HINGE - Hinge has launched "Your Turn Limits," a feature aimed at increasing responsiveness by requiring users with many unanswered messages to respond or end conversations before connecting with new matches. In testing, it boosted responsiveness by 20%, with 48% of users focusing more on quality over quantity of matches.
Hinge Introduces 'Your Turn Limits' to Boost Responsiveness and Quality Matches
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Activists Push for Change at Match Group Following Post-Pandemic Slowdown and Valuation Drop
FINANCIAL TIMES - Starboard Value revealed in July that it had built a 6.6% position in Match Group. Elliott Investment Management, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence, amassed a stake of 4.5% earlier this year and got Match to add two new board members and sign an information-sharing pact. Anson Funds Management, a smaller fund, also has a stake. Activists have good reasons to push for change. Dating apps enjoyed a surge in popularity during Covid-19 but have struggled with a post-pandemic slowdown in growth. At its 2021 peak, Match was worth ~$50B. Its value now stands at just $9.3B. Bumble, which went public in 2021, is down 90 % since its IPO. Match still remains highly cash-generative, with $829M in free cash flow last year. Starboard thinks there is an upside if Match can turn around Tinder, cut costs and ramp up buybacks. The activist sees potential in Hinge. However, it also urged Match to consider selling itself if it cannot revitalize the business.
See full article at Financial Times
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Tinder Launches 'Take Action Center' to Mobilize Young Voters for 2024 Elections
TINDER PRESS ROOM - Tinder has launched a 'Take Action Center' powered by Vote.org to help single voters, particularly those under 36 using dating apps, engage in the November 2024 elections. A survey shows that 70% of these "Tinder Singles" plan to vote, making them a significant voting bloc. The 'Take Action Center' provides registration info, polling locations, and voting resources directly through the app. Tinder has also teamed up with Vote.org to host a voter outreach event at the Eras Tour in Indianapolis. This initiative continues Tinder's efforts to boost voter turnout and support reproductive rights.
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Bumble Funds Screenings of Hillary Clinton's Pro-Abortion Documentary Ahead of Election
BREITBART - Bumble is funding free screenings of Zurawski v. Texas, a pro-abortion documentary produced by Hillary Clinton, ahead of November's presidential election. The documentary, which opens on September 24 in Austin, follows women suing Texas after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Bumble, known for its role in modernizing dating culture, is backing this initiative as part of its ongoing social advocacy efforts.
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Instagram Emerges as the New Dating Hub Amid Swipe Fatigue
BUSINESS INSIDER - Instagram is increasingly being used for dating as users grow tired of traditional dating apps. People are flirting by viewing and liking each other's Stories, sliding into DMs, and curating their profiles to attract attention. Influencers like Serena Kerrigan have built dating communities on Instagram, where connecting feels more personal than on apps like Tinder or Bumble. Meta is aware of this trend and is enhancing Instagram's features, such as Story comments and Notes, to make flirting and dating easier on the platform.
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Single to Shaadi Offers Traditional Matchmaking for South Asian Americans
NBC NEWS - Single to Shaadi is a marriage-focused platform for South Asian Americans seeking traditional matchmaking. Founded by Radha Patel in Dallas, the service began as a hobby and now boasts ~1K clients. NBC News Steven Romo interviews Patel and clients who have successfully found marriage through the platform.
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Updated Financial Reports for Public Online Dating Companies
OPW - We have released updated PDFs that include the latest quarterly financial results for public online dating and matchmaking companies. These documents include detailed graphs of each company's quarterly revenues, net income, and the number of paying users (when available). Additionally, we've included a stock performance graph for each company, comparing it to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 indices where applicable.
The companies covered are:
- Match Group
- Bumble
- ParshipMeet Group
- Grindr
- Matrimony.com (Online matchmaking and marriage services company based in India)
- Hello Group (Chinese social networking and entertainment company, formerly known as Momo Inc.)
- IBJ (Japanese matchmaking company)
You can download the PDFs by visiting the OPW homepage and clicking on the "Latest Financial Reports" link at the top right, under the "What We Do" section.
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Schmooze, an India-based AI-powered Dating App, Raises $4M
INC42 - Schmooze, a meme-based dating app from India, has raised $4M in a Series A funding round led by Elevation Capital. Founded in 2021, Schmooze matches users based on their meme preferences and sense of humor. The platform, which originally launched in the US before focusing on India, has attracted ~1M users in 10 months. The fresh capital will be used to enhance AI capabilities, scale user acquisition, expand content offerings, and target Tier II and III cities.
by Krithika K L
See full article at INC42
This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.com
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Feeld Dating App Security Flaws Exposed Users' Private Data
THE GUARDIAN - Feeld, a UK-based dating app for alternative relationships, had security flaws that could have exposed users' messages, private photos, and profile details. Cybersecurity firm Fortbridge found these vulnerabilities, which allowed hackers with basic skills to access and change user data. Feeld says it fixed the issues within two months of being notified in March and claims no evidence of a data breach. Feeld did not inform users or regulators to avoid attracting hackers. However, they may face further investigation if any data was accessed.
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Wingman Dating App Engages Friends to Combat Gen Z Dating App Burnout
BUSINESS INSIDER - Tina Wilson, founder of Wingman, developed the app to involve friends in the dating process. Despite skepticism from industry insiders, Wilson believes Gen Z values the "karmic reward" of helping others find connections. Wingman's voice note feature allows friends to share insights, adding authenticity and encouraging better dating etiquette. The app aims to provide a fun alternative to mainstream dating platforms, which many users find have become too focused on profit and surface-level interactions.
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After, a Dating App From Austin, Launches First Marketing Campaign
DESIGNRUSH - After, a new dating app based in Austin, Texas, has launched its first marketing campaign targeting Gen Z singles. The campaign includes the "Crush Cache Clear Out Challenge," encouraging users to delete old matches for a chance to win $1,500 or a year's worth of dates. The promotion also features branded coffee sleeves in Austin coffee shops, reminding singles they deserve more than the "average Joe." A launch party on Sep 26 will include activities like donating an ex's clothes and professional profile photo shoots. Initially launching in Austin, After plans for a nationwide rollout.
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e.l.f. Cosmetics Teams up With Tinder for New Collection
COSMETIC DESIGN - e.l.f. Cosmetics has partnered with Tinder to launch the "Put Your e.l.f. Out There" Vault collection. This limited-edition line includes makeup products designed to boost confidence on first dates. The collection also offers perks like discounted Tinder Gold for U.S. and U.K. Beauty Squad members.
by Cassandra Stern
See full article at Cosmetic Design
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Match Group and Uber Team up for Safe Dating Guide for College Students
DALLAS INNOVATES - Match Group has partnered with Uber and nonprofit It's On Us to create a safe dating guide for college students. The guide offers safety tips for on- and off-campus dating, including using app-specific tools like Tinder's Verification and Uber's "Check Your Ride." It's available through It's On Us chapters, campus ambassadors, and online. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to promote safety and respect in college dating.
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Sober Dating App Club Pillar Offers an Alcohol-Free Alternative
FORBES - Club Pillar is a new members-only dating app designed for sober individuals and those who avoid alcohol. Founder Jessie Urvater created the platform to provide a space for sober and health-conscious people to meet, addressing the lack of dating options outside alcohol-focused venues. Unlike traditional dating apps, Club Pillar limits daily profiles and hosts in-person events to encourage real connections. The app aims to change the negative stigma around sobriety by offering a community for those who prefer alcohol-free dating.
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UK Train Operator Blocks Dating Apps on On-Board WiFi
BBC - Northern, a train operator in northern England, has reminded passengers that dating apps are blocked on its on-board WiFi. This policy, which has been in place since 2017, is due to concerns over some apps lacking "appropriate self-moderation." The company also blocks video streaming, gambling, and adult content.
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