Month: October 2023

FITFCK Sets Eyes on £5M Funding

Posted on October 31, 2023

FITFCK logoLONDON DAILY POST – Fitness dating brand, FITFCK, plans to launch a £5M A-Round fundraise following a successful earlier funding in 2022. Backers include OnlyFans Founder, Tim Stokely. Since its rebranding in March 2022, FITFCK has gained popularity among gym enthusiasts, partnering with Fitness First and launching an app for both iOS and Android. The brand is expanding its offerings with products like underwear and energy drinks. The company aims to expand to the US fitness dating market in 2024.

by Natalie Roberts
See full article at London Daily Post

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HubPeople Unveils AI Tool for Quick Development of Dating Platforms

Posted on October 31, 2023

Hubpeople.ai logoBUSINESS MANCHESTER – HubPeople has launched Hubpeople.ai, an AI tool aimed at assisting digital entrepreneurs in developing online dating and social discovery platforms swiftly. This tool utilizes generative AI to facilitate the quick creation of apps, focusing on user safety, customization, and comprehensive infrastructure. It connects to a broad user database and supports multiple currencies and languages.

by Sam Allcock
See full article at Business Manchester

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Elon Musk Said He Wants X to Be a Dating App, Too

Posted on October 31, 2023

XBUSINESS INSIDER – On the anniversary of Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter, he suggested in a company-wide video meeting that the platform, referred to as 'X', could evolve into a dating service by 2024. This idea aligns with Musk's broader vision of making 'X' an "everything app" similar to WeChat, encompassing features that require payment. Musk also sees 'X' functioning as a digital bank by next year. However, employees and insiders remain skeptical, with questions about the platform's financial health and future direction going unanswered.

by Kali Hays
See full article at Business Insider

Top Reasons Gen Z And Millennials Ghost, According to Survey

Posted on October 31, 2023

GhostingMEN'S JOURNAL – ~84% of Gen Zers and Millennials have experienced ghosting, according to a survey by the Thriving Center of Psychology. The primary reasons people ghost are a lack of interest in continuing the relationship (64%), wanting to avoid confrontation (56%), feeling stressed or overwhelmed (44%), and a lack of connection (41%). Some also ghost due to being offended (39%) or mental health struggles (29%). Most respondents linked ghosting with online dating, and feelings post-ghosting vary from relief to guilt and regret.

by Stacey Ritzen
See full article at Men's Journal

Taiwan’s Government Pushes Matchmaking to Counter Declining Birthrate

Posted on October 31, 2023

Alarmed by a plummeting birthrate Taiwanese officials are helping to organize singles eventsLOS ANGELES TIMES – In Taiwan, the government is actively promoting marriage and childbirth to address a concerning decline in the nation's birthrate. During matchmaking events, local officials encourage singles to pair up swiftly and start families. The country's fertility rate hit a historic low of 0.87 in 2022, intensifying concerns about an aging population and its potential socio-economic impact. This is reflective of a broader trend across East Asia, where countries are grappling with declining fertility rates. Despite these efforts, many in Taiwan remain ambivalent about marriage and childbirth, often citing economic pressures and societal changes. Some initiatives from the government include offering relationship courses at universities and potential use of AI in matchmaking.

by Stephanie Yang & David Shen
See full article at Los Angeles Times

Swiping Left on Online Dating: the Return to Real-Life Connections

Posted on October 31, 2023

Swiping Left on Online Dating. The Return to Real-Life ConnectionsTHE GUARDIAN – For the past ten years, dating apps have been a central part of the dating scene. However, a growing number of individuals are becoming disillusioned with the swiping culture and are exploring alternatives. Some reasons for the disillusionment include fake profiles, the superficial nature of app-based interactions, and the negative impacts on mental well-being. Tinder, one of the world's most popular dating apps, saw its user base drop by 5% in 2021. Furthermore, over 90% of Gen Z expresses frustration with dating apps. People are now searching for alternative methods to meet potential partners. Some are revisiting old practices like being set up by friends or family, while others are trying out new methods like wearing a "Pear ring," indicating they're open to being approached. Other alternatives include "slow dating" events, workshops focused on flirting, and single mixers.

by Robyn Vinter
See full article at The Guardian

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Tinder and the Old-fashioned Art of Matchmaking

Posted on October 30, 2023

Tinder Matchmaker feature1FINANCIAL TIMES – Tinder's 'Matchmaker' enables parents and friends to recommend dates and bring "your circle of trust into your dating journey". Mark Brooks, a consultant to dating apps [Courtland Brooks], says "Indian apps have been doing this for years." Matrimonial sites such as Shaadi.com let users say if their profile was created by themselves, a sibling, friend or parent. For those in the west, Brooks says, matchmaking features can be "amusing", even "transformative". We can be delusional about ourselves and our interests – notably our athleticism. "Some people really need a little reality check . . . Friends or family can spot potential red flags in profiles."

Colleen Sinclair, Professor at Louisiana State Uni., conducted an experiment to see if Americans would take advice regarding online dates. "Friends tend to be the primary source of relationship advice. Ultimately when you have lots of choices we like things that help us narrow them down. Whenever we're in a situation which [has] no script, our instinct is to go to others for help."

A recent Stanford University study found a large % of Tinder users were not looking for dates, with almost two-thirds already in a relationship. One of the authors said many "reported using the app for social connectedness, entertainment and distraction". As a parent, the prospect of checking out an offspring’s dating life is tantalising. Interfering might not ruin a budding relationship, but this constant presence does little to cultivate independence.

by Emma Jacobs
See full article at Financial Times

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92% of American Adults Prefer to Date People Who’ve Been to Therapy

Posted on October 26, 2023

Pure iconCNBC – A survey by dating app Pure found that 92% of American adults favor dating individuals who've undergone therapy. 70% are open to discussing mental health early in relationships, and half appreciate therapy being mentioned on a first date. Psychotherapist Esther Perel sees pros and cons to this new reality. In a June interview with Vanity Fair, she explained how the shift to more transparency about emotional health and the benefits of counseling have created a space where more people can develop greater self-awareness and prioritize self-reflection. At the same time, some people might hide behind "therapy speak" or use it to push others away, she added.

by Renée Onque
See full article at CNBC

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LGBTQ+ Online Dating: a Historical Overview

Posted on October 26, 2023

Gay.net bannerTHE BAY AREA REPORTER – In 1993, Andy Cramer, the CEO of Caregiving Network, founded Gay.Net, one of the earliest platforms for gay men, especially during the HIV/AIDS crisis. This bulletin board system (BBS) later merged with Gay.com, reaching 4M users by 1999. Back in 1987, Jean Marie Diaz in the U.S. established Sappho, a hub for lesbian email lists. Amy Goodloe further expanded the online lesbian community with lesbian.org in the mid-1990s. In 1999, Gary Frisch and Henry Badenhorst introduced Gaydar, offering chat rooms for queer men. OkCupid launched in 2004 and, while not exclusively LGBTQ+, became popular within the queer community. By 2021, it had broadened its gender and sexual orientation identifiers to 60, collaborating with organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD. Joel Simkhai launched Grindr in 2009, the first geolocation dating app specifically for gay men, later expanding its offerings and user base. After leaving Grindr, Simkhai founded Motto, a dating app that aimed to counter "toxicity and discrimination" in some queer dating platforms. In 2015, Robyn Exton established HER, originally known as Dattch, as a platform for the "FLINTA (female, lesbian, intersex, trans, and agender) community," focusing on both dating and community aspects. Tser stands as a dating app for the transgender community, presenting itself as both a dating platform and social community for trans individuals and allies.

by Michele Zipkin
See full article at The Bay Area Reporter

Festival Romance: Bumble’s Insight Into India’s Dating Trends and Preferences

Posted on October 26, 2023

Bumble logoHINDUSTAN TIMES – Bumble's study reveals that 63% of Indians are interested in festival dating. During India's festive season, 36% prefer celebrating with friends, and 27% with their partners. 18% are open to finding a festive date when away from home. For couples, 48% enjoy festive shopping together, and 42% attend festive parties as a duo. However, 30% feel self-conscious about being single during festivals. Another 32% feel pressured to find a date, with Millennials feeling this more than GenZers. Tips for festival dating include normalizing feelings, prioritizing self-love, and enjoying the experience without undue pressure. The survey was conducted among 2,003 adults in India.

See full article at Hindustan Times

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