Category: Outlets – New York Times

Tech Founders Gather in San Francisco to Apply A.I. and Data to Dating

Posted on January 10, 2026
Logo of Keeper, a matchmaking app focusing on data-driven relationship outcomes.

NEW YORK TIMES – The Love Symposium, held in San Francisco, brought together tech founders, dating app builders, researchers, and philosophers to discuss whether dating and relationships can be improved through data, A.I., and optimization. The event featured talks on predicting relationship outcomes, psychometrics, alternative matchmaking models, and the broader loneliness and marriage decline debate. One of the apps represented was Keeper, which uses extensive personal data and A.I. to match users and ties its fees to long-term relationship outcomes. 

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Facebook Dating Is a Surprise Hit

Posted on November 18, 2025
Logo of Facebook Dating featuring a stylized heart shape with the text 'Facebook Dating' below it on a purple background.

NEW YORK TIMES – Facebook Dating has quietly become one of the biggest dating services, now topping 21M daily users by offering a free, easy alternative to paid apps. Its growth shows how Facebook is reinventing itself: younger users may ignore the main feed, but they return for Marketplace, Messenger, and Dating. The service benefits from real profiles, strong network effects, and Meta’s decision not to charge subscriptions, keeping all features open to everyone. Usage among under-30s is rising, older users remain active, and Meta is expanding the product with AI tools like an AI dating assistant, an AI matchmaker called Meet Cute, and even friend-as-matchmaker features. Despite some reports of scams, many users prefer Facebook Dating because it gives them more matches without paying. 

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AI Takes Over Dating Apps as Companies Bet on Smarter Matchmaking

Posted on November 4, 2025
AI Takes Over Dating Apps as Companies Bet on Smarter Matchmaking

NEW YORK TIMES – Artificial intelligence is reshaping online dating. Startups like Known and major platforms such as Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and Grindr are replacing endless swiping with A.I. tools that offer curated matches and coaching. Users can pay per match or date instead of monthly subscriptions. Match Group’s new A.I. algorithms have increased matches on Hinge by 15%, while Tinder is testing “Chemistry,” an A.I. feature that analyzes photos to improve matching. Bumble and Grindr are developing similar tools. The shift comes as user satisfaction and paid subscriptions decline, prompting dating apps to bet on A.I. as the next phase of online matchmaking.

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Whitney Wolfe Herd on Burning out and Bouncing Back

Posted on May 12, 2025

Bumble Whitney Wolfe Herd NYT Interview
NEW YORK TIMES – Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble and co-founder of Tinder, returns as CEO of Bumble after a year-long break. She initially left due to exhaustion, family priorities, and burnout. Her return was prompted by the resignation of her successor and a feeling that Bumble needed her back. She reflects on: Tinder's toxic culture and her sexual harassment lawsuit; her disappointment with media coverage, notably Bloomberg's critique of Bumble's feminist branding as mere marketing; admitting Bumble isn't perfect, acknowledging overselling its empowerment angle, and its role in dating app fatigue. On Gen Z fatigue, she says users feel judged and rejected by current app mechanics, like swiping. Her solution: overhaul Bumble using AI and human coaches to offer more intelligent matchmaking and self-reflection tools – quizzes to help users understand themselves and build better relationships. She's also pivoting toward offline connections, launching features that promote local group events, aiming to fight loneliness and build community. Wolfe Herd criticizes venture capital's bias against women and the regression of support for female founders.

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro
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The Rise of Analog Dating: From Fliers to Pitch Events as Alternatives to Dating Apps

Posted on October 10, 2024

Dating pitch decksNEW YORK TIMES – Analog dating methods are making a comeback, with people using fliers, billboards, and dating events to find connections. Dating app Fourplay launched a flyer campaign in New York City, leading to a rise in analog approaches like "dating business cards" and "pitch me" events. In Philadelphia, a man used a billboard to advertise his single status, garnering hundreds of responses. Events like Tinder Disrupt, where friends give PowerPoint presentations to pitch singles, are gaining popularity. These alternatives reflect frustration with dating apps and a desire for more organic, personal connections.

by Sara Radin
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Sad News for the Dating World: Pioneering Love Researcher Helen Fisher Passes Away at 79

Posted on August 24, 2024

Helen Fisher
NEW YORK TIMES – Helen Fisher, a renowned biological anthropologist, passed away at 79 due to endometrial cancer. She was known for her groundbreaking research into the brain's circuitry related to love, proving that romantic love is hard-wired in the brain. Fisher's studies, including MRI scans, identified brain regions activated during early-stage love and after romantic rejection. As the chief science adviser to Match.com, she developed tools like the Fisher Temperament Inventory to explore romantic compatibility. Fisher's influential research and TED Talks reached millions. She completed her final book, tentatively titled "Thinking Four Ways: How to Reach Anyone With Neuroscience," just days before her death.

By Richard Sandomir
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Mark Brooks: The dating industry has lost one of its best. Dr Helen Fisher was a gracious leading contributor to the science of biological anthropology, and love. I first met her when she presented at the iDate conference many years ago, and more recently when Dr Fisher presented at LTR in 2021. A sad day! Rest in peace Dr Fisher. You are greatly missed.

Tinder Executive Melissa Hobley Champions Both Digital and Real-Life Dating

Posted on July 19, 2024


Tinder Melissa HobleyNEW YORK TIMES – Melissa Hobley, Tinder's CMO, balances her role at the dating app with being a real-life matchmaker. She is the chief marketing officer of Tinder, a position she’s held since August 2022. Before that she worked for OkCupid for over five years. Despite Tinder's success, Hobley acknowledges the value of in-person connections. She believes dating apps are crucial for those who can't easily meet people offline, like single parents or individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. Research shows only 8% of offline daters find it easy to meet someone in real life, highlighting the need for alternative ways to connect. She advocates for a mix of digital and real-life dating methods.

by Alyson Krueger
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Hinge’s New Feature Lets Users Filter out Dating Profile Clichés

Posted on May 14, 2024

Hinge hidden wordsNEW YORK TIMES – Dating app Hinge introduced a feature called Hidden Words, allowing users to filter out profiles using specific words, phrases, or emojis. Common phrases like "fluent in sarcasm" and "pineapple belongs on pizza" have become overused and undesirable in online dating profiles. This feature highlights how specific language can become an "ick" or turnoff for many users.

by Sam Corbin
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Why the Young and the Single Can’t Commit to Dating Apps

Posted on March 15, 2024

Dating appsNEW YORK TIMES – Among young singles today, dating-app fatigue is real. Users struggle to gauge genuine connections through profiles and are frustrated with the transactional nature of swiping, fake profiles, and paywalls. Many are shifting towards in-person events and social media platforms for more organic interactions. The dissatisfaction is also due to inauthentic profiles and a lack of serious intent among users. Some have taken breaks from dating apps, opting for more traditional ways of meeting people, though they may occasionally return to see if their experience improves.

by Gina Cherelus
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Dating Apps Have Hit a Wall. Can They Turn Things Around?

Posted on March 13, 2024

Match Group BumbleNEW YORK TIMES – Match Group and Bumble have seen a significant drop in market value since 2021, losing ~$40B. To address this, both companies have brought in new leaders aiming to innovate and attract more paying users. However, a key challenge remains: convincing young users to pay for dating app subscriptions. Bumble's CEO, Lidiane Jones, plans to revamp the app to appeal to younger users with more personalization and flexibility. Meanwhile, Match Group's CEO, Bernard Kim, is focusing on rapid experimentation and marketing to increase paying users. Match Group has also expanded its offerings with services like Archer for L.G.B.T.Q. dating and Chispa for Latinos, although revenue from these products was down in 2023.

by J. Edward Moreno
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