BUSINESSWORLD – Matrimony.com reported a net profit of INR 11.70 crore (~$1.4M) for the July-September quarter, down from INR 16.57 crore ($1.99M) the previous year. Total income for the quarter was INR 119.07 crore (~$14.27M), up from INR 113.90 crore ($13.65M) last year. Matrimony has launched RainbowLuv matchmaking app to serve the LGBT community along with Techiematrimony, which is an exclusive matchmaking services to those in the information technology sector.
Month: May 2024
Match-Owned Archer Hits Over Half a Million Installs
TECH CRUNCH – Despite a general slump in the dating app industry, Match Group's Archer app has achieved ~685K downloads since its launch last year. Aimed at gay, bi, and queer men, Archer offers a fresh take on the gay dating scene by incorporating safety features like AI-monitored chats and selfie verification to combat negative behaviors like body shaming and racism. The app distinguishes between casual and serious daters with different user interfaces. With 74% of its users looking for friendships, Archer is focusing on community-building features and plans to introduce a Stories feature and more AI integrations in the future. Match Group is investing significantly in AI, planning to spend $20-30M in 2024 and collaborating with OpenAI.
Match Group Key Safety Features
AXIOS – Match Group invests heavily in online dating safety, spending $125M annually on trust and safety initiatives. The company utilizes AI and manual moderation tools to scan profiles for red flags, review suspicious activity, and detect fraudulent accounts. Notable safety features include:
- Photo Verification
- Anti-Harassment Prompts: The "Are You Sure?" feature uses AI to prompt users to reconsider sending potentially offensive messages.
- Safety Center: Provides resources, tips, and information on safe dating practices.
- Share My Date and Long Press Reporting: These features enable users to share date details for safety and easily report offensive messages directly from the chat.
Bumble CEO, Breaking Barriers Song
OPW – Yesterday the BBC ran a news item about the CEO of Bumble. Here’s a little song about it.
WhiteLabelDating Announces Shift From Revenue-Sharing to SaaS Model, Ending Traditional Partnerships
OPW – WhiteLabelDating (WLD), a division of Venntro Media Group, is terminating its long-standing revenue-sharing model and will not accept new applications as it transitions to a new Software as a Service (SaaS) model starting April 30, 2024. The traditional model will be completely phased out by May 31, 2024, as WLD shifts to offer a SaaS-based approach planned for release in late summer 2024. This marks a significant pivot in WLD's business strategy, reflecting broader shifts within the industry but also raising concerns about the impacts on existing partnerships and the overall sustainability of its network of affiliates and branded dating services. WLD has encouraged its partners to join a mailing list for updates and further information about the transition and the future services under the new model.
Lidiane Jones on Overcoming Gender Barriers in Tech as Bumble’s CEO
BBC – Lidiane Jones, the CEO of Bumble, stands out in the tech industry not only due to her unique background—being the daughter of a mechanic and a cleaner from São Paulo—but also because she is a woman in a male-dominated field. With over 20 years of experience in software engineering and product management, including leadership roles at Sonos and Slack, Jones has faced numerous challenges related to the lack of female representation in tech. She emphasizes the importance of resilience and leveraging a network of female leaders, including Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd, for support and inspiration. Jones encourages women to believe in themselves and not to waste energy on self-doubt. Bumble faces significant challenges, with its share value declining sharply since its IPO and intense competition. Jones remains focused on overcoming these hurdles to improve Bumble's standing in the industry.
Dating Apps Are Here to Stay Despite Growing Discontent and Calls for Authentic Connections
COSMOPOLITAN – Online dating, once hailed as a revolutionary way to meet new people, now often leaves users disenchanted. Despite innovations like AI-powered features and revamped app functionalities, dissatisfaction persists among users. The novelty of swiping for potential partners has worn off, with many people, particularly from the Gen Z demographic, expressing frustration and dating app fatigue. As the original charm of dating apps fades, users are seeking more meaningful and authentic connections, often disillusioned by the superficial interactions that prevail. The future of dating may lie in video-first platforms, providing a more genuine experience, yet this shift may alienate users uncomfortable with digital self-presentation. Despite the flaws and frustrations, the consensus is that dating apps will continue to be a primary tool for forming relationships.
Bumble Introduces ‘Opening Move’ Feature to Simplify Starting Conversations
TECH CRUNCH – Bumble has launched a new feature called "Opening Move" to simplify the messaging process for women by allowing them to pre-write opening lines. This part of a larger app update also introduces options to preset questions, specify dating intentions, and enhance profile content. Bumble experimented with the Opening Move feature in various markets, including New Zealand and Australia, siad new CEO Lidiane Jones. According to Bumble, during the testing phase, the feature led to higher reply rates and longer conversations.
The League’s “Be a GoalDigger” Campaign Earned an Obie Award Nomination
LINKEDIN – The League's "Be a GoalDigger" campaign marks an innovative milestone for the dating app, which has long been perceived as catering exclusively to high-earning, Ivy-League-educated elites. Recently nominated for an Obie Award in the Combined Multi-OOH Formats, Transit & Copywriting category, this campaign represents The League's effort to correct misconceptions and broaden its appeal to include all ambitious, goal-oriented singles. For the past decade, constrained by a lean startup budget, The League's advertising efforts were largely confined to basic digital channels. Now, with the support of Match Group, the campaign has been able to expand into a full-scale, multi-channel marketing initiative.
