OPW – Bumble reported Q3 2026 revenue of $207.1M, down 16% YOY. Total paying users fell 14% to 3.08M, including 1.99M on Bumble and 1.09M across Badoo and Other. Net earnings declined to $31.6M from $51.6M a year earlier. The results were disclosed through an SEC filing as Bumble moves toward its $1.3B acquisition by Ithaca Holdings. Shareholders have approved the deal, which remains subject to regulatory clearance.
OPW – The next Love, Tech & Relationships (LTR) session takes place on November 5 at 11:45 AM EST (New York time), featuring Viktor Cindric, Director of UX, Conversion & Optimization at Courtland Brooks. Viktor, who has worked in the dating industry since 2012, will share results from a series of tests he has run, their outcomes, and insights dating apps and sites can use to improve user experience.
Session by invitation only. Register here to apply for the invitation list.
Thanks to our sponsors: HubPeople, InnerVue and LeadThink.
APPLE – Apple is introducing new App Store age-rating rules for dating and location-sharing apps from November 16. Developers will need to declare whether their apps include dating, romantic, or virtual companion features, with apps in the Dating and Relationships category receiving a minimum 18+ rating. All existing apps must complete the new declarations by January 12, 2027. Brazil will apply an A18 rating to dating apps and A16 to apps with shared-location features.
YOUGOV – YouGov research found that single Gen Z Singaporeans are significantly more open to the government-backed FirstDate matchmaking service than Millennials, with 49% saying they would likely use it compared with 28% of Millennials. Verified identities were the most desired feature, cited by 42%, followed by matching based on shared values and interests. Overall, 44% of Singaporeans support government-backed matchmaking, rising to 56% among Gen Z. The survey also found independence, career ambitions, and difficulty finding compatible partners are key reasons younger Singaporeans are remaining single.
MATCH GROUP – Match Group released its Q3 2026 results, reporting revenue of $891M, down 3% YOY. Net income increased 8% to $174M. Tinder generated $480M in revenue, down 2%, while Hinge grew 19% to $220.6M. Revenue from the E&E division declined 20% to $176M. Hinge is testing a lower-priced subscription aimed particularly at women and price-sensitive users, offering additional filters and custom location boundaries. The company also plans to launch Hinge in Japan in 2027 and continues to target $1B in annual revenue next year. Tinder’s daily active users returned to YOY growth in Sep for the first time in three and a half years. The app is improving its matching algorithms and expanding features including Double Date, Events and Groups, while preparing new monetisation initiatives for 2027. Match Group is also prioritising Upward, BLK, HER and Match within its smaller-brand portfolio, with other brands supported through shared technology teams.
WORLD.ORG – A new Harris Poll survey for World found widespread concerns about fake profiles on dating apps, with 74% of online daters saying they have suspected a match was not a real person. Some 81% of singles said they would be more likely to use a dating app if every profile was confirmed as belonging to a real person, while 70% would choose an average-looking verified person over an attractive profile they could not trust. World is promoting its World ID technology as a solution, allowing users to prove they are human and over 18 without sharing personal information. Tinder has already introduced World’s Proof of Human verification in the U.S. and Japan.
OPW – Hello Group has acquired a majority stake in Inner Circle, the Amsterdam-based dating app with nearly 9 million members worldwide. Inner Circle will continue operating independently from Amsterdam under its existing brand, with Hello Group supporting its international expansion. The acquisition strengthens Hello Group’s presence in Europe and Latin America and adds Inner Circle to a dating portfolio that includes happn, Tantan and Coffee Meets Bagel Worldwide. Financial terms were not disclosed.
OPW – Mattr, a dating app built to be neurodivergent-friendly, has partnered with HubPeople, a dating technology provider powering thousands of dating brands worldwide. The partnership will expand Mattr beyond its London and Manchester base, giving members access to a larger international pool of potential matches. Mattr is also adding group chats, community Spaces for advice and friendship, and verified-only chat rooms. Founder Jamie Johnston will continue advising HubPeople on features for neurodivergent users, while Mattr will focus on growing its brand and community rather than maintaining its own technology infrastructure.
DETROIT NEWS – Detroit-based dating app Paira connects singles for double dates, allowing users to bring a friend, or “wingmate”, along. The app creates four-person group chats and partners with local restaurants and venues to offer discounts and events. Founded in 2025, Paira is available on iPhone in the Detroit metro area, with plans to expand to other Midwest cities.
