Bumble Revenue Falls 14% While Profits Jump Ahead of AI Relaunch

Posted on May 7, 2026
Logo of Bumble Inc.

BUMBLE – Bumble’s revenue fell 14% YOY to $212M in Q1 of 2026, while paying users dropped 21% from 4M to 3.2M. Despite the decline in users, the company reported stronger profitability. Net earnings rose 165% to $53M, and adjusted EBITDA increased 28% to $83M, helped by cost cuts and higher spending per paying user. Whitney Wolfe Herd said Bumble is rebuilding the app around a new AI-powered platform designed to improve matching and help users move more quickly to in-person dates. The updated experience is expected to roll out later in 2026.

See full article at Bumble website

Match Group CEO Says Gen Z Finds Traditional Dating Apps Intimidating

Posted on May 7, 2026
Specer Rascoff, CEO of Match Group

BUSINESS INSIDER – Spencer Rascoff said Gen Z finds traditional dating apps intimidating because they feel too structured and “like a job interview.” Speaking during Match Group’s earnings call, he said younger users want low-pressure, more natural ways to meet people. In response, Match Group is adding features focused on real-life interaction. Hinge is testing a “Direct to Date” feature that encourages users to meet immediately after matching, while Tinder has started hosting in-person dating events and added interest-based features like music and astrology modes.

See full article at Business Insider

Get Online Personals Watch by Email

Posted on May 7, 2026
Logo featuring the letters 'OPW' on a gradient blue background.

OPW – We’re dedicated to providing you with quality daily executive summaries and intelligence. Subscribe here, and send to a friend. We find news and info that will help make you smarter and help you make better informed decisions. Online Personals Watch has been run by the Courtland Brooks team since 2004.

Match Group Q1: Revenue up, Tinder Back to Growth, Hinge Accelerates

Posted on May 6, 2026
Logo of Match Group

REUTERS – Match Group reported a strong Q1 2026, with revenue up to $864M (+4%) and profit rising 42% to $167M. Growth was driven mainly by Hinge, which saw 28% revenue growth, while Tinder showed early signs of recovery. Tinder’s registrations returned to YOY growth in March for the first time in nearly two years, with improving engagement and retention. New features and product changes are starting to stabilize the platform, especially with younger users. Overall, paying users declined 5%, but revenue per user increased. The company is streamlining operations, cutting costs, and investing in higher-growth areas, including a $100M stake in gay dating app Sniffies.

See full article at Reuters

College Student Sues Dating App for $750,000 for Stealing Her Videos for Ads

Posted on May 6, 2026
College Student Sues Dating App for $750,000 for Stealing Her Videos for Ads

DEXERTO – A University of Tennessee student, Kaelyn Lunglhofer, is suing Quantum Communications for $750K, alleging her TikTok video was used without consent in ads for the dating app Meete. The ads, which promoted “friends with benefits,” used her graduation video and were geo-targeted in Knoxville, making it appear she was on the platform. She says the ad caused embarrassment and misrepresented her. The lawsuit argues unauthorized use of her likeness and deceptive marketing.

See full article at Dexerto

Match Group Backs Gay Dating App Sniffies With $100M

Posted on May 6, 2026
Logo of Sniffies

WIRED – Match Group invested $100M in Sniffies, taking a large minority stake with the option to acquire it fully later. The move has unsettled users, who fear the niche, anonymous cruising app could lose its distinct, sex-positive culture under corporate influence. While CEO Blake Gallagher says the partnership will focus on safety and growth without changing the platform’s identity, many users remain skeptical.

See full article at Wired

LoveHuddle Prepares UK Launch With Swipe-Free, AI-Backed Social Platform

Posted on May 6, 2026
LoveHuddle logo

OPW – LoveHuddle is building a swipe-free social and dating platform set to launch in the UK in late summer 2026. The product focuses on real-world interaction, removes traditional paywalls, and uses a one-time verification model to limit bots. At its core is AI-Huddle-Core, a proprietary system that operates in the background to support matching, safety, and user behavior without directly interacting with users. The platform is developed by a solo founder and has already been shortlisted for the Wales StartUp Awards 2026.

Nicki Wake, Widowed in 2020, Built Chapter2dating, Now Used by 25,000 People

Posted on May 6, 2026
Logo of Chapter 2

MYLONDON – Nicki Wake’s husband, Andy, suffered two heart attacks within 3 days in 2017 and required round-the-clock care for the next 3 years before dying in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. His death led to a 3-year period of severe grief. During recovery, she connected with widows’ support networks where the idea of a “second chapter” relationship emerged. After finding that traditional dating apps did not meet her needs, she created two platforms: Chapter2dating for long-term relationships and WidowsFire for casual intimacy. The platforms now have ~25K users across 4 countries (UK, US, Canada, and Australia) and have resulted in multiple relationships, including marriages and children. Nicki herself met her current partner through the platform, and they have been together for 10 months.

See full article at Yahoo! News

Need Some Help?

Posted on May 6, 2026

CourtlandBrooks logoOPW – It can be tough running a dating service / app. The Courtland Brooks team can help you. We've been working for and with dating and matchmaking and social discovery services for an era.

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.

Hinge Adds Feature to Determine Interaction Quality

Posted on May 4, 2026
Hinge Signals

DISTRACTIFY – Hinge has added a “Signals” feature (a beating heart icon) to highlight users who consistently engage in high‑quality behavior, including thoughtful browsing, messaging, and follow‑through. It is designed to identify people who are less likely to ghost. The badge cannot be bought; it is earned through profile completeness, verification, regular use, and positive interaction patterns, and eligibility is reassessed periodically.

See full article at Distractify