BUSINESSWIRE – Breeze, a European dating app, has launched in New York City, offering a no-chat, no-swipe experience that pushes users to schedule real-life dates immediately after matching. Users pay per date rather than subscribe, and dates are held at pre-approved venues with safety measures in place. The app aims to reduce online dating fatigue and prioritize face-to-face connection.
Month: March 2025
Grindr Launches Real-Time “Right Now” Feature for Instant Meetups
METRO.CO.UK – Grindr is introducing its new "Right Now" feature in London and 14 other global cities, including NYC, Paris, and São Paulo. The tool adds a real-time feed for users seeking immediate hook-ups, offering ten-hour-long sessions weekly, with the option to buy more. First piloted in Australia and D.C., it's now expanding, with a global rollout planned by year's end. Grindr is also testing features to promote deeper connections, including an AI-curated "For You" tab and a travel-focused heatmap to highlight popular gay hotspots.
PositiveSingles Launches AI Tool to Automatically Select Best Profile Photos
NEWSWIRE – PositiveSingles has launched a new AI-powered Smart Photo feature that automatically selects users' most engaging profile picture based on likes and comments. Designed to help members present themselves more effectively while maintaining privacy, the tool continuously evaluates photo performance and updates the primary image accordingly. The feature is optional and can be toggled off anytime.
Silicon Valley Singles Turn to Curated, Invite-Only Dating Events
WIRED – San Francisco's dating scene is shifting offline, with a growing number of invite-only events designed specifically for tech professionals and creatives. Events like Love in the Stars (hosted by Paloma and promoter Spice King) and gatherings organized by The Feels require pre-approval, LinkedIn verification, and often referrals to attend. Love Club, another example, began as a private WhatsApp group and now hosts quarterly meetups at members' homes. New dating platforms like Sable and Paloma also host curated IRL events.
Gen Z Is Starting to Turn to AI When It Comes to Dating
NEWSWEEK – A Paired app survey shows Gen Z is cautiously experimenting with AI in dating, with 15% using it to plan dates and 12% for relationship advice. Still, 72% say they've never used AI for romantic purposes, citing concerns about authenticity. Millennials show similar patterns. Despite skepticism, interest is growing, especially for tools like therapy and guided relationship support.
MillionaireMatch Pauses New Matches on Mondays to Promote Focus and Balance
PR NEWSWIRE – MillionaireMatch has launched a new feature called No Sex Monday. Every Monday, the site pauses all new Likes, Winks, and Messages to help ambitious singles shift focus toward career and personal goals. Users can still browse profiles and chat with existing matches, but the weekly pause encourages reflection, avoids digital fatigue, and promotes intentional connections.
Raya Celebrates 10 Years as the World’s Most Exclusive Dating App
METRO.CO.UK – Raya, the ultra-exclusive dating app for creatives and celebrities, celebrates its 10-year anniversary with a reputation for exclusivity – only 8% of applicants are accepted. With a 100K-person waiting list and a user base that reportedly includes A-listers like Charlize Theron and Paul Mescal, Raya offers verified, high-profile dating, charging up to £44/month for premium access. Despite occasional criticism for being status-focused and transactional, the app has led to some success stories, like influencer Jessica Stocker meeting her fiancé.
ProSiebenSat.1 Reclaims Full Control of ParshipMeet and NuCom in Deal Worth up to €98M
RETAIL NEWS – ProSiebenSat.1 is buying back full control of NuCom and ParshipMeet Group from investor General Atlantic in a deal that includes: €10M in cash, 5.9 M of its own shares (worth ~€38M) and a €50M payout due if ParshipMeet is sold later. The deal excludes beauty platform flaconi, where General Atlantic will keep a 28.4% stake, and ProSiebenSat.1 holds the rest. One condition for completing the deal is the sale of comparison site Verivox. This move gives ProSiebenSat.1 full control over its dating and e-commerce businesses and more flexibility for future sales or investments.
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AI Takes Center Stage at GDI Online Dating Conference in New York
BUSINESS INSIDER – At the Social Discovery and Dating Conference hosted by Global Dating Insights (GDI) in New York last week, AI was the central theme, with dating app founders and execs debating its role in the industry. Companies like Slide, Once, and Sitch discussed how large language models and AI agents could improve matching, safety, and user experience. Some startups, like the French app Gigi, are already experimenting with AI as a dating companion or assistant. While excitement around the potential is high, most speakers agreed that widespread user adoption of AI-driven features in dating apps is still a few years away.
Gen Z Says No to Office Romance, happn Survey Reveals
NATIONALWORLD – According to a survey by dating app happn, Gen Z is the least accepting of workplace relationships, with only 50% considering them socially acceptable, compared to 63% of Baby Boomers and 64% of Gen X. One-third of Gen Z say office dating is not okay, citing concerns around productivity, professionalism, career reputation, and team dynamics.