K users. Trueflutter stands out for its embrace of African cultural nuances, and Dare shares how it all started with his sister's late-life marriage and a focus on meaningful relationships rather than casual encounters. Despite funding challenges and competition, the app has been a huge success, with 108 marriages in 3 years, surpassing Tinder and Bumble in the African market.

[**See the video here on Youtube**]

The November LTR was kindly sponsored by ParshipMeet Group, RealMe, Dating Through Curiosity, along with Courtland Brooks and Matchmaker.com

See the top news on Trueflutter

Shn Juay, Former Paktor CEO, Appointed CEO Worldwide of Coffee Meets Bagel

OPW - Shn Juay, who spent six years at Paktor, including serving as its CEO, is now the CEO worldwide at Coffee Meets Bagel. With a wealth of experience in the dating industry, she takes on this role to further strengthen the brand's mission of connecting serious daters. During her time at Paktor, she oversaw both online and offline matchmaking platforms. Coffee Meets Bagel, a San Francisco-based dating app launched in 2012, focuses on fostering serious relationships through features like detailed profiles and limited matches. The app gained attention after appearing on Shark Tank in 2015.

See the top news on Coffee Meets Bagel
See the top news on Paktor

Thursday Shuts Down Dating App to Focus on Events and New Ventures

CITY AM - Thursday, a London-based start-up founded by George Rawlings, launched its dating app in 2021 with a simple idea: it only works on Thursdays. The app was designed to tackle "dating fatigue" by limiting activity to one day a week, encouraging quicker decisions and real-life meetups. Now, the company is shifting its focus to Thursday Events, where users can buy tickets to weekly events around the world. They’re also planning to expand their trips division, launch in new countries, and introduce a clothing line.

by Jon Robinson
See full article at City AM

See the top news on Thursday

New York Is Passing a Law to Protect Online Daters

VICE - Starting in February, a new law in New York will require dating apps to notify users if someone has been previously banned. This measure aims to provide added user protection and reduce financial losses linked to scams just in time for Valentine's Day.

by Sammi Caramela
See full article at Vice

Matrimony.com CFO Resigns; New Director and Ad Campaign Announced

INDIAN TV - Matrimony.com announced the resignation of CFO Sushanth Pai, who served for six years, to pursue other opportunities. Media veteran Rajesh Sawhney has been appointed as an additional independent director. Additionally, the company is launching a new ad campaign in January featuring Anil Kapoor.

See full article at Indian TV

See the top news on Matrimony.com