Online Personals Watch
Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Research
    • News by Company & Categories
    • News by Date
    • All Online Dating Statistics
    • Public Companies
    • Acquisitions
    • Funding Rounds
    • Top Online Dating Reporters
    • OPW in the Press
  • Conferences
  • Courtland Brooks
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
Menu

Category: BLK

Match Group Adds Qloo’ Cultural AI to Dating Apps for Taste-Based Matchmaking

Posted on July 18, 2025

Qloo logo
PR NEWSWIRE – Match Group's dating apps, BLK, Chispa, Upward, and Yuzu, have integrated Qloo's Cultural AI to create more personalized user experiences. Qloo is an AI platform that maps people's tastes in music, film, travel, and more, helping dating apps recommend matches based on shared cultural interests rather than just looks or location. The new feature lets users add interactive interests to their profiles, each with a short description. Early results show it's working: Yuzu users who added interests saw a 70% increase in Likes. The integration supports Affinity Apps' mission to build dating profiles around personality and individuality, not just proximity.

See full article at PR Newswire

Summarized by the Courtland Brooks team

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Gen Z Is Changing How Dating Apps Are Used

Posted on December 5, 2024

Blk iconMEDIAPOST – Gen Z is using dating apps not just for finding love but also for making friends and building communities. On BLK, over 30% of users in 2024 said they used the app to make friends, up from 18% in earlier years. Trends like "Crewsing" (finding a group or squad) and "Collabor-dating" (bonding over creative projects like making TikToks or playlists) show how Gen Z is looking for more than just romantic matches.

Two big trends to watch:

  • Slow Dating: Taking time to build deeper, more meaningful connections.
  • Collabor-dating: Connecting through shared hobbies or creative activities.

by Danielle Oster
See full article at MediaPost

See the top news on BLK

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

BLK Dating App Survey Finds 43% of Black Gen Z Singles Are Celibate

Posted on September 13, 2024

Blk iconESSENCE – A recent survey by BLK Dating App revealed that 43% of Black Gen Z daters are currently practicing celibacy. Among this group, 64% of Black women have chosen a celibate lifestyle, with 61% citing personal growth or self-discovery as the primary motivation. Additionally, many respondents expressed frustration with the toxic dating environment as another key reason for their decision.

by Elizabeth Ayoola
See full article at Essence

See the top news on BLK

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Niche Dating Apps Gain Popularity, Offering Fresh Alternatives to Hinge and Bumble

Posted on August 7, 2024

Her logoFAST COMPANY – Smaller dating apps like HER, Feeld, and Happn are gaining traction by serving niche communities and offering alternatives to major apps like Bumble and Hinge. "They're not designed to be first-tier," says Eric Resnick, an online dating coach. "They're just designed to serve their niche really well." HER, targeting queer women and nonbinary individuals, boasts 15M users and is experiencing what founder Robyn Exton calls a "sapphic renaissance." Match Group operates community-based apps such as Archer, BLK, Chispa, and Upward. Happn, a French app, connects users who frequent the same locations, appealing to those tired of endless swiping. Feeld, popular among nonmonogamous users, allows users to list intimacy preferences and has seen significant growth among Gen Z.

by Henry Chandonnet
See full article at Fast Company

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

BLK Dating App Teams up With Michelle Obama’s ‘When We All Vote’ to Empower Young Black Voters

Posted on August 5, 2024

Blk iconESSENCE – BLK, a dating app for the Black community, has partnered with Michelle Obama's "When We All Vote" to launch the #ElectionSZN campaign. The campaign aims to increase voter participation among young Black voters. It includes a voter registration portal, in-app voting prompts, and an "Election Mode" to match users based on voting preferences.

by Kimberly Wilson
See full article at Essence

See the top news on BLK

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Podcast: Match Group’s Latest Apps and Cultural Shifts in Dating

Posted on July 29, 2024

Chispa Fluent in AmorADWEEK – In this episode of the podcast "Yeah, That's Probably an Ad," ADWEEK brand editor Rebecca Stewart talks with the heads of Match Group's newest dating apps: Jonathan Kirkland (BLK), Cindy Lim (Yuzu), and Julia Estacolchic (Chispa). They discuss how dating apps now focus on social connections, not just romance. BLK's "New Year, Real You" and Yuzu's partnership with Sundae School celebrate diversity and authenticity. Chispa's "Fluent in Amor" highlights Latinx cultural nuances. Gen Z prefers fluid social interactions, so Match Group adapts to meet these needs.

by Luz Corona & Rebecca Stewart
See full article at AdWeek

See the top news on Match Group

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Match Group’s BLK Encourages Black Women to Be Themselves

Posted on January 25, 2024

CAMPAIGN US – BLK, a Match Group dating app, has launched the #RealNotPerfect campaign to empower Black women to embrace authenticity in every aspect of life. The campaign, featuring a series of videos, encourages members to be unapologetically Black and showcases individual stories of Black women overcoming challenges. Users are invited to pledge authenticity, receiving a badge on their profile. Over 8,000 people have joined the campaign so far.

by Sabrina Sanchez
See full article at Campaign US

See the top news on BLK

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Match Group’s “Are You Sure?” Feature to Expand to Millions of Users Across Match, Stir, OurTime & More

Posted on November 14, 2023

Match Group Are You Sure featurePR NEWSWIRE – Match Group is introducing its anti-harassment feature "Are You Sure?" (AYS?) to users across several platforms, including Match, Stir, OurTime, BLK, Chispa, and Upward, with Hinge planning to adopt it next year. Initially launched on Tinder in 2021 and later on Plenty of Fish and Meetic, AYS? has prevented ~500M potentially problematic or harassing messages by prompting users to reconsider their words before sending. The feature, which uses automated tools to flag potentially harmful language, has led to an 84% decrease in triggering on Plenty of Fish, showing its effectiveness in changing user behavior. The feature is available in 18 languages and is part of Match Group's efforts, including an upcoming "Respect Before Swiping" campaign, to promote respectful interactions and boundaries on its platforms.

See full article at PR Newswire

See the top news on Match Group

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

BLK Launches Animated ‘Halloween Horror Stories’

Posted on October 19, 2023

CASSIUS – BLK, a dating and lifestyle app attuned to the Black community, has launched a new content series called Halloween Horror Stories: Dating Edition. The series consists of three animated shorts that chronicle the dating terrors of Black singles. The tales were from BLK's community who shared their real-life dating horror struggles through an in-app questionnaire. "BLK is about sharing real stories. Both, the good and the bad. That's what makes us and our users authentic," said Jonathan Kirkland, head of brand and marketing for BLK.

See full article at Cassius

See the top news on BLK

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Match Group Reports Q1 2023 Results

Posted on May 3, 2023

MG__Logo_Horizontal_LightBackgroundMATCH GROUP – The Q1 '23 results showed a 1% YOY decrease in total revenue at $787M due to a 3% decline in payers, partially offset by a 2% increase in revenue per payer (RPP). On a foreign exchange neutral (FXN) basis, the total revenue was up 3% YOY at $822M. Tinder's direct revenue was flat YOY at $441M, while Hinge's direct revenue grew 27% YOY. Match Group Asia's direct revenue declined 13% YOY. Evergreen & Emerging (Match.com, Meetic, OurTime & Pairs, BLK, and Chispa) direct revenue was down 8% YOY. Q1 operating income was $198M, down 5% YOY, while Q1 adjusted operating income was $263M, down 4% YOY. Tinder's new weekly subscription packages and pricing optimizations are expected to increase revenue as 2023 progresses. Tinder is also focusing on improving women's user experience by providing relevancy, realness, and respect. They are testing Just for You, curated profiles, and adding interactive profile elements to provide a richer and more engaging user experience. Hinge is seeing exceptional momentum in Europe, with plans to launch more targeted marketing efforts in Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands in Q2.

See full article at Match Group website

See the top news on Match Group

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next
  • YouTube
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
Graphic featuring the logo of Courtland Brooks with the text 'We'll Help You Grow, Thrive & Exit' and bullet points for services including Strategy, Marketing, PR, Influencers, and Business Development.

OUR EVENTS

A blurred audience in a large venue with colorful lighting, featuring the bold text 'LTR US' in the foreground.

OUR SPONSOR

Logo of HubPeople featuring geometric shapes and the text 'HubPeople' in a modern font.

GOT NEWS?

Share your news at
tips@onlinepersonalswatch.com.

COURTLAND BROOKS

We help online dating & social businesses grow, thrive, and exit. See CourtlandBrooks.com.

CONTACT

Mark Brooks
CEO, Courtland Brooks
Publisher, Online Personals Watch
mark@courtlandbrooks.com

Irena Brooks
Editor, Online Personals Watch
irena@courtlandbrooks.com

©2025 Online Personals Watch