TECH CRUNCH – Match Group has eliminated the Chief Operating Officer role, leading to the departure of COO Hesam Hosseini after 18 years with the company. The decision comes as the dating-app industry faces declining engagement, particularly among Gen Z users. The change is part of a broader restructuring under CEO Spencer Rascoff, aimed at streamlining operations and cutting costs.
TECH CRUNCH – Tinder is testing an AI feature called Chemistry to reduce swipe fatigue and dating app burnout. Currently piloted in Australia, the feature asks users questions and, if they opt in, analyzes patterns in their phone photos (such as hobbies, travel, or pets) to better understand interests. Instead of endless swiping, Chemistry delivers a small number of more relevant match suggestions.
TECH CRUNCH – Known has raised $9.7M in funding as it tests a voice AI–driven dating app designed to move users toward faster in-person dates. The San Francisco–based startup replaces traditional profiles with long, conversational voice onboarding sessions that capture nuanced preferences and improve matching. In a local beta, the company says about 80% of introductions led to real-life dates, far higher than swipe-based apps. Matches must accept introductions and agree to dates within short time windows to reduce ghosting, and the app also helps schedule dates and choose restaurants. Known is currently testing in San Francisco ahead of a broader launch.
TECH CRUNCH – Hinge CEO Justin McLeod is stepping down to launch Overtone, a new AI-driven dating product backed by Match Group, which will take a major ownership stake. Incubated inside Hinge, Overtone aims to use AI and voice tools to create more personal, thoughtful connections. McLeod joins other founders like Bumble’s Whitney Wolfe Herd in pursuing standalone AI matchmaking concepts as Gen Z grows increasingly disillusioned with traditional dating apps. Meanwhile, Hinge continues to lean into AI under incoming CEO Jackie Jantos, whose new features have already lifted user engagement. McLeod will remain an advisor through March as Hinge stays on track for $1B revenue by 2027.
TECH CRUNCH – Hinge launched “Convo Starters,” an AI feature that gives personalized suggestions for how to start a conversation when liking someone’s profile. The tool responds to user complaints about silent likes and boring small talk, and Hinge says daters are twice as likely to get a date when they add a comment. It builds on Hinge’s earlier AI Prompt Feedback feature, though Gen Z remains uneasy about AI in dating. Match Group is investing $20–30M into AI development across its apps.
TECH CRUNCH – Tinder is testing an AI feature called Chemistry that learns about users through questions and, with permission, analyzes Camera Roll photos to better understand their interests and personality. Currently piloted in New Zealand and Australia, it will be a key part of Tinder’s 2026 product update, according to CEO Spencer Rascoff. Alongside AI, Tinder is adding new features like dating modes, double dates, facial verification, and redesigned profiles to boost engagement after nine consecutive quarters of subscriber decline.
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TECH CRUNCH – Facebook Dating, launched in 2019, actually has a sizable user base. Meta reports 21.5M daily active users across 52 countries. The in-app feature, not a standalone product, is gaining traction among younger users, with 1.77M aged 18–29 in the U.S. Facebook has publicly addressed the fact that it struggles to keep Gen Z and young millennials on the platform, yet the company said last year that daily conversations on Facebook Dating in the 18-29 demographic spiked 24%. Facebook Dating remains free, relying on data monetization.
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TECH CRUNCH – Tinder is expanding its Face Check facial verification feature across the U.S. to combat fake profiles and improve user safety. The tool requires new users to submit a short video selfie, creating a 3D face scan to confirm identity and prevent duplicate accounts. Verified users receive a badge, and Tinder retains an encrypted “face map” for ongoing fraud detection. Already active in California, Canada, Colombia, Australia, India, and parts of Southeast Asia, Face Check will reach more U.S. states soon and other Match Group apps in 2026. Early results show a 60% drop in exposure to “bad actors” and 40% fewer reports.
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TECH CRUNCH – Cerca is a new dating app built for Gen Z. It connects people through mutual friends instead of random strangers and limits users to four daily swipes to make choices more deliberate. Likes stay anonymous until both people match, and profiles show mutual connections first to improve safety. The app has around 60,000 users, raised $1.6M in seed funding, and will present its concept at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco.
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TECH CRUNCH – Hinge has updated its moderation policy to be less punitive. Instead of banning entire accounts for a single violation, the platform will now flag the specific issue, hide the profile from discovery until it’s corrected, and notify the user with clear instructions. Accounts with repeated or severe violations will still face permanent bans.
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