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Category: Match.com

Mark Brooks on the Dating App Business Model and AI’s Role in Matchmaking

Posted on February 16, 2026
Mark Brooks

REUTERS – Reuters’ Econ World podcast interviews dating-industry consultant Mark Brooks about how dating apps actually make money despite losing users when matches succeed. He explains the evolution from Match.com search-based dating to Tinder’s swipe gamification, the freemium-to-subscription model, and why apps aim for users to stay around three months before pairing off. Major players include Match Group (Tinder, Hinge, Match), Bumble and Grindr. The industry grew during COVID, now faces payment reluctance and privacy concerns from Gen Z, and is shifting toward more meaningful matching and niche communities. Brooks says AI will help verify users, improve profiles and eventually predict compatibility and support relationships, not just create matches.

Listen to the podcast at Reuters

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ShinyHunters Claims Leak of 10M+ User Records From Match Group Dating Apps

Posted on January 29, 2026
Match Group got hacked

PROTOS – The hacking group ShinyHunters claims it has leaked ~10M user records from Match Group dating apps including Hinge, Match, and OKCupid. The data reportedly includes user IDs, IP addresses, match data, subscription identifiers, and some internal company records, and may have been obtained via the mobile analytics platform AppsFlyer. Researchers say the leak contains limited direct personal details but could still be used for highly targeted scams and fraud. ShinyHunters is known for extortion attempts, having previously forced AT&T to pay a bitcoin ransom, and has recently claimed other large-scale data leaks.

See full article at Protos

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Top Dating Apps by Press Coverage in 2025

Posted on January 15, 2026
Top Dating Apps by Press Coverage in 2025

OPW – In 2025, we selected and summarized over 600 of the top news items mentioning 212 companies from the online dating industry. Tinder took the top spot, followed by Match Group and Hinge. Here’s the full list of dating companies that received the most press coverage last year:

1. Tinder – CEO Faye Iosotaluno was replaced by Spencer Rascoff who took over the brand in an attempt to reinvent it for Gen Z through safety tools, AI, and product experiments.
2. Match Group – hired a new CEO, Spencer Rascoff, but lost several long term C-level execs, acquired Her and Salams, and pivoted to AI and emerging markets.
3. Hinge – reached 15 MAU worldwide, launched in Mexico and Brazil and also launched new features, but ended the year with it’s founder and CEO Justin McLeod stepping down, being succeeded by the CMO, Jackie Jantos.
4. Grindr – saw a year of growth, with numerous new features launched, mostly AI and safety oriented. At the end of the year, he company experienced a buyout attempt, which ultimately failed due to financing uncertainty.
5. Bumble – Whitney Wolfe Herd returned as a CEO in an attempt to revive the company which lost over 90% of it’s market value in the last 4 years. The company announced major layoffs and shut down two previously acquired apps, Fruitz and Official. It launched Bumble BFF as a standalone app.
6. Happn – was acquired by Hello Group, introduced flexible relationship options, and launched AI powered “Perfect Date” tool.
7. Matrimony.com – invested in AI in and attempt to boost the growth, however later financial results showed rising costs and a year-on-year profit decline in Q2 FY2026. In December, the company announced a share buyback.
8. Three Day Rule – launched a “$1 Million Matchmaking” service, secured an investment from Palm Venture Studios. Later in the year, it introduced Tai, an AI-powered matchmaking app.
9.-10. Chapter2, Match.com, OkCupid, Sitch, Tea
Chapter 2 acquired M14 white label dating platform last year. Match.com released another Singles in America study in June. OkCupid was usually mentioned alongside other Match Group’s app and we also used several of OKCupid’s studies for posts last year. Sitch raised $6.7M and announced the U.S. expansion. Tea was first mentioned as a fast growing app that should help women spot red flags before a first date, but their news coverage quickly turned to negative with two hacks that exposed user data. In October, the app was removed from AppStore by Apple.

Read the full version of the article

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Simon Glinsky: The Brain Behind Match.com

Posted on December 30, 2025

LTR – Join us for an exclusive interview with Simon Glinsky, co-founder of Match.com, as he delves into the origins and evolution of one of the world’s first online dating platforms. Simon discusses his journey from McKinsey to Match, the initial challenges faced, and the innovative strategies that made Match.com a groundbreaking success. Learn about the first business plan, the role of technology in early online dating, and the future of AI in relationship-building from one of the key minds behind the brand.

[**See the video here on YouTube**]

The November LTR was kindly sponsored by Courtland Brooks

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The Most Popular Dating Apps in the U.S.

Posted on December 1, 2025

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. 

See full article at Statista

Bar chart displaying the popularity of dating apps in the U.S., highlighting Tinder (37%) and Bumble (35%) as the most used, followed by Badoo, Plenty of Fish, Hinge, eharmony, BlackPeopleMeet, and Match.

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Dr Justin Garcia – Exploring Modern Romance

Posted on November 14, 2025

LTR – Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Justin Garcia, Executive Director of the Kinsey Institute and Chief Scientific Advisor for Match. Dr. Garcia shares his rich background in neuroscience, biomedical anthropology, and evolutionary biology, and discusses his work on the Singles in America report. The discussion dives deep into the changing landscape of dating and relationships, examining the impact of technology, cultural shifts, and the COVID-19 pandemic on contemporary dating behaviors. Learn about the intriguing trends of ‘slow love,’ the evolving expectations of singles, and the potential role of AI in shaping the future of dating.

[**See the video here on YouTube**]

The July LTR was kindly sponsored by Courtland Brooks

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Singles Turn to AI for Dating Help

Posted on July 15, 2025

KeeplerCBS NEWS – More singles are turning to AI to improve their online dating game. A recent Match.com and Kinsey Institute study found that 1 in 4 singles, and nearly half of Gen Z, now use AI for dating help, a 333% increase from last year. AI tools like Rizz and Keepler offer support with conversation prompts, ghosting responses, and personalized messaging advice, acting as digital dating coaches. Rizz, used mostly by 18–25-year-olds, lets users upload screenshots from chats and suggests replies using generative AI. Keepler's in-app guide, Keri, rewrites feedback and ghosting messages to help users handle tough situations more empathetically.

by Mary Cunningham
See full article at CBS News

See the top news on Match.com
See the top news on Rizz
See the top news on Keepler

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18% of Single Virginians Report Having AI Romantic Partners

Posted on July 3, 2025

18_ of Single Virginians Report Having AI Romantic Partners
AXIOS – 1 in 5 single Virginians have had a romantic relationship with an AI companion, according to new Match data. The figure is part of a broader trend: AI use in dating has surged 333% since last year. Other cities report even higher numbers, with 28% in D.C. and 26% in Atlanta. Apps like Replika and Blush are driving the rise, especially among women. While some see this as a new form of connection, experts warn it could impact real-life relationships.

by Sabrina Moreno
See full article at Axios

See the top news on Match.com

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Singles Using AI up 300% YOY, Says Match

Posted on June 11, 2025

Match Singles in America 2025MASHABLE – Singles increasingly rely on AI in dating, with usage rising 333% from last year, according to Match's Singles in America study (surveying ~5K U.S. singles). ~26% of singles now use AI to improve their dating profiles, messages, and compatibility screening, particularly among Gen Z, where nearly half already use AI. However, many singles consider it unacceptable to use AI to alter photos (44%) or generate conversations (36%). 16% of singles have had AI romantic companions (33% Gen Z, 23% millennials).

by Anna Iovine
See full article at Mashable

See the top news on Match.com

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The Origins of Match.com

Posted on April 21, 2025

Matchcom original logoDAILYMAIL.CO.UK – Gary Kremen, a Stanford graduate and entrepreneur, founded Match.com in 1995, launching one of the world's first and most influential online dating platforms. The idea came in 1993, when Kremen, frustrated with traditional dating methods like newspaper ads and 900-numbers, envisioned an email-based database where users could share photos and messages. He took out a $2,500 cash advance and launched Electric Classifieds Inc., registering domains like Match.com, Jobs.com, and Autos.com. Match became the testing ground, and Kremen focused on designing it specifically with women in mind. He interviewed ~100 women and partnered with Fran Maier, who helped shape Match into a safe, clean, and female-friendly space, including features like public meeting guidelines and later, a paid subscription model. The site was originally run on a Sun Microsystems server and grew steadily, even in an era when few people had home internet access. Maier later recalled its rapid growth, up to 4% daily at one point, and its broad demographic reach.

by Ellen Coughlan
See full article at DailyMail.co.uk

See the top news on Match.com

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