FINANCIAL TIMES – Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd told staff the company is in serious decline and may not survive without drastic cuts, warning that "dating apps are feeling like a thing of the past." Over 160 roles are being eliminated in London as part of a 30% global workforce reduction. Wolfe Herd criticized staff for "freaking out" and said the company's focus would shift to the U.S., citing a better talent pool. Despite the backlash, she insisted the reaction was overblown and offered staff the rest of the week off. Bumble plans to open a Silicon Valley office and launch new safety features amid falling revenues and shrinking user interest.
Month: July 2025
Archer Users Prioritise Relationships Over Hookups, Survey Finds
MASHABLE – A new report from dating app Archer shows a shift in gay dating trends, with users nearly six times more likely to seek long-term relationships than hookups. The app, launched in 2023 by Match Group, offers features like "Looking For Modes" and conversation prompts to clarify user intent. With 685,000 downloads as of May 2024, Archer positions itself as an alternative to hookup-focused platforms, as more gay men report valuing emotional connection and communication over casual encounters.
18% of Single Virginians Report Having AI Romantic Partners
AXIOS – 1 in 5 single Virginians have had a romantic relationship with an AI companion, according to new Match data. The figure is part of a broader trend: AI use in dating has surged 333% since last year. Other cities report even higher numbers, with 28% in D.C. and 26% in Atlanta. Apps like Replika and Blush are driving the rise, especially among women. While some see this as a new form of connection, experts warn it could impact real-life relationships.
Bruno Adami – My Journey With Umatch
LTR – Bruno Adami, Co-Founder & CEO of Umatch, shares his journey of creating the popular dating app for college students. In this interview, Bruno discusses his motivations, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and the unique strategies he used to promote and grow Umatch in Brazil and beyond. He also delves into growth hacking techniques, viral marketing, and future plans for expansion, as well as his search for the right investors to support Umatch's mission to combat loneliness among college students.
[**See the video here on YouTube**]
The April LTR was kindly sponsored by Dating Through Curiosity and Courtland Brooks
Tinder Rolls out Mandatory Face Verification for New Users in California
TECH CRUNCH – Tinder will now require new users in California to complete a facial recognition scan called “Face Check” to verify their profiles, aiming to fight bots and impersonation. Users must take a short video selfie, which is used to confirm their identity and detect duplicate accounts. Verified users get a badge. The selfie is deleted, but an encrypted face map is stored. This system is already active in Colombia and Canada. It’s separate from Tinder’s ID Check, which verifies government ID and age.
Chapter 2 Dating Seeks £150K to Expand
BUSINESS CLOUD – Nicky Wake, founder of Chapter 2 Dating, is seeking £150K in investment to scale her portfolio of niche dating apps aimed at widows, widowers, and sober individuals. Launched in 2022, the business includes platforms like WidowsFire.dating and SoberLove.app, and now has ~20K users across the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. The round, based on a £3M valuation, is approved under the UK's Enterprise Investment Scheme. Revenue is up 405% YOY, with the US now contributing 40% of income.
See full article at Business Cloud
This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.com
Cherry Blossoms Dating Celebrates 51 Years
PR.COM – Cherry Blossoms Dating, founded in 1974 and online since 1995, is celebrating 51 years of cross-border matchmaking. One of the first international dating services, it primarily caters to Western men seeking long-term relationships with women from Asia. The platform began as a print magazine and has since evolved into a digital service known for facilitating marriage-focused connections across cultures.