Hinge Reaches 1.47M Users in India Ahead of Marketing Push

Posted on September 29, 2026
Hinge app icon

FORBES INDIA – Hinge has an estimated 1.47M users in India, making it the app’s third-largest market by user numbers. India also generates its second-highest volume of downloads after the US, despite Hinge doing little local marketing during its ten years in the country. Hinge plans to begin marketing in India for the first time later this month, supported by new safety features developed for the market. CEO Jackie Jantos said the company expects further growth beyond its current concentration in Delhi, Mumbai, and other major cities.

See full article at Forbes India

Happn Uses Bike Seat Covers for Amsterdam Campaign

Posted on September 29, 2026
Happn Uses Bike Seat Covers for Amsterdam Campaign

LINKEDIN – Happn has launched an outdoor marketing campaign in Amsterdam using purple bicycle seat covers. The covers have appeared on bikes around De Pijp, protecting seats from rain while promoting the dating app. The campaign fits happn’s focus on people who cross paths in real life. It also gives the advertising a practical use in a city where cycling is part of everyday life.

See full article at LinkedIn

Grindr to Offer PrEP Through Its App

Posted on September 29, 2026
PrEP pills

LINKEDIN – Grindr users in the US will be able to order PrEP directly through the app in 2027. CEO George Arison announced the plan after discussing Grindr’s HIV prevention work with Chelsea Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative. Grindr aims to connect 10M people with HIV prevention services by 2028. Arison said only ~650K people in the US currently have active PrEP prescriptions, despite the medication being up to 99% effective at preventing HIV. ~500K people have already ordered HIV test kits through Grindr, with a quarter testing for the first time.

See full article at LinkedIn

Young Japanese Singles Turn to Professional Matchmakers

Posted on September 29, 2026
IBJ

NEW YORK TIMES – Professional matchmaking is gaining ground among younger singles in Japan. IBJ, one of the country’s largest matchmaking companies, has seen membership grow ~50% over the past five years, while first-half revenue jumped 44% to ~$91M. The company says its network is involved in roughly one in every 25 marriages in Japan. Members receive support from consultants throughout the dating process, with typical costs including monthly fees of $30 to $100, enrollment fees of $650 to $1,300, and a $1,300 success fee upon engagement. IBJ is also targeting younger singles with advertising such as “Better one omiai than 100 swipes.”

See full article at New York Times

Pennsylvania Advances AI Companion Safety Bill

Posted on September 29, 2026
AI companion

BRUSHWOOD MEDIA NETWORK – The Pennsylvania House has passed HB 2006, which would introduce safety rules for AI companion services. Platforms would need systems for responding to suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and threats of violence. Users must be clearly told that they are interacting with AI, while minors would require parental consent and receive additional protection from sexual content. The bill passed the House by 133 votes to 70 and now moves to the state Senate.

See full article at Brushwood Media Network

Coffee Meets Bagel Recognised for Online Safety Work in Singapore

Posted on September 29, 2026
Coffee Meets Bagel Recognised for Online Safety Work in Singapore

LINKEDIN – Coffee Meets Bagel has been recognised by Singapore’s Ministry of Law for supporting online safety under the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act. The company received the recognition from Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong. Coffee Meets Bagel was the first dating app in Singapore to introduce Singpass verification, allowing users to confirm their identity through the government’s digital identity system. It has since introduced selfie verification globally to check that profile photos match the person using the account.

See full article at LinkedIn

Dating App Safety Should Be the Baseline, Not a Competitive Advantage

Posted on September 28, 2026
Happn hosted a Women in Dating workshop

LINKEDIN – Happn hosted a Women in Dating workshop on trust, safety and inclusion in London on 15 September. The session was led by Clémence Métivier from Hally, a French consultancy that helps digital platforms prevent and respond to sexual harassment, abuse and gender-based violence. The discussion covered the Online Safety Act and the Digital Services Act, why safety should involve every team, and what smaller dating companies can do to improve user protection.

See full article at LinkedIn

Tinder Gives Previously Passed Profiles a Second Chance

Posted on September 28, 2026
Tinder logo

LIFE AT TINDER – Tinder has introduced “dynamic recycling” to give active users more recommendations when they begin running out of new profiles. Recent passes remain hidden, and unseen profiles are prioritised, but older profiles can reappear under controlled conditions. Tinder found that users were still willing to engage with strong potential matches they had previously passed on. The system limits repeated exposure and works alongside Tinder’s existing recommendation models.

See full article at Life at Tinder

Indian Singles Want Deeper Connections and Safer Dating Apps

Posted on September 28, 2026
Indian Singles Want Deeper Connections and Safer Dating Apps

THE HINDU BUSINESS LINE – A Match Group-commissioned Ipsos survey of 1K single Indians found that 40% currently use dating apps and 55% expect to use one within the next year. ~72% prefer fewer but deeper connections, while the same proportion of those seeking a relationship would only date someone they could see a long-term future with. Safety remains a concern for 60%, and 52% consider verified profiles and strong safety measures important when choosing an app. Although 63% said dating apps help them feel less alone, 58% feel connected online but lonely in real life.

See full article at The Hindu Business Line

Facebook Grew to 21 Million Users

Posted on September 28, 2026
Logo of Facebook Dating

THOUGHT CATALOG – Facebook Dating has grown to 21M users, including 1.77M daily users aged 18 to 29 in the US. The service is free and sits inside the main Facebook app. Product manager Neha Kumar said users like having a way to look for relationships without paying for a separate dating service.

See full article at Thought Catalog