OKCUPID BLOG – OkCupid data shows that political and social values are now key factors in dating. ~1.2M users have added an "I'm Pro-Choice" badge, with 70% of women and 42% of men refusing to date someone who isn't pro-choice. Marriage equality has near-universal support, with 96-97% of users backing it and 74% of Gen Z and 78% of Millennials actively advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. The #MeToo movement is also a dealbreaker, with 77% of women and 51% of men requiring support for it in a partner. Gender equality is a must for 86% of women and 67% of men, while racial equality activism is important for 52% of women.
Month: March 2025
Germany’s ProSieben Holds Board Meeting Over General Atlantic Deal
REUTERS – ProSiebenSat.1 plans to buy General Atlantic's stakes in ParshipMeet, Verivox, and Flaconi to gain full control and sell them more easily. It may issue new shares – up to 10% of its capital – without a shareholder vote, which would dilute existing investors, including MFE – MediaForEurope (nearly 30% owner). MFE has secured €3.4B to fund a possible takeover, which could trigger a €2.1B debt repayment if it gains more than 50% control. ProSieben's market value is €1.4B.
AI Is Changing Online Dating With Smarter Matches and Better Conversations
BBC – AI is being integrated into dating apps to help users craft bios, refine conversations, and suggest date ideas, with Match Group investing in AI-driven features to improve interactions. Despite concerns, over one in ten UK adults use online dating services, making it the most popular way to meet partners. While Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and Grindr saw a drop in UK users between May 2023 and May 2024, dating apps continue to play a major role in modern relationships. AI tools aim to streamline the dating process, reduce awkward first interactions, and help users find compatible matches more efficiently. Meanwhile, a growing trend toward in-person dating events suggests that the future of dating will blend technology with real-world connections.
The Top Internet Dating Reporters of 2024, According to Online Personals Watch
OPW – Each year, Online Personals Watch highlights the journalists shaping conversations in the online dating industry. In 2024, Lauren Forristal (TechCrunch) topped the list with 12 featured articles, covering emerging brands, industry trends, and app innovations.
Following closely, Sydney Bradley (Business Insider) and Brittaney Kiefer (AdWeek) each had five articles focusing on branding, social media, and the evolving dating landscape. Jessica Bursztynsky (Fast Company) and Daniel Latu (Business Insider), with four articles each, provided insights into dating culture, consumer tech, and digital marketplaces.
Rounding out the top contributors, Aisha Malik (TechCrunch) covered Match Group and Tinder developments, while Kerry Flynn (Axios), Sara Ashley O'Brien (WSJ), Emma Hinchliffe (Fortune), and Amanda Silberling (TechCrunch) each had two articles on industry shifts and leadership trends, and emerging platforms.
These reporters continue to drive discussions on dating tech, business models, and cultural trends, making them key voices in the space.
Anson Funds Plans Proxy Fight at Match Group
REUTERS – Hedge fund Anson Funds is preparing a proxy fight at Match Group, aiming to nominate directors to its 10-member board as it pushes for cost cuts, governance changes, and a strategic review of MG Asia. Despite owning only 0.6% of Match, Anson has raised concerns over board connections, executive turnover, and the company's ties to former owner IAC/Interactive. Match's stock has dropped 67% in three years, making it a target for activist investors, including Elliott Investment Management and Starboard Value, who have also pressured the company for changes. Elliott secured two board seats after a $1 billion investment in early 2024. Anson, led by Sagar Gupta, argues that Match's response has been too slow, and with only three board seats up for election this year, investor frustration is growing, setting the stage for a heated boardroom battle.
AI Is Transforming India’s Matrimony Industry
THE WALRUS – India has ~1,500 matrimony platforms, a market worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Betterhalf.ai, launched in 2016, competes with Shaadi.com, Jeevansathi, and Matrimony.com by using AI for matchmaking without parental involvement. Traditional arranged marriages still dominate, with 90% of Indian marriages arranged, and on Shaadi.com, 40–50% of profiles are managed by parents. Matrimony.com, India’s largest publicly listed matrimony platform, had a market value of ~$16M and annual revenue of $57M, 850K subscribers, and ~100K successful matches as of 2021. Betterhalf.ai, founded by MIT graduates Gupta and Namdev, has 1M monthly users and a 30% paid subscriber retention rate, outperforming Bumble, Hinge, and Tinder (10% retention). In March 2023, it raised $8.5M from investors, including Instagram and Dropbox co-founders. The company plans to evolve into a “marriage super app,” offering wedding services, pregnancy support, and more.
by Mihika Agarwal
See full article at The Walrus
See the top news on Betterhalf
See the top news on Matrimony.com
See the top news on Shaadi
How Marketing & Gamification Derailed the Dating Industry
THE CURRENCY – The dating industry is at a crossroads. User growth has plateaued. Apps paired addictive features with culturally resonant marketing. Tinder is synonymous with modern dating. Bumble is the feminist alternative. The pandemic was a renaissance for dating apps. “Never were people more aware of their singleness than during Covid. There was this horrible effect, this extended period where people were acutely aware they were alone,” noted Mark Brooks, a veteran strategic advisor to the dating industry. “We’re now seeing a return to pre-pandemic growth patterns, but without the same user enthusiasm,” he added.
Swiping prioritizes quantity over quality, with endless matches but few meaningful connections. This gamified approach led to singles criticizing for failing to deliver genuine connection. Court cases have tarnished the industry, and allegations of fake profiles and data misuse deepened consumer mistrust, leading to disillusionment and “dating fatigue”. Thursday hosts casual mixers and quirky speed-dating sessions and announced the closure of its core app, citing “rapidly declining consumer interest in dating apps” and is “doubling down” on in-real-life dating. Mark Brooks’s take is: “Thursday is drawing people who are real-world-oriented, not so inclined towards online dating.”
A lack of innovation has left the door wide open for social media platforms to enter the arena. Blazr, for the cannabis-friendly community, is a prime example, with 130k users. FarmersOnly caters to rural daters. The platforms that succeed will be those that prioritize meaningful connections, position themselves as lifestyle brands, and rebuild consumer trust.
by Andrea Linehan
See full article at The Currency
Mark Brooks: This will be the hot topic at the upcoming Global Dating Insights conference in NYC on Wed 19th March, and at the LTR (Love, Technology, Relationships) online mini-conference on Wed 2nd April.
See the top news on Thursday See the top news on Bumble
See all posts on FarmersOnly See the top news on Tinder
Hinge Appoints Jackie Jantos as President & CMO
HINGE – Hinge has elevated Jackie Jantos to President, expanding her leadership while she continues as CMO. In this role, she will drive strategy, execution, and cross-functional alignment to support the app’s next phase of growth. Founder and CEO Justin McLeod will shift focus to long-term strategy, innovation, AI, and strategic partnerships while Jackie handles day-to-day operations.
Romance Scam Prevention Act Targets Senior Fraud on Dating Apps
WGNS RADIO – The Romance Scam Prevention Act focuses on protecting seniors from financial fraud on dating apps by requiring platforms to notify users if they’ve interacted with a banned scammer. Older adults, especially widowed or divorced individuals, are frequent targets. In 2023, seniors in Tennessee lost $43M to such scams, contributing to a $1.3B national issue.
