MATCH GROUP – Tinder has overhauled much of its product over the past 18 months, including profiles, recommendations, matching, and chat. The company said bots and bad actors have fallen by more than 60%, while engineering teams are releasing updates twice as fast as a year ago. More than 90% of new code is generated using AI and then reviewed by engineers. Tinder is now focusing on faster recommendations, improved post-match conversations, and social features including Double Date and Events.
WALL STREET JOURNAL – Young people still want relationships, but many have grown tired of swiping. Apps such as Fate, Sitch, and Keeper ask users what they are looking for and use AI to find potential matches. Three Day Rule uses the technology for matching and dating advice. This could save people time, but problems arise when AI starts writing messages for them. It may help find someone suitable, but it cannot tell whether two people will have chemistry.
MASHABLE – Match Group has repositioned Upward from a Christian dating app to a marriage-focused platform for young singles. Most users are under 35, nearly all want children, and people of all faiths can join. New features include Marriage Timeline, which shows when users hope to marry, and Core Values for priorities such as family, integrity, and community. Its opt-in Chivalry Mode encourages men to send the first message and gives the other person 72 hours to respond. Match said 72% of Gen Z want to marry, while Upward couples who shared their stories took less than a year on average to go from matching to marriage.
MASHABLE – A Zelle survey of 1,800 Gen Z and millennial daters found that 84% have changed their dating habits because of rising costs. Nearly one-third are going on fewer dates, while 11% have stopped dating because they cannot afford it. Many are choosing cheaper or free activities, and 38% viewed someone more positively for planning an affordable but thoughtful date. Financial honesty, sensible spending, and avoiding awkward conversations about payment were among the biggest financial green flags.
MASHABLE – A Kinsey Institute study of 2,373 US adults aged 18 to 29 found that Gen Z is having less sex despite generally strong sexual desire. Some 29% had no sexual partners in the previous three months, 31% were not sexually active, and 19% had never had a partner. Among singles, 74% still reported moderate to very high sexual desire. The main barriers were limited opportunities to meet people, dating fatigue, fear of rejection, and financial pressure. Digital sexual content also played a role, with 31% saying pornography reduced their interest in partnered sex. Despite lower activity, 55% were satisfied with their sex lives.
ABC.NET. AU – Australia is considering including dating apps in its proposed digital duty of care. Platforms would have to take steps to prevent risks such as stalking, sexual violence, serious abuse and image-based abuse, rather than waiting for users to report them. The rules could also cover messaging apps, online games, search engines and AI services. Consultation has closed, and draft legislation is expected in October 2026.
BIT – A new report from the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), funded by the Minderoo Foundation, found that 99% of Australian women surveyed had experienced some form of tech-based abuse on dating platforms in the previous three months. Psychological and emotional abuse was the most common, while many women chose to unmatch or avoid offenders rather than report them. The report calls on dating platforms to take more responsibility for safety, including detecting harmful behaviour earlier, improving reporting, and preventing offenders from creating new accounts.
MORNING CONSULT – Morning Consult research shows Facebook Dating has become a major competitor to traditional dating apps in the U.S. It leads Tinder and other major brands in 22 of the 25 reasons people consider using a dating app. Around 36% of Americans who know about Facebook Dating had used it in the previous four weeks, compared with 19% for Tinder. The research also found that people are more likely to turn to dating apps because they feel lonely or want to see who is available than because they are looking for a serious relationship.
FAST COMPANY – Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff discussed the company’s turnaround plans in an interview with Fast Company. He said Match’s brands previously managed their own advertising, but the company has now brought those teams together. A single team manages ~$600M in annual ad spending across ~20+ brands. Match is also combining parts of the technology used by its apps, making it easier to introduce the same features across several products. Rascoff said ~60% of Tinder and Hinge users are under 28. Tinder is trying to appeal to these users with Double Date, group matching and in-person events. Double Date is used by ~25% of Gen Z users in the US and close to 50% in some European markets. Match has also adjusted its recommendation systems to prioritise conversations with at least six exchanges, which it calls “sparks.” Rascoff said AI can help with safety, matching and communication advice, but should not write messages or speak on behalf of users.
EUREKALERT – The Kinsey Institute and Match surveyed ~5K US singles for the 15th annual Singles in America study. Interest in marriage increased, with 45% saying they want to marry, up from 33% in 2010. However, only 38% of singles under 50 want children. Financial pressure is shaping relationships, with 52% saying the economy makes them more interested in finding a partner, while others are delaying commitment and parenthood until they feel financially secure. Political labels are becoming stronger dating dealbreakers, particularly among Gen Z. AI use is also growing: 39% have used it for dating, including 67% of Gen Z, although 66% said it could not replace human connection.