Dating Industry Digest | Match Group +3% Growth | $753M Stock Buyback | AI vs Swipe

Feb 21, 2025

11 minutes to read

AI in Dating: Scientific Approach vs. Human Experience

In the US, the first scientifically-backed AI dating platform, Harmonizer, has launched, while Hinge’s CEO, Justin McLeod, is opposed to leaving matchmaking to artificial intelligence.

What This Means for You:

The dating industry is finding balance between AI automation and human experience.
Opportunity to position yourself on either or both sides.
Scientific approach opens up new possibilities for precise matching on your dating app or dating site.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Integrate smart partner suggestions powered by AI.
Add AI to your dating software as an extra tool alongside user free choice (Dating Pro has up to 30 search types, see here). For example, use AI to automate simple tasks while leaving key decisions to users.
Highlight your platform’s tech edge in marketing, AI is a hot topic in online dating.
A/B test to find the balance between AI and human interaction on your dating service.

Match Group’s Financial Results: Growth Despite Economic Challenges

Match Group made $3.1 billion in 2024, up 3% year over year, and bought back $753 million in shares.

What This Means for You:

The online dating industry is growing even in tough economic times.
Subscription models are long term sustainable for dating platforms.
Investors see potential in the dating space, shares are being repurchased.
Focus is shifting from user growth to ARPU (Average Revenue Per User).
Companies are looking for new revenue streams beyond subscriptions.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Implement a multi-tier subscription system with different price points. Dating Pro enables this through its x10 plan
Experiment with micropayments for premium features in your dating app.
Analyze retention and conversion metrics to optimize LTV (Lifetime Value) for your dating site.
Use user segmentation for personalized offers on your dating platform.
Look for additional revenue sources like advertising or affiliate programs.

Match Group Insider Buy

Match Group’s new CEO made a $2 million stock purchase.

What This Means for You:

Leadership and accountability means good things for the industry.
Good news for investors.
Potential company changes.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Watch for strategic asset changes in Match Group through the lens of the new CEO’s experience in other industries.
Consider investing in Match Group for your dating business.

Sell memberships and subscriptions on a ready-to-use dating website, App Store, Google Play, Huawei App Store, and Samsung Galaxy Store under your brand—our team takes care of the publishing for you. $2,990 one-time

Tinder Redesigns with AI

Tinder announces AI-powered partner search and matching to combat user churn.

What This Means for You:

Even the big ones struggle to keep users for their dating app.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Integrate AI assistants and tools (see our guide on AI-driven online dating platforms here) to help users on your dating site.
Update functionality with new API tools ready to use to keep users engaged. Dating Pro’s professionals can integrate these on any dating platform.
Track key engagement metrics (e.g., time spent in the app, return frequency) when testing AI features.

Viber: Messaging Apps Enter the Dating Scene

Viber officially launches a dating service and announces an e-wallet for monetization.

What This Means for You:

Messaging apps and dating services are merging, new competition.
Payments in messaging apps simplify monetization.
Companies with large user base can quickly scale dating functionality.
Users love a seamless experience combining communication, dating and payments.
Existing social graphs can enhance precise matchmaking.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Promote your dating platform through messaging apps as a new sales channel, e.g., launch a ready-made Telegram bot to expand user acquisition (see Dating Pro’s Telegram bot options here)* Implement in-app payment systems for your dating app.
Define cross-platform strategy for maximum reach on your dating service.

AI and Deepfakes: New Challenges for Dating

A McAfee study found 1 in 3 users thinks AI chatbots could “steal their heart,” 50% have faced AI-related fraud.

What This Means for You:

User verification tools are a must for dating platforms.
Platforms neglecting security lose user trust.
Combating AI fraud requires proprietary or 3rd party AI solutions.
Users expect more safety in premium offerings.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Introduce optional user verification (photos, videos, documents) on your dating site.
Use AI to detect fake profiles and deepfakes on your dating app.
Create educational content on safe online dating.
Offer premium with advanced security features.
Conduct regular security audits of your dating platform.

Stats from the Study:

33% of users could fall in love with an AI chatbot.
50% of dating app users have faced AI-related fraud.
30% of respondents know about deepfake risks in online dating.

Asian Boom: 88% of Youth in APAC Use Dating Apps

According to Tinder, 88% of young adults in the Asia-Pacific region use dating apps, India is growing exponentially.

What This Means for You:

Asia-Pacific is a growth driver for the dating industry.
Local cultural nuances require adapting standard approach for your dating platform.
Mobile traffic is over 95% in the region, mobile-first is a must for your dating app.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Adapt your dating site to regional languages, cultural norms and traditions.
Integrate local payment systems (e.g. Paytm, GrabPay, Alipay) into your dating software.
Partner with local influencers and brands for your dating service.

Stats from the Study:

88% of young people in Asia-Pacific use dating apps.
Over 95% of traffic in APAC comes from mobile devices.

Geopolitical Shift: Chinese Dating Apps Return to India

After Shein’s return, Chinese apps including popular dating services are back on App Store and Google Play in India.

What This Means for You:

Second largest market is open to international players in dating.
Regulatory barriers easing means opportunities for all dating platforms.
Geopolitical factors still influence entry into emerging markets.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Adapt your dating app for India’s multiple languages and dialects.
Hire local experts or outsource for regulatory risk management on your dating site.
Integrate Indian payment systems (e.g. UPI, Paytm) into your dating service.
Partner with local agencies for marketing and PR to promote your dating platform.

The Netflix Effect: How Streaming Is Changing Dating

Netflix and Hulu documentaries about Ashley Madison have seen a surge in users in India, moving the country from 8th to 6th place in new registrations and growing global user base to 85 million.

What This Means for You:

Media content is a growth driver for dating platforms.
Documentaries, series and TikTok shape public perception of dating services.
Registrations can increase by 20–30% after relevant content is released on streaming platforms.
Brand awareness through indirect channels for your dating app.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Monitor and respond to media trends around online dating.
Create your own content to attract producers for your dating site.
Develop crisis PR strategies in case of negative media coverage.
Partner with influencers to create content for your dating service.
Prepare for scalability on your dating platform during registration spikes.

Stats:

20–30% increase in registrations worldwide after a Netflix documentary release.
India rose from 8th to 6th place in new Ashley Madison users.
Ashley Madison’s total user base reached 85 million.

Tradition Meets AI: Revolution in Indian Matchmaking

AI is competing with traditional matchmakers in India.

What This Means for You:

AI is penetrating traditional matchmaking space.
Opportunity to combine tech and tradition for your dating app.* Use AI for traditional matchmaking on your dating site.

Mattr Raises £177K in Crowdfunding

British dating startup Mattr gets funded through crowdfunding.

What This Means for You:

With investors waiting for proven profit, startups like Mattr are looking at alternative funding.
Importance of business model and metrics for your dating platform.
Small innovative projects exist in the online dating space.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Explore alternative funding options for your dating app.
Prepare a business plan and metrics for your dating service.
Niche solutions for specific audiences on your dating site.
Ready-made tools for quick start with your dating software.

New Security Standards: Seeking.com Implements Biometric Verification

Seeking.com boosts platform security with new biometric verification, including selfies and liveness checks.

What This Means for You:

Biometric verification is being adopted by leading dating platforms like Seeking.com.
Security directly impacts user loyalty and retention for your dating app.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Make security part of your marketing strategy as it’s a trend in online dating for your dating site.

Global Dating Insights Power Book 2025

Global Dating Insights releases its first report of the year, the annual “Power Book,” featuring the most influential people in online dating and matchmaking.

What This Means for You:

New influential players and promising startups in the dating industry.
Opportunities to connect and partner with featured companies for your dating platform.
Benchmark your own practices against industry leaders for your dating app.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Study company case studies to adapt best practices for your dating site.
Use the report to connect with industry leaders to promote your dating service.
Aim to be featured in the next report by showing off innovative solutions for your dating software.

BODA: Going Back to Offline Dating Despite Digitization

The Bored of Dating Apps (BODA) project, launched by Jess Evans in 2022, had over 200 singles at its first event and now hosts meetups in London, Manchester and New York, offering real-life connections through parties, walks and themed gatherings.What This Means for You:

Some users still want traditional dating for in-person connections.
Community is key for dating platforms.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Add functionality to manage and promote offline events on your dating app.
Integrate ticket purchasing and RSVP management for your dating site.
Create a module for interest-based groups within your dating service.
Attract partners through branded merchandise and promotions for offline activities as an additional revenue stream for your online dating platform.

Stats:

200+ attended BODA’s first event.
Project has expanded to three cities (London, Manchester and New York).
Offers various formats (parties, walks, dinners, themed meetups).

New Research: Why Young People Are Skipping Parties

A new study reveals why young people are skipping nightlife and clubs, impacting dating and socializing .

What This Means for You:

Dating methods among youth are changing.
Economic factors affect youth income and dating platform engagement.

What This Means for You:

Temporary decline in youth activity on dating apps due to unstable incomes.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Free dating options aligned with youth values on your dating site.

Gen Z uses Travel for Real-Life Dating

A Priceline study shows 75% of Gen Z travelers in the US are more likely to visit destinations known for meeting new people.

What This Means for You:

New niche at the intersection of travel and dating industries.
Gen Z has higher demand for localized dating services for travelers.
Geolocation is key for “traveler” matchmaking on your dating app.

How to Use This for Your Platform:

Create a “Meet Locals” feature for tourists on your dating site.
Integrate info about popular meeting spots in various cities for your dating service.
Add language translation and cultural adaptation for your dating platform.

Stats from the Source:

75% more likely to visit destinations for meeting new people.
Trend is growing among youth in US and other developed countries.RSVP

Valentine’s Day 2025 round-up: how UK brands are treating romance. From ‘World dump day’ to ‘Knorrplay’, a look at some of this year’s brand love coming out of the UK.

Get the Dating Pro platform with a ready-to-use website and apps already published on the App Store, Google Play, Huawei, and Samsung stores. Discover dating platform features

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Dating Industry Digest | Match Group +3% Growth | $753M Stock Buyback | AI vs Swipe

AI in Dating: Scientific Approach vs. Human Experience

Match Group’s Financial Results: Growth Despite Economic Challenges

Match Group Insider Buy

Sell memberships and subscriptions on a ready-to-use dating website, App Store, Google Play, Huawei App Store, and Samsung Galaxy Store under your brand—our team takes care of the publishing for you. $2,990 one-time

Tinder Redesigns with AI

Viber: Messaging Apps Enter the Dating Scene

AI and Deepfakes: New Challenges for Dating

Asian Boom: 88% of Youth in APAC Use Dating Apps

Geopolitical Shift: Chinese Dating Apps Return to India

The Netflix Effect: How Streaming Is Changing Dating

Tradition Meets AI: Revolution in Indian Matchmaking

Mattr Raises £177K in Crowdfunding

New Security Standards: Seeking.com Implements Biometric Verification

Global Dating Insights Power Book 2025

BODA: Going Back to Offline Dating Despite Digitization

New Research: Why Young People Are Skipping Parties

Gen Z uses Travel for Real-Life Dating

Valentine’s Day 2025 round-up: how UK brands are treating romance. From ‘World dump day’ to ‘Knorrplay’, a look at some of this year’s brand love coming out of the UK.

Get the Dating Pro platform with a ready-to-use website and apps already published on the App Store, Google Play, Huawei, and Samsung stores. Discover dating platform features

Be the first to know about news in the dating industry!

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