OPW – If you missed the monthly LTR online mini-conference for the dating industry, you can catch the prior LTR talks and interviews on Youtube here. Please subscribe and hit the bell icon so you can see when we load new LTR presentations. See http://www.LTR.us.
Month: October 2023
Announcing LTR Edition 27 With Snehil Khanor (CEO, TrulyMadly.com) and Anthony Volpe (Digital Marketing Veteran)
OPW – Edition 27 of the LTR (Love, Tech, Relationships) online experience will be on Wednesday, Nov 8th at 1PM EST (New York time). In this edition, we will hear from Snehil Khanor CEO of Indian dating app Truly Madly. We will also have a presentation from digital marketing veteran Anthony Volpe on an online dating case study he executed for a major player in the 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 27 speakers and invite page here.
Email mark@courtlandbrooks.com to RSVP.
This LTR is kindly sponsored by ParshipMeet Group, RealMe, along with Courtland Brooks and Matchmaker.com
Blued, China’s Biggest Gay Dating App Wants to Beat Grindr
REST OF WORLD – China's premier gay dating app, Blued, aims to surpass Grindr on the global stage despite facing domestic challenges due to censorship and competition. Founded in 2012 by Ma Baoli, Blued successfully navigated China's tight restrictions by aligning with state public health initiatives, offering HIV prevention and health services. Blued's parent company, BlueCity, went public in 2020 but faced profitability challenges. After a takeover by Newborn Town, Blued is focusing on expansion in Southeast Asia and the U.S., with plans to become the world's largest LGBTQIA social network. However, the app faces skepticism about its global prospects, particularly in saturated Western markets. The company is also likely to face scrutiny over data privacy and security as it expands in the West, particularly in light of previous concerns around Grindr's Chinese ownership.
by Viola Zhou & Andrew Deck
See full article at Rest of World
Half of Gen-Z Have Been Catfished: Should Dating Apps Have Mandatory Verifications?
YAHOO LIFE – Dating apps are under scrutiny as calls for mandatory profile verification grow louder. This demand comes in response to concerns about issues like catfishing and sextortion that can negatively impact user experience and the reputation of dating platforms. According to studies by The Cyber Helpline, 49% of Gen Z have been victims of sextortion catfishing crimes, with 90% having to make changes to their everyday life because of this, and 74% feeling it has impacted their physical safety. Mandatory profile verification can enhance user trust and reduce the risk of users encountering misleading or fake profiles.
Online Dating Is Very Good for Society
Gen Z Subscribers Steer Clear of Commitment
PYMNTS – Generation Z (Gen Z) consumers are showing a preference for shorter-term subscriptions over long-term commitments, according to a study by PYMNTS Intelligence. The same study found that Gen Z was disproportionately likely to cancel their subscriptions, because they deemed the subscription unnecessary. This may in part be because of how many subscriptions these young consumers hold at a time.
Tinder Gets More Social by Letting Friends Play Matchmaker
Feeld: the Dating App for Inclusivity and Honesty
NEW YORK TIMES – Feeld, which started as a dating app for couples and singles called 3nder in 2014, has, under Ana Kirova's leadership, positioned itself as a go-to for nonmonogamous, sex-positive and kinky people of all sexual orientations. It's also acquired a reputation as a space that fosters directness. Half of Feeld's users in the United States identify as something other than heterosexual, according to the company. Today, the company, which had about a dozen or fewer employees for many years, has ~100, with about one-third of those hired this year. Since receiving half a million dollars from an angel investor in 2016, Feeld says that it has remained profitable without any additional external support. Since 2015, it has offered subscription memberships. Recently, Feeld has also made the leap to IRL, hosting 31 in-person socials worldwide this year, with 200 attendees at each.
The League: a Dating App for Ambitious Individuals
CNBC – The League, a dating app criticized as "elitist," emphasizes matching goal-oriented individuals based on shared values and aspirations. Despite its initial label, it is open to all who share ambition, not just the wealthy. The app employs features like "GoalMates" to facilitate connections based on shared goals and offers a matchmaking service. Amanda Bradford, the founder, believes people are naturally drawn to those similar to themselves. Some of the app's controversial advertisements have stirred discussions. Overall, The League centers on connecting people with common ambitions and values.
How the Success of the Green Ring Experiment Boosted Thursday Dating App
LINKEDIN – Six months ago, the founder of dating app, Thursday, initiated an experiment called pearº. The idea was to eliminate the need for dating apps by introducing green rings that singles could wear to indicate their openness to real-world connections. Surprisingly, it worked better than expected, with numerous success stories pouring in. While some questioned if this move was counterintuitive, it turns out pearº has paved the way for Thursday's expansion into 115 cities across four continents by the end of the year. Sometimes, creating competition can lead to growth.