Month: January 2024

Announcing LTR Edition 28 With Rakesh Yadav (Client Solutions Manager – Dating, DACH at TikTok) and Neil Davis (Chief Business Officer at RealMe)

Posted on January 3, 2024

LTR logo for social mediaOPW – Edition 28 of the LTR (Love, Tech, Relationships) online experience will be on Wed, Jan 10th at 1PM EST (New York time). In this edition Rakesh Yadav, Client Solutions Manager – Dating, DACH at TikTok,  will present "Dating on TikTok – How Dating Companies Are Winning on TikTok."  We will also have a presentation from Neil Davis, Chief Business Officer at RealMe on Dating Safety: Cost or Revenue, After-thought or By-design and How the Garbo Experiment Actually Proved the Model.

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 28 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.

LGBTQ+ Dating App Blued Unveils Upgrade to Online Community HeeSay

Posted on January 3, 2024

HeeSay screenshotsMACAU BUSINESS – The "Blued international version," initially a gay dating app, has transitioned into "HeeSay," an expanded online community platform. HeeSay aims to offer a wider range of social features, including post publishing, live broadcasting, and voice rooms, catering to the LGBTQ+ community's diverse social and expressive needs. The initiative reflects a shift from dating to a more inclusive approach, encouraging connections, content sharing, and personal expression.

See full article at Macau Business

See the top news on Blued

Online Dating Safety Law Takes Effect in Utah

Posted on January 3, 2024

New lawKUTV – Utah's new Online Dating Safety Law, House Bill 18, aims to enhance safety for users of dating apps. Sponsored by Rep. Angela Romero, it requires dating apps to disclose background check policies, provide safety tips, and inform users about banned individuals. The law was prompted by a BYU study highlighting risks of sexual assault from online dating encounters, especially among vulnerable populations. It mandates clear reporting mechanisms for violence or scams and emphasizes the importance of consent. The bill, which received unanimous support and was signed by Governor Spencer Cox, reflects a move towards greater transparency and user protection in online dating.

by Daniel Woodruff
See full article at KUTV

Tinder Celebrates Fluid Gen Z Connections for Online Dating’s Biggest Marketing Moment

Posted on January 3, 2024

Tinder It Starts With a Swipe campaignADWEEK – Tinder's "It Starts With a Swipe" campaign targets Dating Sunday, the first Sunday of January and the busiest day for online dating, when Tinder sees a 22% surge in messages and an 18% increase in likes. The campaign emphasizes Gen Z's fluid relationship styles and aims to reshape Tinder's hookup image, focusing on emotional connections and inclusivity.

by Brittaney Kiefer
See full article at Adweek

See the top news on Tinder

Dua.com’s Year of Growth: User and Revenue Surge

Posted on January 2, 2024

Dua.com logoLINKEDIN – In 2023, dua.com, a dating app focused on international migrants and diaspora communities, notably increased its operational and financial metrics. The company raised a total of $4.9M through Seed and Series A funding rounds. It saw a 250% growth in app users, reaching 1.4M, alongside a 250% increase in Annual Recurring Revenue to $4.2M. The team expanded to 73 members, reflecting a 59% growth.

See full article at LinkedIn

See the top news on Dua.com

Dating Apps in Korea Overflowing With Men, but Women Use Them More

Posted on January 2, 2024

Tinder KoreaKOREA HERALD – In South Korea, major dating apps are predominantly used by men, comprising ~80% of users, yet women use the services almost twice as long as men. Tinder is the most popular, with 84.2% male users, followed by other apps like Wippy, Glam, and Yangting with similarly high male percentages. Despite the male dominance in user numbers, women spend on average nearly four hours a month on these apps, compared to two hours for men. The highest usage comes from individuals in their twenties.

by Yoon Min-sik
See full article at Korea Herald

See the top news on Tinder

Need Some Help?

Posted on January 1, 2024

CourtlandBrooks logoOPW – It can be tough running a dating service / app. The Courtland Brooks team can help you. We've been working for and with dating and matchmaking and social discovery services for an era.

For the price of a marketing manager you can get access to our seasoned team of online dating professionals. See Testimonials here. See pricing and service overview. Email mark@courtlandbrooks.com or simply book an opening call here.

Shareholders at Risk: Spark Networks’ Restructuring Raises Alarm

Posted on January 1, 2024

SparkNetworks logoWIRTSCHAFTSWOCHE – Shareholders of the German digital company Spark Networks face potential total loss due to a restructuring plan involving the US hedge fund MGG Investment Group. The plan, facilitated by Germany's StaRUG law, aims to save the financially troubled company outside of bankruptcy proceedings. If approved, MGG would acquire all shares at a nominal price, raising concerns among shareholders about deliberate mismanagement and forced expropriation. The situation reflects broader apprehensions about the StaRUG law's implications for investor rights and the growing trend of restructuring processes that sideline small shareholders in favor of major creditors.

by Florian Weyand
See full article at WirtschaftsWoche

See the top news on Spark Networks

Hinge Is Projected to Rake in $400M in 2023

Posted on January 1, 2024

Hinge bannerFORTUNE – In 2017, Hinge CEO Justin McLeod reported company earnings of less than $1M, but by 2023, anticipates revenues to exceed $400M. The surge in growth is attributed to word-of-mouth marketing, technological advancements, and a focus on authenticity, making the app 20 times more effective in arranging dates than before. McLeod emphasizes the importance of enhancing user experience to sustain growth and rejects theories of limiting matches for free-tier users. He envisions AI as a key driver for efficiency in dating, aiming to streamline the matchmaking process and help users find compatible partners quicker and with less effort.

by Ruth Umoth
See full article at Fortune

See the top news on Hinge

Filteroff App Review: Streamlining Dating With Quick Video Dates and Matchmaking

Posted on January 1, 2024

FilterOff logoTHE SUN – Filteroff is a video-based dating app that offers quick, 10-minute virtual dates, aiming to streamline the dating process with a focus on video calls rather than text. The app uses AI to provide daily matches, and its premium feature, Matchmaker Pro, allows for personalized matchmaking and dating advice. While this service helps filter out incompatible matches and sets up video dates, the experience doesn't guarantee finding a partner and can lead to mismatches, as was the case with distant or less desirable dates. The app's approach aims to save users time and avoid awkward interactions, but like all dating, it has its limitations and doesn't assure romantic success.

by Nancy Jiang
See full article at The Sun

See the top news on FilterOff