Month: November 2025

Tinder Tests AI “Chemistry” Feature That Reads Camera Roll to Personalize Matches

Posted on November 6, 2025
Tinder app icon

TECH CRUNCH – Tinder is testing an AI feature called Chemistry that learns about users through questions and, with permission, analyzes Camera Roll photos to better understand their interests and personality. Currently piloted in New Zealand and Australia, it will be a key part of Tinder’s 2026 product update, according to CEO Spencer Rascoff. Alongside AI, Tinder is adding new features like dating modes, double dates, facial verification, and redesigned profiles to boost engagement after nine consecutive quarters of subscriber decline.

See full article at Tech Crunch

Simon Newman: Vision for Safer Online Dating

Posted on November 5, 2025

LTR – Simon Newman, CEO of the Online Dating and Discovery Association (ODDA), delivers an insightful presentation on the current landscape of online dating and social discovery platforms. He discusses the organization’s mission, which includes improving industry reputation, supporting startups, and advocating for fair legislation globally. Key topics covered include romance fraud prevention, age verification regulations, and the legislative impacts on the dating industry in the UK, US, Europe, and Australia. Simon highlights ODDA’s campaigns against big tech dominance and payment system challenges, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among industry players to enhance trust and safety standards.

[**See the video here on YouTube**]

The June LTR was kindly sponsored by Courtland Brooks

Match Group Q3 2025 Summary

Posted on November 5, 2025
Match Group logo

PR NEWSWIRE – Match Group reported Q3 2025 revenue of $914M, up 2% YOY, and net income of $161M, up 18%. Adjusted EBITDA was $301M, down 12% YOY, but excluding a $61M legal settlement and $2M restructuring costs, it would have risen 6% to $364M. The company advanced its product-led transformation and completed a $50M reinvestment plan focused on user experience, marketing, and international growth. Match Group settled the long-running Candelore v. Tinder case, closing a decade-old legal matter over age-based pricing.

Product highlights:
Tinder: Introduced AI-driven Chemistry matching and the Face Check verification feature.
Hinge: Expanded to Mexico (Q3) and Brazil (Q4) with new AI tools to improve conversations and recommendations.
Payments: Expanded alternative payment systems expected to save $14M in Q4 and $90M in 2026.

Q4 2025 Outlook:
Revenue: $865–$875M (+1–2% Y/Y)
Adjusted EBITDA: $350–$355M (+9% Y/Y midpoint)
Overall, Match Group met revenue goals, exceeded adjusted profit expectations (excluding legal costs), and continues to strengthen its portfolio through AI innovation and global expansion.

See full article at Match Group website

Mainstream Dating Apps Hit New All-Time Highs for the First Time in a Long Time

Posted on November 4, 2025
A new all-time high for the dating trio

OPW – Users spent ±$340M across Tinder, Bumble and Hinge in May. All three hit a new all-time revenue high.  Bumble is slowing down and Hinge is pushing harder, flipping their positions, putting Hinge on top. Bumble’s gross revenue from the App Store and Google Play dropped ±20%, roughly $16M, since their all-time high in May.  Hinge dropped in October down a smidge below Bumble – $41M vs. $44M before fees, according to Appfigures Intelligence. Tinder continued its slow growth this year to hit an all-time high in May, ±$134M before fees.

Mark Brooks: Inflection time!  I’m seeing bad dating apps fail, and good niche dating apps grow.  The large generics continue to open markets and push out, opening up more niche dating and social and IRL opportunities.

Facebook Dating Surpasses 21M Daily Users as Young Singles Take Notice

Posted on November 4, 2025
Close-up of a smartphone displaying the Facebook Dating logo with a heart symbol.

TECH CRUNCH – Facebook Dating, launched in 2019, actually has a sizable user base. Meta reports 21.5M daily active users across 52 countries. The in-app feature, not a standalone product, is gaining traction among younger users, with 1.77M aged 18–29 in the U.S. Facebook has publicly addressed the fact that it struggles to keep Gen Z and young millennials on the platform, yet the company said last year that daily conversations on Facebook Dating in the 18-29 demographic spiked 24%. Facebook Dating remains free, relying on data monetization.

See full article at Tech Crunch

Grindr Escapes Court Trial as Judge Sends 16-Year-Old’s Murder Case to Arbitration

Posted on November 4, 2025
Grindr

NBC MIAMI – A U.S. federal judge ruled that a wrongful-death lawsuit against Grindr over the murder of 16-year-old Miranda Corsette must go to arbitration rather than trial. Corsette was killed in Feb 2025 after meeting a man on the app, which explicitly bars minors. Despite this, Judge Tom Barber found that by creating a Grindr account, Corsette had agreed to the platform’s terms and conditions, including mandatory arbitration, three separate times. The victim’s estate argued that no valid contract could exist because she was underage and ineligible to use the service, but the court rejected that reasoning. Critics have called the decision disturbing, as it effectively holds a minor to fine-print terms on an app that legally should have excluded her in the first place.

See full article at NBC Miami

The League Launches in India, Starting With Mumbai and Delhi

Posted on November 4, 2025
A promotional image for 'The League' dating app

BUSINESS TODAY – Match Group’s exclusive dating app The League has launched in India, marking its first expansion into Asia with rollouts in Mumbai and Delhi. Targeting ambitious, like-minded professionals, the invite-only app requires applicants to verify their identity via LinkedIn or work email and be endorsed by an existing member. Members receive curated matches and access to private events. To support its debut, The League introduced The League Circle, a group of cultural figures in Mumbai and Delhi who will help shape the platform’s early community and premium experiences.

See full article at Business Today

AI Takes Over Dating Apps as Companies Bet on Smarter Matchmaking

Posted on November 4, 2025
AI Takes Over Dating Apps as Companies Bet on Smarter Matchmaking

NEW YORK TIMES – Artificial intelligence is reshaping online dating. Startups like Known and major platforms such as Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and Grindr are replacing endless swiping with A.I. tools that offer curated matches and coaching. Users can pay per match or date instead of monthly subscriptions. Match Group’s new A.I. algorithms have increased matches on Hinge by 15%, while Tinder is testing “Chemistry,” an A.I. feature that analyzes photos to improve matching. Bumble and Grindr are developing similar tools. The shift comes as user satisfaction and paid subscriptions decline, prompting dating apps to bet on A.I. as the next phase of online matchmaking.

See full article at New York Times

Hire Right, Build a High-Growth Dating App

Posted on November 4, 2025

CourtlandBrooksOPW – I've been working in dating since the late 90's and running Online Personals Watch since 2004, and IDEA since 2006. At this stage I have a database of over a 1000 people who have worked in the dating industry and left. Invariably they miss us. I often find myself delving into this database for clients to offer up experienced personnel for their teams, or to recruit new people onto the Courland Brooks team. We're here to help you grow your company, and hire great people.

For the price of a marketing manager you can get access to a seasoned team of online dating professionals. See Testimonials here. See pricing and service overview. Email mark@courtlandbrooks.com or simply book an opening call here.

FBI Warns: Scammers Using Fake ‘Verification’ Sites to Target Dating App Users

Posted on November 3, 2025
A close-up of hands holding a smartphone

BITDEFENDER – The FBI is warning that scammers are tricking people on dating apps into fake “verification” checks that look legitimate but are actually traps. After gaining someone’s trust, the scammer asks them to verify their identity on a separate site for safety reasons. That site asks for personal details and credit card information, then secretly signs the victim up for monthly subscriptions to fake dating services. Victims often discover the fraud only when mystery charges appear on their credit card. These scams not only steal money but also personal information that can be sold or used for identity theft.

See full article at Bitdefender