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Month: November 2023
Yelp, Strava and Duolingo Are…Dating Apps?
WALL STREET JOURNAL – On the internet, every app can be a dating app. Striking up a conversation on a service where you know someone shares your interests can feel more natural than sifting through dating apps, former dating-service users say. Online dating also has become more expensive, with subscriptions that can cost more than a monthly Netflix plan. Fewer people are willing to pay up, as the companies' financial reports have shown.
by Ann-Marie Alcántara
See full article at Wall Street Journal
Mark Brooks: Dating apps help people get the tough questions out of the way right up front. Using other apps for dating is possible but can be kinda creepy and undermine the culture of those non-dating apps. Case in point, remember when Meetup banned singles events and groups in 2016!? Dating apps need to help people find commonality and harmony, get onto quick video dates, and then prep them for real dates. We can do more to help people with pre-date preparation and other services/values. There is much more value that we can unlock.
Ex-Tinder Boss Is Launching Meeno, AI Relationship Mentor App
EURONEWS – Renate Nyborg, former CEO of Tinder, believes loneliness is a significant modern threat, comparable to the climate crisis. She observes a growing trend, especially among Gen Z (18-25 year-olds), who increasingly desire to meet people organically rather than through dating apps. Nyborg is launching Meeno, an app utilizing AI to address relationship challenges and combat loneliness. Meeno, unlike a dating app, acts as a personal mentor, guiding users in understanding relationships and helping them become their best selves. It aims to foster real-life connections rather than virtual ones.
by Marta Rodriguez Martinez, Tom Goodwin & Naira Davlashyan
See full article at EuroNews
AI Apps Assist Singles in Dating Through Text Analysis and Response Suggestions
KVUE – AI is being increasingly used in dating apps to help users improve their communication skills. Apps like Keys AI and Your Move AI analyze text conversations and suggest responses to enhance user interaction. A Bumble survey found that 46% of U.S. users feel more confident with AI assistance in messaging. Keys AI, gaining half a million users since early 2022, offers response suggestions based on conversation analysis. Your Move AI, similarly, helps users manage repetitive interactions on dating apps. However, this technology also raises concerns about authenticity and the impact on genuine human connection.
Podcast – the Dating Brain in the Digital Age
Hyperconnect’s Azar Celebrates Strong Q3 Growth in European Market
PR NEWSWIRE – Hyperconnect's real-time video communication platform, Azar, experienced significant Q3 download growth in the European market, achieving double-digit YoY download rates in France (60%), Germany (32%), and the UK (72%), according to Sensor Tower. Azar, allowing communication without country or language restrictions, ranked first in the Apple App Store's social networking category across 5 countries in Oct 2023. The platform's growth in Italy and Spain, with rates of 17.7% and 18.5%, respectively, also contributed to its success. Hyperconnect's strategic local marketing activities, such as participating in music festivals and hosting offline events, supported Azar's rapid expansion in the European market.
See full article at PR Newswire
This post also appears on Very Social Network
eHarmony Revamps With a New Look
LINKEDIN – eHarmony has introduced a new design, refreshing its look with a modern wordmark, vibrant color palette, and a sleek icon. This redesign aims to improve the user experience, emphasizing the brand's focus on meaningful connections.
Grindr Content Moderators Are Facing a Mental Health Crisis, Says New Report
THEM – Outsourced content moderators for dating apps like Grindr are experiencing a mental health crisis due to the disturbing content they encounter and inadequate support, reports the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. These workers, based in countries like Honduras, the Philippines, and Brazil, face anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms from reviewing reports of sexual assault, homophobic violence, child abuse, and murder. Grindr, which outsourced most content moderation to PartnerHero, reportedly requires a high productivity standard with little mental health support until 2020. Despite improvements, many moderators are unaware of these resources. Working conditions within Grindr itself made the news earlier this year when the company announced a strict return-to-office policy that would require employees to work from either Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Chicago.
Spark Networks SE Undergoes Financial Restructuring
LAW 360 – Spark Networks SE, the parent company of Zoosk, is taking significant steps to restructure its finances due to recent challenges. Initially, the company filed a restructuring plan in a German Court under the StaRUG law, a framework for stabilizing companies in financial distress. Subsequently, to align this process in the U.S., they filed a petition under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. This move is not a typical bankruptcy but a strategic effort to reorganize and stabilize the company's finances globally. The aim is to ensure smoother operations and financial health across both German and U.S. jurisdictions.
Tinder Redesigns Profile Pages With Prompts, Info Tags and Quiz
