Category: Bumble

Dating Apps Are Embracing Video

Posted on June 30, 2017

Dating-apps general pic croppedTECH CRUNCH – June 28 – This week, both Hinge and Zoosk's Lively are rolling out support for video, each in their own way. Hinge will now allow users to add videos up to 30 seconds long into their profile by pulling from those that already exist on their phone. However, it's shying away from short-form, disappearing videos like those found in Instagram, Snapchat, or Messenger "Stories." Meanwhile, Zoosk's newer product Lively is hoping to capitalize on video to bring more people to its app. In Lively, users upload photos and videos that are then turned into story collages, which also include transitions and movement. Again, the idea is that using video can show off someone's personality much better than static, photo-only profiles. Now, Zoosk is pushing the bar even further in terms of video with the launch of live video chat. Users will be able to pick a topic and start chatting with others who are also available to chat. But the screen will be blurred so users feel more comfortable. Bumble will roll out its own video support as well. Even Match.com is getting into the video game with its Stories feature.

by Sarah Perez
See full article at Tech Crunch

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Hinge Is Adding Video

Posted on June 28, 2017

Https _blueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com_uploads_card_image_519899_35510a39-62bc-456e-ada7-9251d0efe8e5MASHABLE – June 27 – Hinge is launching a new video feature that will allow users to add clips to their profile. Hinge's CEO Justin McLeod says, "it adds more texture to profiles, so people can really get a good sense of you." They're not the first of the major apps to go in this direction. Match is launching Stories, a tool that lets users stitch together photos, videos, and voice to tell people about themselves. Back in January, Bumble announced it was adding disappearing snaps, but it has not yet made that feature available. So that makes Hinge the first to actually roll it out.

by Cassie Murdoch
See full article at Mashable

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On Gay Dating Apps, Hooking Up Is Out

Posted on June 8, 2017

Chappy logoVICE.COM – June 7 – It only takes a quick scroll through gay dating apps to see guys who express dismay with them; statements like "no hookups," and "no unsolicited nudes" are common in user profiles. That dissatisfaction is reflected in Grindr's 2.5-star rating on the Apple App store. Chappy claims to be different. Launched this year in London, and funded by Bumble, Chappy lets users toggle between categories called "Mr. Right" and "Mr. Right Now". Chappy isn't the only app trying to distance itself from the hookup culture. Hornet and Scruff are launching new features to introduce new ways to interact beyond hooking up, such as Facebook-style activity feed.

by Jon Shadel
See full article at Vice.com

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Bumble Is Opening A Physical Space In New York For Dates To Meet Up

Posted on June 2, 2017

Bumble beehiveTECH CRUNCH – June 2 – Bumble is opening a pop-up location in New York City. While the space will be open during the week for couples to meet up (or friends to just stop in and check it out), there will also be a series of events focused on relationships, female entrepreneurship and more. The space will also have a coffee (and real) bar, as well as Bumble merchandise for sale (where all proceeds go to charity). It will be located in Soho at 158 Mercer Street.

by Fitz Tepper
See full article at Tech Crunch

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The Internet Is Moving To Video, But Not Dating Apps

Posted on May 18, 2017

Lively iconTHE VERGE – May 17 – Dating apps are quick to try new trends. But when it comes to video, options are lacking. Top dating apps such as Tinder, Happn or Hinge don't allow users to share or upload videos. Earlier this year, Bumble announced its plan to add 10-second clips to its service, though it's yet to be made available. "Video is scary," says Behzad Behrouzi, who oversees product operations at Lively, a video-based dating app. Lively launched in 2016 under the umbrella of Zoosk. In March, Lively introduced Quickies, a Snapchat-like feature that allows users to record short clips of themselves with frames and filters. Implementing video requires time and money for development. Even if a business has the funds to add videos, there's the concern of bad behavior.

by Megan Farokhmanesh
See full article at The Verge

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Q&A With The CEO Of Dating App Badoo

Posted on April 19, 2017

Badoo andrey andreev 2017 croppedBUSINESS INSIDER – Apr 18 – Andrey Andreev hasn't done any interview since 2013. He is the CEO of Badoo. Russian-born Andreev prefers to maintain a low-profile, despite his app's popularity. Badoo was the most downloaded dating app in 21 countries in 2016, ahead of Tinder which was the most downloaded in 18 countries. Badoo has been completely redesigned. Andreev admitted that it was long overdue. Badoo was launched in 2006, and it raised $30M from Russian VC firm FINAM Technology Fund in 2008. The fund bought 10% of Badoo, which valued the business at $300M, before buying another 10% in 2009 at a higher valuation. Badoo does deals with other dating apps but it isn't looking for acquisitions. Smaller apps (Blendr, Huggle, Chappy) use Badoo's technology in exchange for a 50% revenue share deal. The most high-profile partnership that Badoo has is with Bumble. The partnership between Badoo and Bumble isn't a 50/50 revenue share deal, Andreev said. Read the full Business Insider interview.

by James Cook
See full article at Business Insider

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Bumble Founder: “We Are Helping To Change Some Very Archaic Norms”

Posted on March 20, 2017

Bumble office meetingNY TIMES – Mar 18 – Bumble is a two-year-old dating app created by Ms. Wolfe. Women must make the first move, nudity is verboten and kindness is part of the company mission. Most women who have played the online dating game have cringed or worse on occasion. Accounts like Tindernightmares, detailing the most horrific pickup lines, and ByeFelipe, which calls out men who turn hostile when rejected, have millions of followers. They are snapshots of what it is to be a woman swiping online. Bumble, often called "feminist Tinder", won't change the rules of dating overnight, but in the ecosystem of online dating, it aims to be a little less agonizing for women. The company says its abuse report rate is among the lowest of its competitors, at 0.005%. The company is also offering webinars for college users in which experts advise on subjects from "how to do your taxes" to "how to recognize sexual assault". Ms. Wolfe also said users would soon be able to chat with an on-call gynecologist (her own).

by Jessica Bennett
See full article at NY Times

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Whitney Wolfe And The Future Of Her App Bumble

Posted on March 15, 2017

Bumble logoTEXAS MONTHLY – Mar 14 – Bumble now has ~12.5M registered users. Bumble founder, Whitney Wolfe, says she wants the app to be a "hub of connections." She wants women to be in control of all the relationships they build, whether they be romantic (Bumble), platonic (friend-finding Bumble BFF) or professional (the-soon-to-be-released Bumble Biz). Wolfe aims for Bumble to be the inverse of Facebook. "Facebook is good at connecting you to people you know. We want to connect you to people you don't know." Wolfe also wants to expand from digital to physical spaces by opening a number of "social hives," physical locations where Bumble users can meet.

by Emily McCullar
See full article at Texas Monthly

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Bumble Ads Encourage Women To ‘Be The CEO Their Parents Always Wanted Them To Marry’

Posted on March 9, 2017

Bumble billboardADNEWS – Mar 8 – Bumble has launched billboards across America aimed at empowering women. The ads encourage users to be the CEO, rather than date the CEO and not be afraid to make the first move. Bumble VP of brand content Alexandra Williamson says that women have previously been told that approaching the man is aggressive or desperate, which is an outdated notion.

by Lindsay Bennett
See full article at AdNews

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Tinder Select Is For Celebrities And Attractive People

Posted on March 8, 2017

Tinder selectTECH CRUNCH – Mar 8 – Tinder has been operating a members-only version of the platform called Tinder Select, which is for only the elite users on the app, including CEOs, super models, and other affluent types.Tinder has invited people to the platform, some of whom have the ability to 'nominate' others. But those who were nominated can't nominate anyone else, which prevents the members-only layer of the app from spreading uncontrollably. It's unclear exactly how Tinder decides who gets invited and who doesn't. One factor that might be included in the Tinder Select criteria could be the Tinder Elo score, which is an algorithmic rating system across all Tinder users. Tinder Select has been around for almost six months. This isn't the first time a dating app has tried to serve its top users. There is Raya and The League. Bumble is relaunching its VIBee "verified" tier which rewards users who make a positive contribution to the Bumble community.

by Jordan Crook
See full article at Tech Crunch

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