BARRON'S – Alphabet's Google and Spotify Technology have reached a deal that allows the streaming giant to offer its own billing service within its app, paving the way for other developers to wrestle back billing control from app stores amid antitrust concerns. Google said the partnership with Spotify was a pilot with a small number of participating developers, designed to explore ways to offer users the choice to pay the developers directly while maintaining Google's "ability to invest in the ecosystem." The company plans to explore user billing choice in other select countries. Over the last year, Google's parent company, Alphabet, and Apple have faced antitrust litigation regarding the fees the app stores charge developers. Spotify and Google did not disclose whether – or how much – Spotify will have to pay Google for in-app billing services. If Google was imposing a lower fee, it could serve as a positive precedent for other app developers, like Match Group and Bumble.
Category: Match Group
Match Launches Stir, a Dating App for Single Parents
PR NEWSWIRE – Stir aims to provide community and connection to the 20M single parents in the U.S. that are oftentimes underserved on mainstream dating apps. "Having kids shouldn't be a deal breaker when dating," said Dinh Thi Bui, VP of New Verticals at Match Group.
Which Dating Apps Got the Most Press Coverage Last Year?
OPW – Last year, we mentioned 281 internet dating industry brands in 1,066 posts. Although Match Group and its brands are clearly dominating this list, Bumble takes first place this time, even though only by one post. Here is the full list of companies with the most press coverage for last year.
- Bumble (131 posts)
- Tinder (130 posts)
- Match Group (96 posts)
- OkCupid (43 posts)
- Hinge (42 posts)
- Match.com (35 posts – shared)
- Grindr (35 posts – shared)
- The Meet Group (31 posts)
- Blued (23 posts)
- Spark Networks (22 posts)
Dating App Love at First Swipe Wins Trademark Battle With Match Group
BUSINESSLIVE – Manchester-headquartered dating app Love at First Swipe has won a trademark battle with Match Group. Match Group objected to the dating app's UK trade mark application to register 'Love At First Swipe'. However, the UK's Intellectual Property Office ('UKIPO') rejected Match's opposition and allowed LAFS's application to proceed for dating apps and services. The UKIPO rules that the word swipe wouldn't be seen as a brand of Match, but more as a descriptive function for dating apps and services.
Dating App Executives Are Hoping for a Post-Omicron ‘Summer of Love’
INSIDER – Gary Swidler, Match Group's CFO and COO, said summer 2022 could finally be "that summer of love." Swidler made the comment during an earnings call, but clarified his projection in the Q&A. He said that Match Group anticipates daters to return to pre-Omicron habits, but not pre-pandemic behaviors once Omicron's impact fades.
Match Group in the Metaverse
THE STREET – Match Group provided some color for the company's metaverse ambitions in its Q4 earnings call. Instead of swiping right or left, digital avatars will be interacting with each other. Daters will be able to strike up a conversation with other avatars in the room, tap on info to check out full profiles and message them. Hyperconnect purchase will fuel metaverse ambitions.
Match Hopes Hinge Can Be Its Knight in Shining Armor
WALL STREET JOURNAL – Match Group reported mixed Q4 results on Tuesday with adjusted operating income coming in just above Wall Street's estimate, while both Tinder revenue and total revenue growth fell slightly short of analysts' expectations. Match attributed the revenue shortfall to foreign exchange and lingering effects of Omicron. Match talked more about relationship app Hinge. Match now says Hinge did just under $200M in revenue last year and forecasts that revenue would grow to ~$300M this year. Hinge's payers increased ~60% in the Q4 quarter versus the same period of 2019 with revenue per payer growing ~300% over that period.
Match Group Financial Results – 2021 Revenue Just Under $3B
MATCH GROUP – Total Q4 Revenue grew 24% YOY to $806M. Operating income was $232M, up 9% YOY. Payers increased 15% to 16.2M, up from 14.2M in the prior year quarter. Tinder Direct Revenue grew 23% YOY driven by 18% Payers growth to 10.6M and RPP growth of 4%. All Other Brands collectively grew Direct Revenue 26% YOY, driven by 16% RPP growth and 9% Payers growth to 5.7M. In 2021, Match Group's Total Revenue was just under $3B with operating income of $850M. Tinder generated ~$1.7B in Direct Revenue in 2021, up 22% over 2020. Hinge produced $525M of Direct Revenue in 2021, achieving a 91% YOY growth rate. Hyperconnect saw better performance in December compared to the preceding months. Several Match Group brands have begun to leverage Hyperconnect's technology. Meetic opened online video cafes, and Match is offering 1:1 video chat on its app. Pairs and POF intend to leverage Hyperconnect's tech into their apps in early 2022.
Judgement Due After Trial Between Muzmatch and Match Group
Tinder Is Preparing to Offer Background Checks
PCMAG – Tinder users in the US will soon be able to conduct background checks on potential matches. Match Group last year teamed up with Garbo to provide screening technology for Tinder. Founded in 2018 by Kathryn Kosmides, a survivor of gender-based violence, Garbo helps prevent dangerous situations by providing information about people before they connect. Its background checks compile public records and reports of violence or abuse – including arrests, convictions, restraining orders, harassment, and other violent crimes. Match Group last year promised that once Garbo is fully adopted on Tinder, its other brands – Match, OkCupid, PlentyOfFish, etc. – will follow.