YOUTUBE – Match Group CFO Steve Bailey discusses swipe fatigue, AI in matchmaking, and where the company is investing to win new users and regain investor confidence across brands like Hinge and Tinder.
Three Day Rule Introduces AI Matchmaker “Tai”
NBC BOSTON – Matchmaking service Three Day Rule launched an AI-powered matchmaking app featuring an AI assistant called “Tai.” The system is trained on the company’s historical matchmaker data to replicate a human matchmaker: it interviews users, curates matches, coaches conversations, and adapts to personality. CEO Adam Cohen-Aslatei described Tai as “your companion… that is going to find you love and amazing dates.”
Bumble CPO Exits Amid Leadership Restructure
BUSINESS INSIDER – Bumble’s Chief Product Officer Michael Affronti has left the company after a year as part of a leadership restructuring aimed at centralizing product, engineering, and design under one leader. CTO Vivek Sagi now becomes Chief Product and Technology Officer as CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd seeks to refocus the business and return to growth following a difficult year and executive turnover.
Gen Z Dating Expectations Don’t Match Reality, Hily Report Finds
EINPRESSWIRE – Based on a survey of 3K U.S. Gen Z users, Hily’s Dating T.R.U.T.H. Report shows a gap between perception and reality in dating: social media and peer pressure make young people think others date often and successfully, while many actually had no dates in 2025. This comparison leads to dissatisfaction with partners, lower confidence, and widespread dating fatigue. In response, Gen Z is moving toward more authentic behavior – greater openness to meeting in person, reading profiles more carefully, and reducing social media use – with many believing dating was better about ten years ago.
Dating App Fatigue Drives Women to $150K Matchmaking Services
ELLE – Dating-app fatigue is pushing wealthy women toward high-end matchmaking firms. Cinqe International, MacLynn International, Linx Dating, Ultimate Matchmaker, and invite-only platform Core are some of them, with contracts ~$150K. These services replace swiping with curated vetting, candidate sourcing through networks and recruiters, and ongoing coaching aimed at commitment-ready matches. Demand from women is rising as apps are viewed as inefficient and low-accountability, but matchmakers emphasize effort and compatibility rather than guaranteeing marriage.
Kindred Launches Friend-Powered Matchmaking Platform
PRNEWSWIRE – Kindred is a new matchmaking platform that lets singles invite friends to act as digital matchmakers, replacing swiping with introductions through mutual connections. Users create profiles and rely on “validators” – friends or family – to recommend and vet matches within their networks. The free service focuses on intentional dating, avoids paywalls and gimmicks, and complements online matching with in-person events in select U.S. cities.
CasualX Is a No-Strings-Attached Hookup App
MASHABLE – CasualX is a dating app focused exclusively on casual, no-strings-attached encounters, positioning itself as an alternative to platforms where users seek serious relationships. It offers standard swiping and a social “moments” feed, manual profile review to reduce fakes, and privacy features like private albums and app locks. The app targets users looking for hookups or friends-with-benefits and gained early traction with tens of thousands of users and high daily match activity.
DUA AG Acquires Gen Z Dating App IRLY
VANCOUVER TECH JOURNAL – Switzerland-based DUA AG has acquired the IRLY (I Really Like You) brand, including its trademark and IP, in an all-cash asset deal. Founded in Vancouver by Connor Rose, Laura Rollock, and Cameron Dallas, IRLY positioned itself as a Gen Z, personality-first alternative to swipe-based dating apps. The acquisition adds IRLY to DUA AG’s growing portfolio, which includes Albanian dating app dua.com (2019) and hyper-local platform Spotted.de (acquired 2022), as the group expands its niche, youth-focused dating brands.
Can AI Replace Matchmakers?
ASK A MATCHMAKER – In this solo episode, Matchmaker Maria examines the rise of AI-driven dating tools and argues that algorithms and chatbot coaches can’t replicate the human elements of chemistry, accountability, and community. She discusses where AI can support dating and where it falls short, challenges the swipe-first mindset, and distinguishes between validation and genuine compatibility. The episode also includes practical dating advice for 2026 and guidance for navigating apps, dating fatigue, and Valentine’s Day as a single person.
Grindr Tests AI-Powered EDGE Subscription Tier
GRINDR – Grindr is testing a new premium subscription tier called EDGE, positioning it as a fully AI-integrated upgrade to the app experience. Powered by its gAI™ stack, EDGE embeds AI across discovery, messaging, and re-engagement rather than limiting it to a single feature. The tier includes daily personalized profile recommendations, conversation recaps to help users reconnect with missed chats, and expanded profile insights aimed at improving match quality and follow-through. The pilot is currently running in Australia, New Zealand, select U.S. cities, and Canada, with randomized pricing during testing. Grindr states that AI features are optional and that sensitive health data is excluded from AI use.