INSAUGA – Oct 22 – Spark, a dating app that launched in Canada last summer, is launching the 'Change My Mind' feature that enables singles to upload a 20-second video stating their opinion on a popularly divisive topic, and other users can respond with a video of their own. One of Spark's recent surveys found 82% of Canadian singles said they are more attracted to people with passionate opinions. The same survey found 70% of respondents said they enjoy debating light-hearted topics with a date, while 73% consider debating with someone to be a form of flirting.
Month: October 2020
Facebook Dating Launches in Europe After 9-month+ Delay Over Privacy Concerns
TECH CRUNCH – Oct 21 – From today, European Facebook users can opt into Facebook Dating by creating a profile at facebook.com/dating. Among the dating product's main features are the ability to share Stories on users' profile; a Secret Crush feature that let people select up to nine of their Facebook friends or Instagram followers who they'd like to date (without them knowing unless they also add them – triggering a match notification); the ability to see people with similar interests; and a video chat feature called Virtual Dates. Since the launch of Facebook's dating product in 20 countries around the world – including the U.S. and a number of markets in Asia and LatAm – the company says ~1.5B matches have been "created".
Ethnicity Filters on Dating Apps Raise Questions About Romantic Discrimination
by Jacklin Kwan
See full article at Mancunian Matters
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Grindr Features Failing to Protect Users From Sexual Predators
ABC – Oct 21 – LGBT Australians have criticized Grindr for allowing predators to easily create new profiles, despite reporting them for harassment or assault. Grindr users only need an email address to create a new profile and no other verification information, like a mobile phone number, is necessary. Unlike other dating apps such as Tinder, Grindr users don't opt-in by swiping on a profile and agreeing to message with someone. That means anyone can message anyone on the app. Grindr also limits the number of times a person can block someone on the app. Users can only block ten profiles per day; unlimited blocking is only available to people who pay for Grindr's premium version.
Bumble’s Emoji Reaction Feature Makes Talking to Matches Easier
ELITE DAILY – Oct 21 – Bumble users can now make the first move by sending an emoji. The emoji will only be shared if the two people match, and there's no need to add a message. There are nine emoji options to choose from, including the heart-eye smiley face, the "see no evil" monkey, and a pair of clapping hands. The emoji feature could serve as a low-pressure means to to kicking off a conversation.
The CEO of Hinge Reveals How to Improve Company Culture and Prevent Burnout
BUSINESS INSIDER – Oct 21 – For Hinge founder and CEO Justin McLeod, the pandemic has brought with it a set of unique challenges and stressors. Hinge transitioned its employees to working from home in March. Since then, its employees reported feeling more stressed and burned out. McLeod said that the company has conducted several employee engagement surveys. Using the data, they're able to distill the biggest concerns that need to be addressed, and develop an action plan. But data can't tell you everything. You also need to regularly communicate with your employees when you have face time. McLeod begins his meetings with a brief employee check-in. The engagement surveys helped Hinge realize that workers were burning out. So the company introduced initiatives like "Unplug Fridays," which allowed Hinge employees to work four days every other week in the summer. They also implemented "No Meeting Tuesdays" to prevent employees from feeling constantly stuck in virtual meetings.
Match Not Seeing ‘Much of an Impact’ From Facebook as Company Invests in Video
DALLAS BUSINESS JOURNAL – Oct 21 – "While we're watching to see what Facebook does do, it doesn't actually change much of our strategy," says CEO Shar Dubey. The company is investing in video. "I have personally been a huge believer in the power of video in sort of bridging the gap between online messaging and then the first time you actually go on a date with someone," Dubey said.
SeekingArrangemet Survey: Monogamy Losing Popularity
TORONTO SUN – Oct 20 – SeekingArrangement says it has 10M active members in North America, 8M of those being potential Sugar Babies and 2M being Sugar Daddies (and Mommas). In the past, Brandon Wade, the head of SeekingArrangment, has said the platform does nothing more than bring out into the open the role money plays in mating. The site's survey found out that 66% of respondents said they were open to their partners exploring sexual companionship outside of the primary relationship. In Canada, the statistics are that 4% and 5% have taken part in some form of non-monogamy. However, polls of younger Canadians (and younger people in the U.S.) suggest that the figures are much higher, likely around 10%. Still, a 2018 poll found 96% of Canadians describe their relationship as monogamous; 4% in relationships said theirs was open.
Q&A With CEO of Wingman Dating App
KATU – Oct 21 – Tina Wilson, CEO of dating app Wingman, talks about her dating app where users' friends and family write the profile and pick dates for them.
Bumble Survey Findings Show a Shift Towards ‘Slow Dating’
TIMES OF INDIA – Oct 21 – Bumble's recent survey shows that 70% of Bumble users in India claim there is a change in their behaviour and attitude towards dating as compared to before the pandemic. 81% claim they are more open to taking their time getting to know someone. 78% of single Indians are talking for a longer period, and having better quality chats, using Voice Calls and Video chat features in the app. People are spending ~20 mins on average on a video chat or voice call on Bumble in India.