LINKEDIN – Parship and eharmony have expanded their “Courage” campaign for singles aged 40 and over. It began with TV ads featuring German presenter Charlotte Karlinder, who found love through Parship and spoke about starting again in midlife. The next phase features other midlife singles and will run across Meta and YouTube in several countries on three continents.
REUTERS – Australia’s Federal Court found that eHarmony misled users about free access, automatic renewals, subscription length, cancellation rights and pricing. The court said renewal terms were displayed in small print late in the purchasing process, while advertised monthly prices did not clearly show the total cost of the subscription. The case was brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2023. Penalties and consumer compensation will be decided later, while eHarmony said it is reviewing the judgment.
LTR – Join us for an in-depth discussion with Grant Langston, the original marketing lead and former CEO of eHarmony. Grant reflects on the early days of eHarmony, the unique challenges of building and scaling one of the most renowned online dating platforms, and the pivotal moments that saved the company from bankruptcy. He also shares insights from his tenure as CEO where he navigated financial distress, legal battles, and evolving media strategies to turn eHarmony into a success story. Moving beyond eHarmony, Grant delves into his current role at Warehouse Exchange and the transformative impact of AI on business operations. This conversation provides valuable lessons on innovation, resilience, and the continuously evolving landscape of online dating.
[**See the video here on YouTube**]
The December LTR was kindly sponsored by Courtland Brooks
OPW – Grant Langston, former CEO of eHarmony, will join Mark Brooks for a conversation on the early days of eHarmony and the realities of building and scaling a major dating platform. Mark will also present the Top 10 Things Dating & Social Business Leaders Should Be Doing in 2026.
Free for full-time leaders in the online dating industry. To attend, email mark@courtlandbrooks.com.
STATISTA – Bumble and Tinder are the most popular dating apps in the U.S., according to Statista Consumer Insights. 35% of U.S. dating app users said they had used Bumble in the past 12 months, compared to 37% for Tinder. In the following ranks were Badoo, Plenty of Fish and Hinge.
THE GUARDIAN – The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) has taken eHarmony to federal court, alleging the dating platform misled users about subscription costs and automatic renewals. Hundreds of consumers claim they were unaware their limited subscriptions would auto-renew, sometimes leading to charges over $400 and debt collection notices. The ACCC argues eHarmony gave the impression subscriptions would not renew automatically, while eHarmony contends renewal terms were clearly shown near the payment button and in the site's terms and conditions. The case also questions eHarmony's "free" tier, which the ACCC says offered minimal functionality to users.
MIRROR.CO.UK – New research by eHarmony and Imperial College of Business shows that dating apps influence hormone levels like dopamine, cortisol, and testosterone. Swiping, matching, and notifications activate the brain's reward system, creating a cycle similar to gambling. While this can lead to excitement and emotional highs, it also causes fluctuations that may affect mood, stress levels, and energy. These effects are seen across all genders, with both positive and negative hormonal shifts depending on the outcome of interactions.
TECH BULLION – Dating algorithms streamline modern matchmaking by analyzing user data, preferences, and behaviors. Platforms like Tinder and eHarmony use AI and machine learning to refine compatibility predictions, offering efficiency and expanding dating pools. While algorithms excel at filtering choices and suggesting matches, they fall short on intangible elements like chemistry and nonverbal cues. Concerns include biases, choice overload, and data privacy risks. Emerging trends like biometric matching and VR dating promise further innovation. However, love remains unpredictable, and algorithms serve as tools rather than guarantees for meaningful connections.
GLAAD.ORG – GLAAD and eharmony released a report on how LGBTQ+ individuals navigate dating apps and pop culture. Key findings include that 45% of transgender and nonbinary daters avoid disclosing their gender due to fears of fetishization, and concerns about bullying are three times higher among trans participants compared to cis participants. Additionally, 74% of LGBTQ+ respondents believe bisexuality is misunderstood, with 30% of Bi+ daters reporting being fetishized by men. Among cis women, 41% use dating apps to explore their identities, with 61% experiencing deeper emotional intimacy when dating women. The report underscores the need for safer, more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people in dating and society.