Category: Bumble

AI Matchmaking in Online Dating

Posted on June 5, 2024

AI matchmakingWORLD – Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble, suggests integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into dating apps for coaching and support. However, this innovation raises ethical questions, especially among Christians, regarding the use of technology in forming relationships. While some view AI matchmaking as efficient and helpful, others caution against its dehumanizing effects and potential to prioritize personal needs over genuine connection. As dating apps struggle financially, they increasingly turn to AI features to attract younger users, though concerns persist about the impact on authentic relationships. In April, the 2024 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report found that 59% of current online daters are somewhat or very likely to use AI for dating coaching. 64% of current online daters are somewhat or very likely to use AI to write a pickup line or conversation starter for a dating app. The study reported that 61% are somewhat or very likely to use AI for their dating profile.

by Genevie Roby
See full article at World

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Bumble Now Has an ‘Intimacy Without Commitment’ Option

Posted on June 3, 2024

Bumble dating optionsSTORYPICK – Bumble has added another option under the 'What do you want from your Bumble date?' section – intimacy without commitment, essentially promoting casual hookups. While some appreciate the transparency, critics argue that dating apps' fast-paced nature undermines the effort required for meaningful human connections.

by Disha Banerjee
See full article at Storypick

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Singles Are Fed up With Dating Apps and Returning to the Real World to Meet Their Match

Posted on May 31, 2024

Online datingTHE GLOBE AND MAIL – From Gen Z to seniors, many are tired of online dating due to mind games, ghosting, rejection, scammers, and increasing costs. App downloads for Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble have declined since 2020. Pew Research Center found that 11% of hetero couples and nearly 30% of LGBTQIA+ couples met online, but many now find online dating too much work with little payoff. In response, Tinder and Bumble have added features, but user dissatisfaction persists. Speed dating and matchmaking services are making a comeback, offering real-world interactions and personalized matchmaking, often at a premium cost. This shift reflects a desire to return to more traditional dating methods.

by Samantha Edwards
See full article at The Globe and Mail

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Dating Apps Aim to Ensure Users and Investors Don’t Swipe Left

Posted on May 30, 2024

Dating-apps-connected-economyTHE TIMES – Dating apps face challenges after years of growth, with declining user numbers and management changes. Match Group's value dropped from over $40B in 2021 to $7.8B. The number of paying customers is declining by 9% in its sixth consecutive quarter. At Bumble, Lidiane Jones replaced Whitney Wolfe Herd as CEO in January. She has already laid off 350 employees. Shares in Bumble have fallen by ~30% over the past 12 months and the company is now worth $2B, down from the $13B shortly after the 2021 IPO. Mark Brooks, the CEO of Courtland Brooks, a business that provides consultancy services to online dating companies, said that a proportion of users were willing to pay a premium for dating apps. "They're leaving a lot of money on the table," he said. "There's a small portion of people who are willing to pay considerably more. Some people don’t have time, they just want dates, so the more you can help them with that, they'll pay disproportionate amounts and spend $500 a month, perhaps, which is what Tinder is playing with right now." Acquisitions also have a role to play in helping Match to grow. Hinge, bought by the group in 2018, has been an important investment. It describes itself as the app that is "designed to be deleted". Brooks said: "Theoretically they wouldn't want users to delete the apps because they're not going to get paid any more, but they’re conveying that it's the app for a high-quality experience. Hinge is important to Match. It offsets some of the decline in user weakness for Tinder. But it is still small relative to the size of the group." Others in the industry are also hoping to shake up the market. One such is Thursday. Founded by Matt McNeill Love and George Rawlings, the dating app, as its name suggests, works only on Thursdays, when it hosts singles events in various locations in cities such as London and New York.

by Emma Taggart
See full article at The Times

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Young Women Falling out of Love With Dating Apps

Posted on May 27, 2024

Young woman on tinderFINANCIAL TIMES – Dating apps like Tinder and Bumble are enhancing features and rebranding to attract more Gen Z women, addressing concerns of burnout and safety. Female users report burnout, unsolicited content, and threats, prompting improved content moderation and verification. Market shares of Match Group and Bumble have significantly dropped. New features include Bumble's "opening moves" and Tinder's AI photo selection. Bumble faced backlash for ads mocking celibacy. Both apps see a decline in active users, highlighting the challenge of engaging young women, a crucial demographic for their success.

See full article at Financial Times

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Why Nobody Likes Dating Now

Posted on May 23, 2024

Why Nobody Likes Dating Now
AMERICAN SURVEY CENTER – Bumble's Whitney Wolfe Herd explained "There is a world where your dating concierge could go and date for you with other dating concierge[s] . . . and then you don't have to talk to 600 people," she said. It sounds utterly dystopian. AI chatbots chatting up other bots to forge connections for their human counterparts. Singles are pessimistic about dating life. Dating apps are accused of being part of the problem. There's a rising distrust between men and women: less patience and more risk aversion. Young women today expect young men to contribute in ways their fathers never did. Marriage is less of an immediate goal for many young people, and parenthood is more of an open question. A recent Pew poll found that young men are more interested in becoming parents than young women. A growing share of single young singles are deciding that romantic relationships or marriage might simply not be worth it.

by Daniel A. Cox
See full article at American Survey Center

Mark Brooks: The only way AI concierges would really work is if they were given inordinate access to users' other apps, comms, and behavioral data, to properly assess their character. Then, it could get quite interesting. Bumble, as a trusted brand, could be one of the few dating companies that could be granted enough access to be able to make this kind of feature fly. I don't buy that people really don't want romantic relationships. Homo sapiens need intimacy, love. I think we/they/he/she… are just less well-equipped and more distracted.

Bumble Buys Community Building App Geneva to Expand Further Into Friendships

Posted on May 20, 2024

Bumble Geneva logosTECH CRUNCH – Bumble has acquired Geneva, an online platform built around forming real-world groups and clubs. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the announcement comes shortly after Bumble revealed that it would be pursuing acquisitions to drive growth. While Bumble is best known for its dating app, the company recently indicated that friendships could be a bigger focus for the company moving forward. Founded out of New York in 2019, Geneva is all about meeting like-minded people in a given area, whether that's to form running clubs or meetups to talk about the latest books. The company had raised ~$36M.

by Paul Sawers
See full article at Tech Crunch

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This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.com

Tinder and Bumble to Explore New Avenues Amidst Revenue Challenges

Posted on May 16, 2024

Match Group Bumble logosBLOOMBERG – Tinder and Bumble are diversifying their services beyond dating due to slowing sales growth and declining user engagement. Bumble anticipates a growth slowdown to 9% this year, down from 31% in 2021, and is repositioning itself as a broader human connection platform. Meanwhile, Match Group reported lower-than-expected revenue projections and a drop in paying users. Financially, this has led to a significant reduction in the market valuations of these companies, with Match Group's valuation falling from a peak of $50B to $8B, and Bumble's valuation also substantially decreasing. In contrast, Grindr has shown resilience and growth potential in its niche market despite facing legal challenges.

by Alex Webb
See full article at Bloomberg

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Bumble Apologises for ‘Anti-celibacy’ Ads After Furious Backlash

Posted on May 15, 2024

Bumble anti-celibacy adMASHABLE – Bumble has apologised for its poorly received ads referencing celibacy, calling them a "mistake." The marketing campaign is being slammed across social media, with users accusing the dating app of undermining women's choices and shaming them for refraining from sex. In a statement posted to Bumble's official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, the company acknowledged its misstep and announced that it would be removing its heavily criticised anti-celibacy ads from its global marketing campaign.

by Amanda Yeo
See full article at Mashable

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Whitney Wolfe Herd Says Bumble Could Embrace AI

Posted on May 13, 2024

Bumble Whitney Wolfe Herd 2023CNBC – Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd suggests the app may soon integrate AI, envisioning features like an AI dating concierge to assist users and potentially date on their behalf, aiming to create a healthier and more efficient dating experience amidst widespread online dating fatigue. In the United States, 1 in 3 men ages 18 to 34 use ChatGPT for relationship advice, according to a recent survey on AI platform Pollfish. Just 14% of women in the same age range reported doing the same.

by Aditi Shrikant
See full article at CNBC

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