BFM RMC – Valentine’s Day no longer drives major dating pressure. Happn CEO Karima Ben Abdelmalek says 39% don’t mind being single, reflecting broader social acceptance and a shift toward intentional partner selection. Dating-app signups peak in January and summer, not February. Users now favor “slow dating” and personalized matches, while AI-generated fake profiles have pushed Happn to add reporting tools.
OPW – In 2025, we selected and summarized over 600 of the top news items mentioning 212 companies from the online dating industry. Tinder took the top spot, followed by Match Group and Hinge. Here’s the full list of dating companies that received the most press coverage last year:
1. Tinder – CEO Faye Iosotaluno was replaced by Spencer Rascoff who took over the brand in an attempt to reinvent it for Gen Z through safety tools, AI, and product experiments.
2. Match Group – hired a new CEO, Spencer Rascoff, but lost several long term C-level execs, acquired Her and Salams, and pivoted to AI and emerging markets.
3. Hinge – reached 15 MAU worldwide, launched in Mexico and Brazil and also launched new features, but ended the year with it’s founder and CEO Justin McLeod stepping down, being succeeded by the CMO, Jackie Jantos.
4. Grindr – saw a year of growth, with numerous new features launched, mostly AI and safety oriented. At the end of the year, he company experienced a buyout attempt, which ultimately failed due to financing uncertainty.
5. Bumble – Whitney Wolfe Herd returned as a CEO in an attempt to revive the company which lost over 90% of it’s market value in the last 4 years. The company announced major layoffs and shut down two previously acquired apps, Fruitz and Official. It launched Bumble BFF as a standalone app.
6. Happn – was acquired by Hello Group, introduced flexible relationship options, and launched AI powered “Perfect Date” tool.
7. Matrimony.com – invested in AI in and attempt to boost the growth, however later financial results showed rising costs and a year-on-year profit decline in Q2 FY2026. In December, the company announced a share buyback.
8. Three Day Rule – launched a “$1 Million Matchmaking” service, secured an investment from Palm Venture Studios. Later in the year, it introduced Tai, an AI-powered matchmaking app.
9.-10. Chapter2, Match.com, OkCupid, Sitch, Tea
Chapter 2 acquired M14 white label dating platform last year. Match.com released another Singles in America study in June. OkCupid was usually mentioned alongside other Match Group’s app and we also used several of OKCupid’s studies for posts last year. Sitch raised $6.7M and announced the U.S. expansion. Tea was first mentioned as a fast growing app that should help women spot red flags before a first date, but their news coverage quickly turned to negative with two hacks that exposed user data. In October, the app was removed from AppStore by Apple.
INDIA TODAY – A new happn survey shows that 54% of singles are comfortable with their partner forming an emotional bond with AI, signaling how normalized digital companionship has become, especially among Gen Z. Many daters now use AI chatbots for support, reassurance, and even romantic interaction because they’re always available, non-judgmental, and deliver “perfect answers” that feel emotionally validating. Experts say rising fatigue with dating and the convenience of AI are driving these “AI situationships.” But 41% of people still feel uneasy, and psychologists warn that emotional dependence on AI can blur reality, create unrealistic expectations, and even feel like cheating.
LTR – Mark Brooks sits down with Karima Ben Abdelmalek, CEO and President of happn, to delve into HelloGroup’s recent acquisition of the dating app. The conversation covers the app’s unique approach to location-based services, how happn differentiates itself in the competitive dating market, and the strategic changes implemented under Karima’s leadership. They also discuss the future plans for happn, focusing on deeper localization and enhancing user experiences, and how HelloGroup’s expertise will help facilitate these goals. Karima shares insights on maintaining the app’s core identity while adapting to evolving market demands.
[**See the video here on YouTube**]
The October LTR was kindly sponsored by Courtland Brooks
ELLE – According to a Happn survey, first dates carry a real mental load, especially for women. 58% say the first meeting is decisive for what follows, and 48% feel anxious beforehand; 15% have postponed and 10% have canceled because of stress. Among 18–25s, 45% report intense pre-date stress, and roughly one in two young women worry about how they’ll be judged. This pressure fuels over-planning – outfits, topics, venues – which strips away spontaneity. The healthier move is to pick a familiar place, accept small imperfections, and prioritize authenticity so the date feels lighter and more natural.
See full article at Elle
FINANCIAL TIMES – happn has been acquired by China’s Hello Group, owner of Momo and Tantan, to accelerate expansion into Asia, particularly China and Japan. The app, which uses geolocation to connect people who cross paths in daily life, has 170M registered users and has been profitable since 2019, with strong traction in India, Turkey, Brazil, and parts of Europe. Growth in the US has slowed, reflecting broader pressures on the industry. Karima Ben Abdelmalek, CEO of happn, stresses that the real challenge is not competition, but changing user behavior: people want to spend less time online. She argues the industry must “reinvent itself” by moving away from forcing endless swiping and chatting, and instead create “more reasonable” experiences where people meet faster and offline. For happn, this means leaning on its location-based strength, showing users others who go to the same venues, using AI to suggest places to meet, and expanding into features for socialising that go beyond dating. The Hello Group deal gives happn the scale and resources to adapt its model and push into new growth markets.
See full article at Financial Times
PRESS RELEASE – French dating app happn has been fully acquired by HelloGroup, a major Asian social and dating app operator, under a deal signed on Sep 2, 2025. The acquisition aims to strengthen happn’s position in existing markets (Europe, Latin America, India, Turkey) and drive expansion into Asia and Africa. Founded in 2014, happn has ~170M users worldwide and tripled its profits between 2022 and 2025 under President Karima Ben Abdelmalek’s “Smart Dating” strategy. HelloGroup, which operates apps like Momo and TanTan, sees the acquisition as a way to combine expertise and accelerate international growth.
DECCAN CHRONICLE – Dating app happn has launched Perfect Date, an AI-powered feature designed to reduce the stress of planning first dates. It offers personalized venue suggestions based on user profiles, habits, and preferences. In partnership with Foursquare, it integrates real-world location data for accurate, local recommendations. CEO Karima Ben Abdelmalek says the feature aims to support natural, thoughtful interactions, especially for Gen Z and millennials seeking low-pressure, authentic dating experiences. The tool functions like a real-time concierge, suggesting date spots tailored to mood, proximity, and shared interests.
NDTV – AI is becoming increasingly integrated into dating apps in India, with platforms like Bumble, Tinder, Hinge, Happn, and Aisle using it for profile optimization, match suggestions, fraud detection, and user safety. Match Group added AI tools in March 2025 to assist with photos, bios, and match selection. Bumble uses AI for fake profile detection and conversation starters, while Hinge and Tinder rely on AI to personalize user experiences. Challenges include data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, deepfake scams, and lack of emotional intelligence. While Indians use AI for relationship advice and self-reflection, most still prefer human input for matchmaking.
LINKEDIN- happn has launched a new campaign across the Paris metro network, focused on its core feature: helping users reconnect with people they’ve crossed paths with in real life. The campaign builds on a familiar moment, exchanging glances during a commute, and positions happn as the app that makes it possible to find that person again. The campaign was developed entirely in-house.
