GAYETY – Archer, a dating app for gay and queer men, has launched a redesign featuring "Looking For Modes," allowing users to specify their intent – Hookup, Date, or Friends – each time they open the app. The update responds to findings from Archer's user trends report The Naked Truth, which shows users are nearly 6× more likely to seek a husband than a hookup.
Category: All Gay
Gen Z LGBTQ+ Singles Are Rethinking Dating in a Shifting Political Climate
EUREKALERT – In 2025, politics are reshaping how many LGBTQ+ singles, especially Gen Z, approach dating. A national study by the Kinsey Institute and DatingNews found that while most LGBTQ+ adults still feel safe dating, younger singles are feeling the pressure. Nearly half of Gen Z respondents reported discomfort with being open about their identity, with some even relocating to more LGBTQ-friendly areas or changing how they date online.
Apple Pulls Sniffies From App Store
LBS – In mid-May, Apple removed Sniffies, a queer hookup app known for its real-time cruising map and explicit content, from the App Store, sparking a backlash in the LGBTQ+ community. Though it launched on iOS just two months earlier with a "Safer Work Mode" to comply with Apple's content rules, Apple cited "ongoing content restrictions" for the takedown. Users accused Apple of applying a double standard. The app still works for existing users, and developers are exploring ways to bring it back.
Dating App HER Acquired by Match Group
BLOOMBERG – HER, the world’s largest dating app for sapphic, queer, and LGBTQIA+ women and nonbinary people, has joined Match Group. Founded in 2013 as Dattch, HER now serves ~13M users globally. The partnership aims to strengthen HER’s infrastructure, improve safety and trust systems, and accelerate global growth, while preserving the app’s mission. HER’s team and vision remain unchanged, and the platform will continue focusing on inclusive experiences for lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, nonbinary, and other underrepresented communities.
Archer App Surpasses 1 Million Downloads
SO.GAY – Archer, a dating app for gay and queer men, has surpassed one million downloads within a year. Designed to foster authentic connections, it emphasizes face-first profiles and encourages users to build friendships, communities, and romantic connections without anonymity. The platform's community-driven features support users looking for both casual and meaningful interactions in an open, visible way.
15 Years of Grindr: How One App Shaped LGBTQ+ Dating
THE INDEPENDENT – Grindr, the first location-based dating app, now has over 27M users globally and ~3.4M active users in the EU. Known for its "zero feet away" tagline, it connects nearby users, originally for casual meetups but later fostering deeper connections. While Grindr is culturally significant in LGBTQ+ communities, it faces criticism for issues like superficial interactions, body image pressures, and privacy concerns due to location sharing. Despite these, Grindr has made strides in LGBTQ+ advocacy, enhancing user safety and promoting health awareness.
Queer Social App Lex Acquired by the Former Musical.ly CEO’s Conglomerate
TECH CRUNCH – Lex, a social and dating app for the LGBTQ+ community, has been acquired by 9count, a mobile app conglomerate led by former Musical.ly CEO Alex Hofmann. Founded in 2019 by Kell Rakowski, Lex originated from a popular Instagram page and focuses on providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ users. The acquisition will allow Lex to roll out new features faster and enhance content moderation. 9count, known for apps like Wink, aims to build niche social networks for specific communities rather than large-scale platforms. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
by Amanda Silberling
See full article at Tech Crunch
This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.com
CEO of Bindr Speaks on Inclusive Goals
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS – Mary Richardson, CEO of Bindr, a dating app for the LGBTQ+ community with a focus on bisexual users, aims to combat stigma and push for legislative change on conversion therapy as Bindr reaches 150K users.
by Davi B. Ulloa-Estrada
See full article at Philadelphia Gay News
Grindr Cooperates With Police After Alleged Homophobic Attacks in Canberra
ABC – Grindr is working with Aussie police to investigate three alleged homophobic attacks in Canberra, where men were reportedly lured by fake profiles, assaulted, and subjected to slurs. The app, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment, has teamed up with Canberra's LGBTQIA+ group Meridian to deliver in-app safety messages. Users are urged to verify identities via video call and meet in public places. Police are also investigating a potential link to a similar incident in New South Wales. In Victoria, police are addressing similar attacks on gay men, stressing vigilance and the importance of user safety.
Archer: the Next Great Gay Dating App
