OPW – Match Group has recently dropped its patent infringement lawsuit against Muslim dating app Muzz. Match Group filed a lawsuit against Muzz on March 23, 2023, in Texas, USA. In its complaint, Match Group alleged that Muzz infringed on its U.S. Patent No. 11,513,666. After discussions between the two companies, Muzz made changes to its app's functionality, which led Match Group to drop the case, stating it no longer believes Muzz's app infringes on its patent. Muzz responded by asserting that the lawsuit should not have been filed in the first place and hinted that Match Group's patent might be invalid. The dismissal of the lawsuit allows Muzz to continue operations without legal uncertainties.
Month: June 2023
Grindr’s Journey After IPO: Aiming to Become the Quintessential LGBTQ+ Super-App
CNBC – Grindr, a dating platform for LGBTQ+ men, went public seven months ago and is now trading ~$6 per share. Since going public, CEO George Arison has been engaging with investors and focusing on innovation. Grindr aims to become a "gay super-app", serving not just as a dating platform but also a social network and community space. It has plans for further monetization through advertisement-free offerings and targeted ads. The company is looking to expand internationally and is exploring the incorporation of artificial intelligence in its services. Grindr has ~13M monthly active users worldwide.
Soon: a New Dating App in San Francisco Prioritizes In-Person Meetups
SF GATE – Soon, a dating app launched in San Francisco on Valentine's Day, aims to address common issues of online dating by prioritizing immediate in-person meetups. Co-founded by Cora Kyler and Alena Titova, the app has garnered 6K users. Soon requires users to send an invitation for an in-person meeting as the first message after matching. The app has a unique feature called "Glimpse" which allows users to share a 10-second video clip about themselves visible only to their matches. It also limits daily swipes and offers in-person blind date mixers. Soon is free but plans to monetize through partnerships and a "relationship mode" for couples.
Match Group and Peacock Partner to Offer Free Streaming to Dating App Users
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER – Match Group has partnered with NBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock to offer a 3-month free subscription to Peacock for users of Match Group's apps. This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign aiming to give Peacock a more casual brand image. The campaign will also include editorial content and events related to major programming on Peacock. Match Group believes that favorite TV shows and movies are important common interests for singles, making the partnership beneficial for both parties in reaching and engaging consumers.
New Teaser AI Encourage Real Dates
BUSINESSWIRE – Teaser AI, developed by the team behind Dispo, is an AI-powered dating app aimed at enhancing user engagement and combating loneliness. The app uses AI to facilitate lively conversations and nudges users towards real-life dates. To promote active communication, Teaser AI assigns users a "ghost score" based on their conversation follow-through and limits the number of likes and matches to 16. Additionally, the app provides users with logs of AI chats as ice-breakers when they match. Teaser AI is available for download on the App Store.
Two-thirds of Brits Say Financial and Sexual Compatibility Are Equally Important in Dating
DAILY STAR – A survey of 2K British adults revealed that financial health and stability are highly valued traits in potential partners, with 38% of participants stating they are likely to be more attracted to someone who prioritizes their financial stability. 65% believe financial compatibility is as important as sexual compatibility in a relationship. Good financial health ranked higher than good looks, being in good shape, marriage, and starting a family. Additionally, 6% would like to see credit scores included in dating profiles, as 25% consider a bad credit score a turn-off.
Survey Finds Majority of Singles (83%) Turned off by AI Use in Dating Profiles
PR NEWSWIRE – FFWD (Fast-Forward) Dating, a new app currently in beta, introduces in-app video profiles to combat the frustration singles experience with the inauthenticity of traditional dating profiles. According to a survey conducted for FFWD, 78% of singles feel that photos and text in dating profiles don't accurately represent a person's personality, and 83% are turned off by the use of AI in profiles. The FFWD Dating Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research.
Announcing LTR Edition 24 With Shweta Khajuria (MD, Internet Equity Research at Evercore ISI) and Aaron S Jacobs (Patent Litigation Attorney)
OPW – Edition 24 of the LTR (Love, Tech, Relationships) online experience will be on Wed, July 12th at 1PM EST (New York time). In this edition, we will hear from Shweta Khajuria, MD, Internet Equity Research at Evercore ISI, who will talk about "Wall Street's View On Online Dating." Then Aaron S Jacobs, Patent Litigation Partner at Prince Lobel Tye LLP, will present "Understanding Patents in the Online Dating Industry."
We have a half-hour of networking on virtual tables, followed by 50 mins of presentations and another short networking session. 1.5 hours all-in.
If you hold a full-time leadership role at an Internet dating company, then you are welcome to join IDEA for free and welcome to join LTR events for free.
See the LTR Edition 24 speakers and invite page here.
Email mark@courtlandbrooks.com to RSVP.
This LTR is kindly sponsored by technology providers Livebox by The Meet Group, along with Courtland Brooks and Matchmaker.com
Tips to Boost Matches on Tinder by CMO Melissa Hobley
WELT.DE – Melissa Hobley, CMO at Tinder, offers her expert insight on online dating and how to improve one's profile for more matches. Contrary to popular belief among Millennials who perceive Tinder as a one-night-stand app, Hobley reveals that ~55% of Tinder users have had a serious relationship with someone they matched with on the platform. She suggests Generation Z has a healthier approach to online dating, focusing more on authenticity than image curation. Hobley recommends focusing on one's story rather than appearance. Listing elements such as life-changing events, favorite books, unforgettable journeys, and top songs can attract more people and encourage conversation. Profile photos should tell a story too. Hobley also advises dedicating specific time to dating, rather than treating it as an afterthought. Profiles that get verified on Tinder have a 10% higher swipe rate, so it is recommended to do so.
Muzz Takes Its Matchmaking on the Road
NEW YORK TIMES – ~250 Muslims have gathered at a halal Italian restaurant in Brooklyn for a singles dating event hosted by Muzz, a London-based Muslim dating app with 8M users worldwide. The event provided an environment for young Muslims to meet potential partners while respecting their faith, culture, traditions, and family values. Attendees received color-coded stickers to facilitate introductions, with the ultimate goal of helping them "meet the one." Muzz, founded in 2011, claims to have facilitated marriages for 400K couples. The company has hosted similar events in other North American cities, including Toronto, Jersey City, New York, and Baltimore, as well as in London and Dubai.