The Rise and Censorship of Blued, Once the World’s Largest Gay Dating App

Posted on February 6, 2026
Logo of Blued

QUEERTY – Blued launched in 2012 and rapidly surpassed Grindr to become the world’s largest gay dating app by user count. Founded by former police officer Ma Baoli, the app expanded beyond dating into social networking and HIV-related public health services, became publicly listed, and reached a multimillion-dollar valuation. Beginning in 2021, a broader LGBTQ+ crackdown under Xi Jinping led to increased censorship of queer platforms. In late 2025, Blued and its youth-focused sister app Finka were removed from app stores in mainland China and remain unavailable as of early 2026, with users awaiting a possible return. Chinese writer Yi-Ling Liu documents Blued’s rise and subsequent censorship in her book The Wall Dancers. 

See full article at Queerty

Bolt and Breeze Partner to Improve First-Date Safety

Posted on February 6, 2026
Breeze and Bolt safe dating guide

LINKEDIN – Dating app Breeze has partnered with Bolt to improve safety around first dates. The collaboration integrates Bolt ride booking directly into Breeze’s date confirmations, enabling users to arrange transport to and from dates more easily. According to Breeze survey, 34% of users worry about safety on first dates. Alongside transport integration, Bolt and Breeze released a free dating safety guide with practical advice before, during, and after a date, including boundary-setting and reporting concerns.

See full article at LinkedIn

SacredSpark Is a New Catholic Dating App Focused on Offline Matches

Posted on February 6, 2026
Logo for Sacred Spark

THE CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT – SacredSpark is a Catholic dating app co-founded by Emily Wilson Hussem and Daniël Hussem. It focuses on helping single Catholics connect with the intention of offline meetings and ultimately sacramental marriage. SacredSpark differs from other platforms by using audio/video prompts and an optional friend or family member as a matchmaker to encourage more intentional connections rather than superficial swiping. Since its launch on October 29, it has generated over 13,000 mutual matches.

See full article at The Catholic World Report

Hinge Tests Facial Recognition Scans

Posted on February 6, 2026
Hinge verified badge

MASHABLE – Hinge is testing Face Check (facial recognition) in Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and Canada, with U.S. testing expected soon. The test was disclosed by Match Group during its Q4 2025 earnings call. Tinder already requires Face Check for all new U.S. users and plans a global rollout by end of Q1 2026. Match Group says Face Check has cut interactions with bad actors by 50%+ where implemented. Hinge is also piloting Direct to Date, a feature designed to speed up real-world meetups by letting matches share availability and preferred date activities. Testing is planned for spring.

See full article at Mashable

Three Day Rule Tests AI-Led Matching and Messaging in New Dating App

Posted on February 5, 2026
Three Day Rule AI matchmaker

TECH BUZZ –  Three Day Rule launched an AI-driven dating app in 2025 that removes swiping and relies on automated matching and AI-guided conversations. Users answer 100+ questions, and the AI selects matches from a pool of about 250,000 singles. A $25/month subscription includes guaranteed matches and AI-generated introductions. In practice, multiple matches opened with identical AI-written messages, resulting in scripted conversations and limited personalization. The product design places AI at the center of both matching and messaging, reducing spontaneous, user-led interaction.

See full article at Tech Buzz

Tinder Tests “Chemistry,” an AI Feature Designed to Reduce Swipe Fatigue

Posted on February 5, 2026
tinder chemistry

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.

See full article at Tech Crunch

Courtland Brooks Services

Posted on February 5, 2026

CourtlandBrooksOPW – The Online Personals Watch news service along with our leadership events and conferences are all owned and operated by Courtland Brooks. We are the only agency / consultancy on the planet that is entirely focused on growing dating and matchmaking and social discovery apps.

For the price of a marketing manager you can get access to our seasoned team of online dating professionals. See Testimonials here. See pricing and service overview. Email mark@courtlandbrooks.com or simply book an opening call here.

Algorithms of Love: Dating in the Digital World — Today at 7:00 PM PT (California Time)

Posted on February 4, 2026
A pink flowchart shaped like a heart, labeled 'Algorithms of Love,' featuring various geometric shapes and arrows illustrating connections and processes.

OPW – Today at 7PM PT, Hanna Kozlowska is hosting a live conversation on how technology and AI are reshaping dating, intimacy, and human connection. The discussion explores the evolution of digitally assisted romance, from early computer matchmaking to modern AI-driven dating platforms, and how these systems have influenced love, sex, relationships, and the business of connection. With online dating now a $9B+ industry and dating AI growing at 25% annually, the conversation focuses on what has fundamentally changed and what remains human.

Hanna is joined by:
Steve Dean, Online Dating Consultant at Dateworking
Gary Kremen, Founder of Match.com
Jeffrey Tarr, Cofounder of Operation Match

The program is streaming live on YouTube.

Match Group Q4 and Full-Year Results

Posted on February 4, 2026
Logo of Match Group featuring stylized initials 'iG' in blue and green, alongside the text 'Match Group' in dark purple.

PRESS RELEASE – Match Group reported Q4 and full-year 2025 results showing stable revenue, stronger profitability, and early signs of improved engagement from product changes.

Full year 2025: Revenue $3.5B (flat Y/Y); Net income $613M (+11%); Adjusted EBITDA $1.2B (35% margin). Payers declined 5% Y/Y, offset by higher revenue per payer.

Q4 2025: Revenue $878M (+2%); Net income $210M (+32%); Adjusted EBITDA $370M (+14%, 42% margin).

Tinder: Engagement improved; Sparks Coverage up 4% Y/Y in December (the number of users engaging in six-way conversations). Face Check reduced bad-actor interactions by 50%+. MAU trends improved in Australia.
Hinge: Direct revenue up 26% Y/Y in Q4; MAU up nearly 50% in European expansion markets; strong momentum in Europe and Latin America.

Outlook: 2026 revenue expected to be roughly flat, with higher EBITDA margins and strong free cash flow.The company emphasized a product-led strategy focused on match quality, safety, and real-world outcomes.

See full article at ir.Match.com

Financial Compatibility Is the New Love Language

Posted on February 4, 2026
A couple analyzing financial documents while counting cash at home.

OKCUPID – OkCupid released new Gen Z and Millennial survey data showing that money now plays a practical, upfront role in dating. Who pays matters less than avoiding awkwardness, with most first dates kept under $100. The biggest turnoffs are financial dishonesty and irresponsibility, not low income. Daters value transparency, budgeting, and fairness, and see financial responsibility as more attractive than generosity. Money conversations are happening earlier, but gradually, with flexibility replacing rigid rules around splitting costs. Overall, dating is being budgeted, not abandoned, with a shift toward intentional, low-cost experiences and shared financial values. 

See full article at OKCupid Blog