Announcing LTR 51 With Michael O’Sullivan (Founder of HubPeople) and Mark Brooks (CEO of Courtland Brooks)

Posted on April 7, 2026

OPW – Edition 51 of the LTR (Love, Tech, Relationships) online experience will be on Wednesday, April 15th, at 12 pm (noon) EST (New York time).

In this edition, Mark Brooks will interview Michael O’Sullivan about his new book, Dating App: How to Build, Survive and Thrive in the World’s Most Human Tech Industry. The conversation will explore the realities of building and operating a dating business, from managing churn and user acquisition to navigating fraud, payments, and regulation in one of the most complex consumer tech sectors.

After that, Mark will present The State of the Dating Industry in 2026 – Turning the Tide, sharing key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the industry today.

If you hold a full-time leadership role at an online dating, social discovery, or matchmaking company, you are welcome to join LTR events for free.

Why attend LTR?

🏠 Flexible: Attend from anywhere – no travel required.
⏰ Convenient: Live session. 90 minutes.
💰 Free: No registration fees.

See the LTR Edition 51 speakers and invite page here.

This event is kindly sponsored by HubPeople, LeadThink, and Matchmaker.com.

Email mark@courtlandbrooks.com to RSVP.

Event poster featuring the LTR US logo, with images of speakers Michael O'Sullivan, founder of HubPeople.ai, and Mark Brooks, CEO of Courtland Brooks and Matchmaker.com, against a blurred background of an audience.

China’s Milian Files for IPO as Yidui Dating App Drives Growth

Posted on April 7, 2026
Yidui screenshot

BAMBOO WORKS – Chinese company Milian Technology has filed for an IPO, driven by its app Yidui, which uses live three-way video chats where a paid host helps two users interact and keep conversations going. The platform relies on hosts as matchmakers and generates revenue mainly from virtual gifts and in-app interactions (98.8%), not subscriptions. In China, the online dating and social market reached 22.6B yuan ($3.1B) in 2024 with ~280M users by mid-2025. Milian reported 4.12B yuan ($570M) in revenue (+74% YoY) and 519M yuan (~$72M) in profit, with Yidui contributing 81.7% of revenue. The app had 4.8M monthly active users.

See full article at Bamboo Works

AI Disrupts Online Dating as happn Pushes for Authenticity

Posted on April 7, 2026
Logo of the dating app Happn

THE AI JOURNAL – happn says AI is reshaping online dating by enabling fake profiles, automated conversations, and even AI-driven relationships, raising concerns about authenticity. The company reports that 79% of UK users would use AI for tasks like messaging or date planning, while opinions on AI relationships are divided, with 41% accepting them and 43% uncomfortable. AI is also making fraud more scalable, as bots can mimic users and build trust over time. In response, happn is introducing tools to report AI-generated profiles and requiring users to commit to human interaction to maintain trust.

See full article at The AI Journal

Get Online Personals Watch by Email

Posted on April 7, 2026
Logo featuring the letters 'OPW' on a gradient blue background.

OPW – We’re dedicated to providing you with quality daily executive summaries and intelligence. Subscribe here, and send to a friend. We find news and info that will help make you smarter and help you make better informed decisions. Online Personals Watch has been run by the Courtland Brooks team since 2004.

Matchmaker.com Launches, Connecting Singles With Professional Matchmakers

Posted on April 6, 2026
Matchmaker.com

ASSOCIATED PRESS – Matchmaker.com has launched as a marketplace connecting singles with vetted professional matchmakers. Founded by Ophir Laizerovich and Mark Brooks, the platform uses a questionnaire to match users with compatible matchmakers based on factors such as location, age, and preferences. It positions itself as a more structured, human-led alternative to dating apps, while giving matchmakers a more efficient way to reach high-intent clients.

See full article at Associated Press

New Dating Models Emerge, From $200 Date Bounties to AI-Led Matchmaking

Posted on April 6, 2026
Known dating app

BUSINESS INSIDER – Singles and startups are experimenting with new models that move beyond swiping. In San Francisco, Patricia Tani drew attention by offering a $200 bounty for a curated Valentine’s date, generating hundreds of applications and leading to a real-world match. At the same time, Known uses voice-based AI interviews to gather detailed insights on users and delivers one curated match at a time, aiming to replace large pools of options with smaller, more focused matches.

See full article at Business Insider

Dutch Tinder Users Must Submit Face Scan to Use the App

Posted on April 6, 2026
Tinder app icon

I AM EXPAT – Starting in April 2026, Tinder users in the Netherlands will be required to submit a face scan to use the dating app. The scan will be used to prevent catfishing, but there are concerns about privacy risks. The new privacy policy states that these AI face scans will be stored on US servers for as long as an account exists on the app and can be shared with third parties “when necessary to resolve issues or ensure that the service continues to function properly”.

See full article at I Am Expat

Julie Ferman Expands Virtual Matchmaking Boot Camp Globally

Posted on April 6, 2026
Julie Ferman

PRESS RELEASE – Julie Ferman, a professional matchmaker and dating coach since 1990, has announced the expansion of her signature 30-Day Virtual Boot Camp. The program is designed to help singles develop social magnetism, effective communication, and proactive dating strategies. Originally based in LA since 2001, Ferman expanded her operations with a hub in Santa Fe in 2016 and later Denver in 2025. Her Virtual Boot Camp now serves clients throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

See full article at Financial Content

Strategy, Business Development, Marketing

Posted on April 6, 2026

Courtland Brooks logoOPW – That's what Courtland Brooks does for dating companies. Also online matchmaking and social discovery companies. We also occasionally work for best-in-class vendors who want to approach the dating industry. We're special because we have faithfully run Online Personals Watch since 2004. We know the dating industry, and recruit people to Courtland Brooks once they leave the industry (and start to miss it).

For the price of a marketing manager you can get access to a seasoned team of online dating professionals. See Testimonials here. See pricing and service overview. Email mark@courtlandbrooks.com or simply book an opening call here.

Sonder Launches With Slow Sign-Up to Drive More Authentic Connections

Posted on April 2, 2026
A smartphone displaying the Sonder dating app interface

TECH CRUNCH – Sonder is a new social and dating app designed to feel more authentic and less like traditional swipe apps. It uses a deliberately slow, effort-heavy sign-up process to filter out low-intent users. Profiles are unstructured, more like creative mood boards than standard bios. The app focuses on real connections through both online matching and quirky in-person events. It uses light AI for match suggestions but avoids automation that removes human effort. Early traction is small but organic, with a growing community in London and no paid marketing.

See full article at Tech Crunch