MASHABLE – Hinge has launched Match Note, a feature that lets users privately share key details with matches before starting a conversation. This allows daters to disclose aspects like being non-monogamous or sober without making them public on their profile.
SPOTIFY – Karima, CEO of Happn, joins In Her Shoes to discuss her journey and the success of the dating app, which has reached ~160M users worldwide. Happn offers a unique concept – giving people a second chance to connect with those they've crossed paths with in real life. Karima shares her background growing up in the South of France, her initial passion for law, and how she transitioned into tech, working with online platforms like Dailymotion before joining Happn. She reflects on the challenges and opportunities of becoming a CEO, emphasizing the importance of trusting oneself, taking risks, and empowering her team. Looking ahead, Karima envisions expanding Happn into emerging markets like India and Turkey, where dating app adoption is rising.
LTR – Steve Baker, former FTC director and fraud detection expert, discusses the evolution of trust and safety in online dating and the FTC’s new “Click to Cancel” rule. With 27 years at the FTC and 5 years at the Better Business Bureau, he has plenty to share about consumer fraud, deceptive subscription marketing, and the agency’s efforts to protect consumers from confusing auto-renewals and free trial scams. The new regulation, set to take effect on March 31, 2025, aims to provide simpler cancellations and impose more severe penalties for misleading claims, affecting businesses globally. Tune in as Baker breaks down its effects on online dating and consumer protection.
[**See the video here on Youtube**]
The January LTR was kindly sponsored by Dating Through Curiosity, RealMe, and Courtland Brooks
OPW – Mattr, a dating app focused on creating a safer and more inclusive experience, is currently raising funds on Crowdcube, with £121,286 secured from 72 investors towards its £150,000 target. The company has previously raised over £400,000 from angel investors and ADA Ventures. The funds from this round will go toward marketing and platform development as Mattr works to grow its user base and introduce monetization.
AHREFS – Scott Valdez developed VIDA, a service that takes over and automates dating app interactions, including swiping, messaging, and flirting to the point users get out on dates. VIDA monetizes SEO keywords like "Tinder pickup lines" or "Tinder vs. Bumble" which has high commercial intent. Reddit offers further potential as it captures substantial traffic on dating discussions.
NEWSWIRE – Seeking.com has introduced the Selfie Liveness Check, an AI-powered verification tool aimed at reducing fraud and confirming user authenticity. The system verifies a live face and compares it to profile photos, with verified users receiving a Selfie Verification Badge. New members are required to complete this process, while long-standing users are exempt.
TECH CRUNCH – Bumble is discontinuing its two acquired apps, the dating and relationship apps Fruitz and Official. The move was shared during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call. As explained by CEO Lidiane Jones during the call, the choice to discontinue Fruitz, a French dating app, and Official, an app designed to help couples strengthen their relationships, allows the company to focus on its core businesses, Bumble and Badoo.
SPOTIFY – Pietro Pocora, a beta tester for Grindr’s AI Wingman, views the feature as an interesting experiment but not a game-changer for his dating life. While he was initially curious about its potential, he primarily used it for dating tips and pick-up lines rather than for matchmaking. His biggest frustration with online dating is the time-consuming filtering process, and he hopes AI can eventually streamline it by recommending compatible matches. However, the current AI Wingman mainly functions as a chatbot rather than an advanced filtering tool.
DC NEWS NOW – The dating app Vinylly, which connects music lovers, is expanding to the UK in 2024 after launching in the US and Canada. CEO Rachel Van Nortwick highlights that 70% of singles consider mismatched music tastes a dealbreaker. The app offers a unique experience in the DMV region, allowing users to browse concert tickets within chats. Beyond dating, Vinylly also features a "concert buddy" option for finding platonic connections to attend shows together.
BUSINESS INSIDER – Bumble's stock plunged 28% on Wednesday after weak first-quarter guidance disappointed investors, extending a 92% decline since its 2021 peak. Despite a Q4 revenue beat of $261.6M, the company forecasted $242M–$248M in Q1 sales, missing expectations. The drop is attributed to a temporary decline in paying users amid a brand refresh. Dating app fatigue and shifting user habits have made growth challenging, with rival Match Group also seeing a 79% drop since 2021. CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd remains optimistic, citing upcoming innovations aimed at reviving user engagement and revenue.