GLAMOUR – Anita Bhagwandas, a freelance journalist, beauty editor, and broadcaster based in London, investigates racial bias in dating app algorithms by altering her profile. Comparing results with a white friend, she finds stark differences in matches, prompting her to test the impact of changing her listed ethnicity. Selecting "white" significantly broadens her dating pool, reinforcing concerns that AI favors Eurocentric beauty standards. Studies show Black women and Asian men receive fewer matches, and dating apps reportedly rank users by attractiveness. She critiques a system that forces people of color to manipulate their identity to be seen, exposing how racial bias in tech reinforces inequality in modern dating.
Month: February 2025
Spencer Rascoff Named CEO of Match Group
REUTERS – Match Group appointed Spencer Rascoff as its new CEO amid declining user engagement and a weaker-than-expected revenue forecast. Shares fell 9% after the company projected 2025 revenue between $3.38B and $3.50B, below analysts’ estimates. The company continues to face slowing demand, increased competition, and declining paying users, which fell 4% in Q4, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of decline. Spencer Rascoff is succeeding Bernard Kim. Rascoff, a former Zillow CEO and co-founder of Hotwire and Pacaso, has been on Match Group’s Board since 2024 and brings extensive experience in scaling consumer tech businesses. Rascoff aims to drive the next phase of growth.
by Judy Babu
See full article at Reuters
Match Group Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results
PR NEWSWIRE – Match Group reported a total 2024 revenue of $3.5B in 2024, a 3% increase YOY, with a net income of $823M, down 10%. Adjusted operating income remained flat at $1.3B. The company saw a 5% decline in total payers to 14.9M, but revenue per payer (RPP) increased by 8% to $19.12. Tinder generated $1.9B in revenue in 2024, growing 1% YOY, while its net income declined 7% to $889M. Hinge experienced significant growth, with revenue reaching $550M, a 39% increase, while net income rose 64% to $121M and adjusted operating income jumped 55% to $166M. Hinge’s payers grew 23% to 1.5M, and RPP increased 13% to $29.94. Match Group’s other properties, including Evergreen & Emerging brands and Match Group Asia, saw mixed performance. Evergreen & Emerging brands reported $643M in revenue, a 7% decline. Match Group Asia posted $284M in revenue, down 6%, and an operating loss of $32M.
Q4 Results: Match Group reported Q4 2024 revenue of $860M, a 1% decline YOY. Tinder generated $476M, down 3%, while Hinge saw strong growth with $148M in revenue, up 27%.
See full article at Match Group website
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AI in Online Dating: a New Tool or a Growing Threat?
PR NEWSWIRE – A Norton study reveals AI’s growing role in online dating, with 60% of users suspecting AI-generated messages and 64% open to using AI for profiles or chat. While AI enhances dating experiences, it also enables scams. 55% of online daters encounter suspicious profiles weekly, and 40% have been targeted by scams, including catfishing (55%) and romance scams (34%). Only 46% can accurately spot fake images, and 27% have seen their photos misused. With AI-driven scams on the rise, Norton urges caution, highlighting red flags like avoiding video calls, financial requests, and rapid emotional manipulation.
Match Group’s Q4 Earnings to Reveal Tinder’s Future
MARKETWATCH – Match Group's future depends on reviving Tinder, which has struggled with slowing user growth and declining engagement as Gen Z shifts toward real-life interactions. With shares down nearly 80% from their peak, activist investors are pressuring the company for change, including a potential buyout. While AI-backed features are being tested, they won't be a quick fix. Match expects Tinder's revenue to grow in the low single digits by 2027. Investors are closely watching whether the company can deliver on its three-year growth plan, but concerns over execution and lack of major innovation remain.
Instagram Might Be the Most Popular Dating App, New Data Shows
BUSINESS INSIDER – More singles are ditching dating apps in favor of social media, with Instagram emerging as the top platform for meeting potential partners, according to data from Rizz, an AI dating assistant. Rizz, which helps users craft messages, has half a million monthly active users. The app’s data shows that 22% of uploaded screenshots now come from Instagram, an 8% increase from last year, surpassing traditional dating apps like Tinder and Hinge.
New Dating App “When We First” Blends Online and Traditional Matchmaking
PR NEWSWIRE – A new dating app, When We First, is set to launch on Valentine's Day, offering a hybrid model that combines online dating with traditional matchmaking. Co-founded by matchmaker Sandra Hatton and wellness entrepreneur Mariel Filippone, the app aims to move beyond swipe by integrating expert-curated matches with AI-driven insights. Users can choose between online dating, offline matchmaking, or both, with services ranging from a freemium model to premium matchmaking packages priced up to $4K. Features include verified profiles, data-driven dating insights, and access to real matchmakers for coaching and guaranteed dates.
Aisle Launches Offline Dating Events
BNTW – Aisle Network has launched Aisle Experiences, combining online dating with in-person events. The initiative started with Sip & Paint and Wine & Cheese mixers in Bangalore, allowing singles to meet offline. Participants are selected based on shared interests, reducing the need for profile browsing. Aisle plans to expand these events to major cities with various themes like coffee tastings and stargazing.
by Mansi Praharaj
See full article at BNTW
Gleeden Sees Rapid Growth in India
INVESTING.COM – Gleeden, a French extramarital dating app, has grown to 3M users in India, making up 25% of its global user base. Women now account for 40% of Indian users, reflecting shifting attitudes toward relationships and non-monogamy. The platform gained traction after India’s 2018 decriminalization of adultery and saw a surge during COVID-19. Bangalore has the highest number of users. Gleeden is now expanding its focus beyond extramarital dating to include non-monogamous relationships, with 67% of Indians expressing interest in trying them. The company aims to add another million users by the end of 2025.