
STREAMLINE – The paid plan uses AI to summarize chats, suggest compatible matches, detect under-18 users, and strengthen identity verification. It’s priced very high (over AUD 100/month in some markets).

STREAMLINE – The paid plan uses AI to summarize chats, suggest compatible matches, detect under-18 users, and strengthen identity verification. It’s priced very high (over AUD 100/month in some markets).

OPW – At Courtland Brooks we approach influencer marketing with care and intention. We find storytellers who get a brand’s mission, nurture those relationships, and help them become genuine advocates. The results are ads that do not look like ads; they’re videos that actually live in the creator’s story, feel real to their audience, and inspire them to take the next step instead of just scrolling past.
Here are some examples:
Please see CourtlandBrooks.com to learn more about how to work with us and book an initial paid consult.

KXAN – A class action lawsuit has been filed against Bumble after a January 29 cyberattack allegedly exposed users’ personal data. The complaint claims hackers accessed sensitive information – including names, contact details, Social Security numbers, and chat history – due to inadequate security protections, reportedly via a phishing attack linked to the group ShinyHunters. The plaintiff says affected users suffered time loss, anxiety, and risk of identity theft. The lawsuit seeks damages, stronger security measures, and deletion of compromised data, though Bumble’s arbitration clause may move the case out of court.

LINKEDIN – George Rawlings, co-founder of Thursday, shared that the company has now reached a $50M valuation. The original goal was to achieve this within one year, but it ultimately took three. He also outlined a new target: a $500M valuation within the next five years. Alongside the announcement, Thursday has acquired the thursday.com domain and opened a Series A round for individuals and funds interested in brand and consumer tech.

BUSINESS RECRUITMENT – Dating app usage in the UK has fallen 16% since 2024 due to app fatigue, but investor interest is shifting toward female-led dating companies, especially matchmaking services. Women run ~90% of personalized agencies and are increasingly entering app leadership roles, focusing on safety, emotional intelligence, and relationship outcomes rather than engagement mechanics. These platforms produce fewer initial meetings than large swipe apps but achieve higher rates of long-term relationships. The UK market has ~1.3M users across ~1,400 services worth £422M and is growing 8% annually, with global dating projected to exceed £13B by 2030. Industry figures argue that the future model combines human matchmaking supported by AI rather than AI-only systems.

PRESS RELEASE – Swept Dating, a relationship-focused dating app, released an update adding an in-app date planner to schedule and review dates, with feedback used to flag no-shows and repeat ghosting. The update also introduces profile styling options, VPN-based fraud detection, stronger safety controls, and expanded availability across the U.S. and Canada.

LOS ANGELES TIMES – UC Davis relationship researcher Paul Eastwick, author of Bonded by Evolution: The New Science of Love and Connection, argues dating is driven by compatibility and emotional attachment rather than looks, money, or fixed “mate value.” Instead of many quick app dates, people should broaden social circles and spend more time with fewer partners across different activities. His research finds men and women want largely the same qualities – support and security – and connection forms through repeated interaction, not rapid filtering.

ITBRIEF – A UK poll of 2K dating-app users found 84% say AI-generated content now makes dating harder to trust (up from 64% in 2025). While 32% use AI to help write messages, 36% have tried AI companions instead of dating apps. Identity fraud and deepfakes are the main drivers: 61% encountered fake profiles and the sector shows high fraud rates (6.35%), with romance scams costing over £100m annually. Users are responding by self-verifying matches, while demanding clearer rules and stronger platform accountability rather than outright bans on AI tools.

BFM RMC – Valentine’s Day no longer drives major dating pressure. Happn CEO Karima Ben Abdelmalek says 39% don’t mind being single, reflecting broader social acceptance and a shift toward intentional partner selection. Dating-app signups peak in January and summer, not February. Users now favor “slow dating” and personalized matches, while AI-generated fake profiles have pushed Happn to add reporting tools.
OPW – Edition 49 of the LTR (Love, Tech, Relationships) online experience will be on Wednesday, February 25th, at 12 pm (noon) EST (New York time).
In this edition of LTR, Mark Brooks will sit down with Matthew Gain, CEO of ParshipMeet Group, to discuss the company’s portfolio of brands, current market challenges, and the key opportunities shaping the next few years in the dating industry.
Following that conversation, Mark will sit down with Eric Straus, former CEO and Founder of Cupid.com and now President of Transworld Business Brokers in Manhattan. They will cover Eric’s exit from Cupid.com and explore how dating companies can position themselves for acquisition, navigate the sale process, and identify the right buyers.
If you hold a full-time leadership role at an online dating, social discovery, or matchmaking company, you are welcome to join LTR events for free.
Why attend LTR?
🏠 Flexible: Attend from anywhere – no travel required.
⏰ Convenient: Live session. 90 minutes.
💰 Free: No registration fees.
See the LTR Edition 49 speakers and invite page here.
Email mark@courtlandbrooks.com to RSVP.
