From Bumble to Overtone: Lucille McCart Joins Justin McLeod’s AI Matchmaking Startup

Posted on July 15, 2026
A woman with wavy blonde hair is smiling at the camera, wearing a light blue blouse, with a tropical plant background featuring pink flowers and green leaves.

OPW – Lucille McCart has joined AI matchmaking startup Overtone as Head of Communications, following nearly seven years at Bumble where she held senior communications and marketing leadership roles across Australia, APAC and globally. Overtone is a voice- and AI-powered matchmaking service focused on curated introductions rather than swiping. Announcing the move on LinkedIn, McCart highlighted the company’s mission, quoting McLeod: “Who we choose to build a life with shapes our happiness more than almost anything else. That choice is too important to be left to chance, and too personal to be left to a swipe.”

Ditto Uses AI to Replace Swiping with Curated College Dates

Posted on July 15, 2026
A group of people posing together, with the text 'Ditto Get a date every Wednesday' overlaying the image.

PM – Ditto, an AI-powered dating startup founded by two UC Berkeley dropouts, is expanding across U.S. college campuses with a matchmaking model that replaces swiping with AI-curated real-world dates. After users complete detailed questionnaires, the platform creates weekly matches, schedules a mutually convenient meeting, and plans the date itinerary. The company says it has facilitated ~12K dates, with 92% of participants wanting a second date, positioning itself as an alternative to traditional dating apps by using AI to handle the matching process rather than the conversation.

See full article at PM.

CheckMyDate Launches AI-Assisted Dating Safety Tool in Australia

Posted on July 15, 2026
CheckMyDate logo

MIRAGE NEWS – Australian platform CheckMyDate has launched an AI-assisted dating safety tool that searches publicly available online information to help users identify potential warning signs. The service compiles information such as social profiles, professional details and potential photo matches into a single report. The launch comes amid growing concerns about AI-generated fake profiles and romance scams, which cost Australians $28.6M in reported losses in 2025.

See full article at Mirage News

LinkedIn Has Quietly Become Everyone’s Backup Dating App

Posted on July 15, 2026
LinkedIn

GADGET REVIEW – A Zety survey of 1,023 U.S. workers found that 22% have used LinkedIn to pursue romantic connections, while 48% trust LinkedIn profiles more than dating app profiles. The survey also found that 21% have used LinkedIn to verify someone they matched with elsewhere, and 12% have formed a relationship that began on the platform, despite 74% of respondents viewing romantic advances on LinkedIn as unprofessional.

See full article at Gadget Review

Aisle Launches Money Back Guarantee as It Marks 12 Years

Posted on July 14, 2026
Aisle logo

PASSIONATE IN MARKETING – Aisle has introduced a Money Back Guarantee for select paid plans as it celebrates its 12th anniversary. The program allows eligible users who actively use the app but do not receive a valid match within 30 days to claim a refund. The initiative is aimed at users seeking serious relationships.

See full article at Passionate in Marketing

Muzz Campaign Promotes Couples Making Their Own Marriage Decisions

Posted on July 14, 2026

PASSIONATE IN MARKETING – Muzz has launched a new campaign highlighting the importance of allowing Muslim singles to make their own marriage decisions. The campaign film portrays the pressures of traditional matchmaking, where family expectations can overshadow the two people considering marriage, and encourages more space for genuine conversations before a decision is made. The film will be released across Muzz’s digital and social media channels.

See full article at Passionate in Marketing

Australia Proposes Dating App Ban for Sex and Domestic Violence Offenders

Posted on July 14, 2026
dating apps

SBS NEWS – South Australia has proposed legislation that would ban convicted domestic violence and sex offenders from using dating apps. Under the plan, offenders would be prohibited from dating platforms for at least 10 years, with the most serious offenders facing lifetime bans. Breaching the ban could result in up to five years’ imprisonment. The government is developing the details of the proposal in consultation with dating app companies, including Match Group, and victim advocates. 

See full article at SBS News

Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff Discusses Tinder’s Turnaround Strategy

Posted on July 14, 2026
Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff

LINKEDIN – In a CNBC interview, Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff said Tinder remains the number one dating app in 166 countries and is too important to the company’s revenue and profitability not to return to growth. He said Tinder’s key metrics were previously declining by ~10% and more YOY, but that has improved to ~5-6%. Monthly active user declines have also narrowed from ~12% to 6-7%, although he said the turnaround is still in progress. He said Match Group’s focus is on reducing the pressure of online dating for Gen Z, citing Tinder’s Double Date feature, which is now used by about a quarter of its Gen Z users. Rascoff added that Tinder already monetizes well, and that Match Group continues to return its cash flow to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks.

Watch the interview here

UK Muslim Matchmaking Platform Faces Backlash Over Child Marriage Video

Posted on July 13, 2026
Nikkahgram

THE SUN – Nikkahgram, a Muslim matchmaking platform operating in the UK, has faced calls to be shut down after posting a video suggesting fathers should marry off their daughters when they reach puberty. The video was removed following criticism, and the company said it does not promote marriage under the age of 18.

See full article at The Sun

SURF Partners With HYROX Australia to Connect Fitness-Focused Singles

Posted on July 9, 2026
Surf Hyrox partnership

AUSTRALIAN LEISURE MANAGEMENT – SURF has partnered with HYROX Australia to help singles meet through the fitness racing community. The dating app now lets users filter for HYROX athletes and people training for upcoming events. The partnership will also introduce “singles” wristbands at races and a Blind First Date Mixed Doubles event in Australia in Autumn 2027. SURF is expanding its focus on community-based, in-person dating through partnerships with HYROX, the World Surf League US Open of Surfing, and Palm Tree Music Festival.

See full article at Australian Leisure Management