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

A Debate: Is It Time to Break up With Dating Apps?

OPW - In a debate moderated by journalist Nayeema Raza, matchmaker Maria Avgitidis (CEO of Agape Match) and Melissa Hobley (Global CMO of Tinder) discussed whether dating apps are more of a hindrance than a help.

Maria argued that dating apps have gamified romance, leading to exhaustion, indecision, and a paradox of choice. She claimed users are more focused on superficial traits, like height, and are getting dopamine hits rather than real relationships. She pointed to Gen Z's declining interest in dating apps as proof that people are looking for more authentic ways to connect.

Melissa countered that dating apps remain the most effective way to meet a partner, citing research showing that half of relationships and 70-80% of LGBTQ+ relationships start online. She acknowledged that dating is hard but emphasized that apps like Tinder provide accessibility, control, and opportunities that wouldn't exist otherwise. Melissa highlighted Tinder's role in promoting social change, such as advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.

Both agreed dating apps aren't disappearing but need to improve. Maria urged users to be more intentional, arguing that past generations built lasting connections without endless swiping. Melissa defended apps as essential, especially for marginalized groups, citing Tinder's role in LGBTQ+ rights and a rise in interracial relationships.

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Dating Services Partner With Hyde, a Retail Tech Company, to Improve Men's Styling

NEWSWIRE - Dating services First Round's On Me (FROM), Three Day Rule (TDR), and Agape Matchmaking have partnered with Hyde, a D.C.-based Retail Tech company, to provide men with personalized styling advice and curated outfits through their apps. The goal is to help men feel more confident on dates and improve their online profiles by combining fashion expertise with AI technology. Hyde's research shows that style plays a crucial role in dating success, with 74% of women considering it important for second dates.

See full article at Newswire

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Dating Habits Are Changing, 3 Trends and Tips for Navigating Them

NPR - In the evolving dating scene, three key trends are reshaping how people connect:

1. Speed Dating's Resurgence: Speed dating is gaining popularity again, with a 63% increase in events reported by Eventbrite in early 2023.
2. AI in Dating: AI tools are increasingly used in dating, with 6% of singles turning to AI for profile creation and messaging. Maria Avgitidis of Agape Matchmaking suggests using AI to highlight your best self, without altering images.
3. Living Apart Together: The concept of maintaining separate living spaces while in a relationship is gaining traction, especially among younger individuals seeking autonomy.

by Alejandra Marquez Janse
See full article at NPR

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Matchmaker Maria Avgitidis Has Helped Set up ~5,000 First Dates

THESKIMM - Maria Avgitidis is the CEO of Agape Match and host of the "Ask a Matchmaker" podcast. She has helped set up over 5,000 first dates. She observes a shift in dating habits, with singles moving away from dating apps and exploring alternative ways to meet people. She suggests that online dating still has value but requires adjustments. Avgitidis has noticed a change in deal breakers over time, evolving from smoking preferences to political and health stances. She encourages flexibility in deal breakers, except for critical decisions like having children. Her "12 date rule" emphasizes emotional over physical compatibility, advising to wait for 12 dates before engaging in sexual activities.

See full article at TheSkimm

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The Meet Group CMO/Co-Founder Catherine Connelly Interviewed by Ask A Matchmaker Maria

OPW - Feb 1 - Maria Avgitidis is a very accomplished matchmaker out of New York. Catherine Cook Connelly is SVP Marketing & Co-Founder of The Meet Group, and an IDEA 10 Year Club member. Maria has a new podcast called 'Ask A Matchmaker' and is a first-rate interviewer. Check it out...

Listen to the podcast here

Here's a few notes fyi...

• Dave and Catherine were in high school when they started the origin company, myYearBook. Geoff Cook joined a little later. Three siblings.
• They renamed myYearBook to Meetme after they realised members were using it to meet new people.
• They noticed it started becoming 'flirty' so figured they'd move into dating.
• The Meet Group was acquired by Parship for $500m in 2020.
• Meetme works especially well right now, during the pandemic, as it is video-first.
• Meetme is like a friendly neighborhood bar. Livestreaming one-to-many video is the key functionality.
• What's amazing about broadcast video is you can be on the platform and automatically engage with so many people.
• Users can also watch other users on a blind date.
• Leads into a really organic and serendipitous way of meeting.
• Users can also play their own dating game. Within 2 mins they need to decide if they will date them or skip them. - 18-40 is core demographic. Largely US.
• Over 4m DAU across all apps. Over 1m streaming monthly.
• Users spend 1.1B mins a month in the app.
• A place where introverts can feel more outgoing.
• The least favorite color for someone to be wearing is yellow, on Meetme.
• Million people streaming and 8-9m viewing a month. Its more common to be a viewer.

See the top news on The Meet Group

Matchmaker Maria Avgitidis Offers Advice on Love in Her New Podcast

THE NATIONAL HERALD - July 9 - Agape Match CEO Maria Avgitidis, best known as Matchmaker Maria, has announced the debut this week of the first three episodes of her new podcast titled Ask a Matchmaker. The podcast immediately hit the top 20 relationship podcast charts upon announcement at #16 in the USA and #1 in Greece, according to Chartable, a podcast measurement company. Each week, Avgitidis and her special guest answer dating and relationship questions in front of a live (virtual) audience. The origins of Ask a Matchmaker began on Instagram. The Ask a Matchmaker podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. To attend a live show or submit a dating question, visit askamatchmaker.com.

See full article at The National Herald

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80% of Matchmakers Now Offer Coaching

NEW YORK TIMES - May 8 - Matchmakers are seeing higher demand for advice and coaching services now that drinks and dinner are on hold. Lisa Clampitt is a founder and president of the Matchmaking Institute, which holds conferences and provides training for industry professionals, said ~80% of matchmakers now offer coaching services. Dating hasn't decreased because of the coronavirus. It has actually increased. But the method has shifted online. Maria Avgitidis, a fourth-generation matchmaker in Manhattan who has set up 3,5K first dates and said she is responsible for ~ 200 marriages, ramped up the coaching part of her business, Agape Match, in 2018. Coaching clients, who pay $10K and up for a program called "Dating Refresh," get four months of help curating their online profiles and winnowing suitors, plus a makeover and photo shoot. "Coaching is where we've become quite innovative," she said. "People have questions on how to navigate dating during quarantine, and we've made ourselves available to answer those questions." This happens through a free weekly webinar called "Ask a Matchmaker Live." She is also hosting group coaching programs; $350 buys a five-session package. Janis Spindel, the founder of Serious Matchmaking, also arranges dates through Zoom and FaceTime.

by Tammy Le Gorce
See full article at New York Times

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Why People Pretend to Be Jewish on JDate

REFINERY29 - May 13 - For some, it's a numbers game: online dating can be a slog, and joining more than one service increases the pool of perspective matches. "For some reason, a lot of men want Jewish girlfriends," says Toni, a Jewish user, of a trend she's noticed in her own circles since she was in college. "I think it had something to do with sex. Supposedly Jewish women are better sexual partners." Maria Avgitidis, founder and CEO of Agape Match in New York City, remembers a client who said "she only wanted Jewish men because they're really great providers." It's generally a good PR move for any company to land on the side of inclusivity when it comes to religion or ethnicity. Also, allowing non-niche users to join a niche dating site, especially when the niche itself comprises a tiny margin of the larger population, can make a site more profitable. "I think it's beautiful," says David Yarus, founder of JSwipe and Global Ambassador for JDate, of non-Jewish users looking for love on his platforms. "Ultimately, we have been very intentional in fostering more refined, digital dating within the Jewish community or for those who celebrate the Jewish culture. But it's so important that we recognize and honor the universality of the world."

by Rebecca Linde
See full article at Refinery29

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IDEA WOW + IDEA SUMMIT, in Chennai, India

OPW - Apr 9 - The Internet Dating Excellence Association World Officers Weekend happened over the weekend, and the IDEA SUMMIT happened Monday. Here's video summaries of our adventures in Chennai.

Day 1

Day 2

IDEA SUMMIT was a closed door event. It was a very full day of learning and sharing. 14 presentations were made by the CEO/Founder of Matrimony, CEO of Mamba, Chief Mobile Officer of Matrimony, CEO/Founder of Lunch Actually, CMO of Woo, CEO/Founder of Agape Match, CEO of LoveMe, MD of Insparx, Owner of SuccessfulMatch, Owner of Hubpeople, Co-founder of LoveMe, MD of Mamba, and CEO of BetterHalf.ai.

You can see the full information and line up here. Now we're working on the next event.

Subscribe to OPW + Join IDEA + Hire Us

More New Yorkers Are Searching For Long-distance Love

FT - Mar 8 - Maireed Malloy, Berkeley introductions, which charges £18K per year, recorded a 48% rise in the number of Londoners she has set up with New Yorkers in the last 10 months. New York-based Agape Match, which charges $15K for six introductions, showed a similar spike. Maria Avgitidis, said the "stupid rules" of New York's singles scene – with men waiting 3 days to call after a date, or dating multiple women simultaneously – meant women were more inclined to look elsewhere for romance.

by Emma Jacobs
See full article at Financial Times

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Summarized by the Courtland Brooks team

Matchmakers Thrive In The Age Of Tinder

FASTCOMPANY - Oct 1 - When Match.com launched in 1995, it seemed like the matchmaking business was about to have its Amazon moment. "I wondered if we’re going to go out of business," says Amber Kelleher, a matchmaker who had been working with the enormous database of singles her mother had started building, by hand, in 1986. But the Kellehers' business grew. "People were able to take a baby step. They got to us faster," Kelleher says. Maria Avgitidis, the founder of Agape Match, says her clientele has also changed. "As online dating is becoming normalized," she says, "it’s driving up these niche apps and, at the same time, matchmaking." Agape typically charges $15K for six months.

by Sarah Kessler
See full article at FastCompany

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Mixology Acquired By AgapeMatch

PRESS RELEASE - Apr 22 - Agape Match, the NYC based matchmaking service, bought Mixology, a LGBT matchmaking service. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

See full article at InternetDatingNewswire

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This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.

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Instant Chemistry Partners With Agape Match

OPW - July 22 - Instant Chemistry, the at-home compatibility test for couples, is partnering with Agape Match, a professional matchmaking service. Agape Match will offer Instant Chemistry’s DNA kit to interested clients.

Mark Brooks: The DNA test is $199. Basisnote and Scientificmatch were a lot more pricey. The conversions funnel on this sort of service is a bit tough...but this is a very media-friendly story. The press like DNA matchmaking.

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Greek Dating Site AgapaMe.com Launches

PRESS RELEASE - Feb 8 - Agape Match, a matchmaking services for New Yorkers and Greek Singles, went online with AgapaMe.com. AgapaMe.com, which means love me in Greek, is an online dating site for Greek Singles designed by Greek matchmaker, Maria Avgitidis.

See full article at InternetDatingNewswire

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Matchmaker Interview, Maria Avgitidis, CEO Of Agape Match

OPW INTERVIEW - Dec 15 - The internet dating industry should get to know the matchmaking industry a bit better. I thought you’d like some insight, so I interviewed Maria Avgitidis who runs Agape Match in New York.

Agape Match is nominated in three categories at iDate 2012- Best Matchmaker, Most Innovative Company, and Best Dating Site Design.

Why matchmaking?  What did you do before?
I come from several generations of matchmakers. I didn’t pick matchmaking! It picked me! After completing my Bachelors of Science at the American College of Greece in International Business and European Affairs, I briefly worked at the US Embassy of Athens before accepting a job in NYC and beginning my graduate studies at New York University in Global Affairs. In the end, my fascination with people’s behavior and interaction would ultimately help pave the route to becoming a matchmaker.

What's your most challenging client been, to date?
Challenging is such a relative term. So many of my clients are awesome and amazing, who let me do my job instead of dictating, which leads to successful relationships. The most challenging clients I have had are those who fail to accept the realistic expectations I have tried to communicate from the beginning.

How are you marketing out your services?
I would attribute about eighty percent of my company to word of mouth. It is an incredible tool. Additionally, I rely heavily on editorial pieces and my singles events, especially within the Greek community, which is my core demographic. Moreover, I’m invested in social media. Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Tumblr... Finally, Google search has been really good to me.

How do you want to work with idating sites?
I receive hundreds of requests from Greeks in the international diaspora and Greece every month. As a niche dating site, I believe there is certainly room to expand within the iDating world, attributing many of the elements I already use. I am looking forward to the 2012 iDate Conference in Miami to further explore these routes.