Grindr’s $3.46B deal collapses | Japan bets on voice-first dating | Dog lovers get their own app

Hinge discovers Gen Z wants deep talks but won’t start them

Hinge just surveyed 30,000+ users for its 2025 Gen Z D.A.T.E. Report and found a delicious paradox: 84% of Gen Z daters crave deeper emotional connections, yet 62% believe they ask enough questions while only 30% feel their dates do the same. The culprit? Fear of seeming “too intense.” Meanwhile, 60% of younger daters (18-22) are open to AI as a virtual dating coach. Apparently, asking “How about you?” is now a form of emotional labor. https://hinge.co/newsroom/2025-GenZ-Report

Grindr’s $3.46 billion fairytale ends at financing

The LGBTQ+ dating platform walked away from a take-private proposal after its special committee couldn’t get satisfactory financing details from investors Ray Zage and James Lu. Despite controlling 60%+ of shares and offering a 51% premium, the deal collapsed over “uncertainty.” Grindr’s stock dropped 12% on the news, but the company remains confident in its 26% revenue growth forecast. Sometimes the biggest deals ghost you too. https://www.reuters.com/business/grindr-special-committee-ends-talks-take-private-proposal-2025-11-24/

New dating app requires you to love dogs (non-negotiable)

Frolly launched in Charlotte with a refreshingly honest premise: if you’re not a dog person, swipe elsewhere. Founded after entrepreneur Cindy Himmel’s daughter dumped someone for “not being that into dogs” — which, honestly, valid. The app lets you create profiles for both yourself and your pup, donates 25% of profits to animal welfare, and is expanding nationally. First six months free, then $12/month. Your Labrador might finally earn their keep as a wingman. https://www.vice.com/en/article/dating-app-for-dog-owners-frolly/

Shaadi.com eyes IPO as India’s matchmaking market heats up

People Interactive India, operator of 26-year-old matrimonial giant Shaadi.com, is in early talks with investment bankers about a potential stock market listing. The platform competes with Matrimony.com and Jeevansathi.com in a market where IPO proceeds have exceeded $19 billion this year alone. Founded by Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal, Shaadi.com has facilitated over 3.5 million marriages. From arranging weddings to arranging shareholder meetings — that’s one impressive pivot. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-20/indian-wedding-matchmaker-shaadi-com-is-said-to-consider-ipo

Facebook Dating quietly beats Hinge with 21 million daily users

Remember when Facebook announced dating features and everyone collectively rolled their eyes? Turns out your uncle’s favorite app now hosts one of the world’s largest dating services — over 21 million daily users versus Hinge’s 15 million. Meta’s secret weapon: it’s completely free and leverages existing social graphs. The company is now adding AI features including a “Dating Assistant” and “Meet Cute” (one curated match per week). Gen Z is apparently using Facebook again, just not for the reasons their parents hoped. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/technology/facebook-dating-service.html

Japanese voice-first app Voicetep raises ¥200M to skip the photo swipe

Tokyo-based Voicetep secured $1.27 million to expand its refreshingly analog approach: matches start with voice calls, not profile photos. The patented app launched in April 2025 and added an AI “Conversation Skill Diagnosis” that analyzes your calls and offers improvement tips. In a market drowning in filters and carefully curated selfies, betting on voice feels almost rebelliously authentic. Or terrifying, depending on how you sound before coffee. https://thebridge.jp/en/2025/11/dating-app-voicetep-raises-¥200-million-accelerates-enhancement-of-voice-conversation-dating-app-and-platform

Cuffing season drives another dating app usage spike

As temperatures drop, dating app downloads rise — a phenomenon researchers at Texas State University have now documented with seasonal data patterns. Winter really does make people more interested in finding a partner, particularly between late fall and Valentine’s Day. The science suggests biological factors plus holiday social pressure create prime conditions for romance-seeking behavior. Your sudden November urge to download Hinge is apparently ancestral. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251124-cuffing-season-is-winter-the-season-for-romance

Romance fraud grows as Seeking’s CTO sounds the alarm

Hoony Youn, CTO at Seeking, warns that romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect. The interview highlights how AI and deepfakes are supercharging traditional romance fraud tactics. Dating platforms are investing more in verification and fraud detection, but scammers evolve faster than defenses. For dating platform owners, safety features aren’t optional — they’re competitive advantages. https://techround.co.uk/interviews/hoony-youn-chief-technology-officer-at-seeking-speaks-on-romance-fraud-as-a-growing-provlem/

ChatGPT-assisted flirting becomes mainstream burden

Le Monde reports that AI-powered dating assistance has gone from novelty to necessity for many online daters. Users increasingly rely on ChatGPT to craft opening lines, maintain conversations, and even plan dates. The irony: what started as a tool to reduce dating fatigue may be creating a new kind of exhaustion — managing AI-generated personas while seeking authentic connection. When both parties are using AI, is anyone actually dating? https://www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/article/2025/11/29/chatgpt-assisted-flirting-when-online-dating-becomes-a-burden_6747956_13.html

Gleeden survey finds India questioning traditional monogamy norms

The extramarital dating app’s 2025 survey reveals shifting attitudes among Indian users across Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. 27% of respondents now consider relationship drama a red flag rather than passion. The findings suggest growing openness to non-traditional relationship structures, particularly among younger demographics. The definition of “committed relationship” continues expanding globally. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/business/embracing-new-experiences-gleedens-2025-survey-highlights-how-love-relationships-are-perceived-by-genx-millennials-genz/

QuackQuack hits 40 million users as intercity dating rises

The Indian dating app reports strong growth driven by users connecting across cities rather than locally. The platform positions itself for users seeking serious relationships, capitalizing on India’s mobile-first dating market. With international players like Bumble and Tinder competing for Indian users, homegrown apps are finding niches by understanding local dating culture better. https://smestreet.in/sectors/quackquack-sees-40-million-users-as-intercity-dating-rises-10681585

Dating apps may be influencing cosmetic procedure decisions

Research covered by NDTV explores correlation between dating app usage and cosmetic procedures among women. The visual-first nature of swipe-based apps appears connected to increased interest in appearance enhancement. While causation remains debated, the findings raise questions about how dating platform design affects user wellbeing beyond match rates. https://www.ndtv.com/lifestyle/are-dating-apps-influencing-cosmetic-procedures-among-women-what-research-says-9645356

Widowed singles get dedicated speed dating events

Chapter 2 Dating hosted a “Widowed Speed Social” event in London, creating space specifically for those who’ve lost partners. The event highlights growing recognition that niche dating experiences serve underserved populations better than general platforms. At 4.2% of London’s population being widowed, this represents a meaningful market segment. https://london-tv.co.uk/4-2-of-londoners-are-widowed-now-a-new-event-is-helping-them-find-love-again/

Over a quarter of U.S. marriages now begin on dating apps

DatingSitesReviews reports that 26%+ of American marriages now start from app matches — a milestone that normalizes digital-first romance. The data point serves as powerful social proof for the entire online dating industry. For platform owners, this statistic answers the “do these apps actually work?” question definitively. https://www.datingsitesreviews.com/article.php?story=over-a-quarter-of-u-s–marriages-began-on-dating-apps

TikTok creators deliver 159% better engagement than traditional ads

For dating brands spending on digital marketing, TikTok’s data shows creator partnerships dramatically outperform standard advertising. The insight suggests dating platforms should prioritize influencer collaborations over traditional ad buys. User-generated content and authentic creator endorsements resonate more with app-fatigued audiences. https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/featured/tiktok-says-creators-deliver-159-better-engagement-than-ads/

happn launches “Perfect Date” venue recommendation feature

The proximity-based dating app now suggests ideal date locations based on shared preferences. The feature addresses a practical friction point: matching is easy, but planning dates requires effort. By integrating venue discovery into the matching experience, happn aims to reduce drop-off between match and meetup. https://www.happn.com/press/perfect-date-la-nouvelle-fonctionnalité-pour-trouver-un-lieu-de-date-idéal

AI in dating now predicts the “click” before you feel it

Modern matching algorithms have moved way beyond age-city-interests checkboxes. They now analyze who you actually message (not just “like for the collection”), how fast you reply, and which conversations die after two messages. The result: your app starts to “know you personally” — for better or worse. Add AI companions that learn your humor preferences and safety layers that catch scammers faster than your gut does, and suddenly human Cupids feel almost… artisanal. https://www.datingpro.com/blog/ai-in-dating-from-chatbots-to-hyper-personalized-matches/

The only dating metrics that matter (and most founders ignore half of them)

CAC, LTV, ARPU, retention — four letters that determine whether your platform scales or bleeds. The golden rule: LTV must be at least 3× CAC. Typical benchmarks? Day-7 retention of 10-25%, activation rate of 40-55%, and ARPU of $0.7-$5. If your numbers fall short, the culprit is usually empty onboarding screens, too few real profiles, or a registration flow longer than a first date. Dating users love micro-actions — boosts, shortcuts, instant perks — not subscription commitments. Your spreadsheet doesn’t lie, even when your users ghost you. https://www.datingpro.com/blog/key-metrics-for-your-dating-startup-from-cac-to-ltv-and-retention/

Swipe, like, or voice: your interaction model is your brand statement

Swiping says “fast, fun, easy” — but creates matches that often lack substance. Liking says “curated, intentional, serious” — better for niche platforms targeting over-30 or long-term seekers. Voice messaging says “personal, human, different” — and can break trust barriers faster than any polished profile photo. Each mechanic supports different monetization: swipes drive daily limits and boosts, likes create scarcity value, voice enables premium intros. Choose wrong, and your users feel the friction before they feel the chemistry. https://www.datingpro.com/blog/swipe-like-or-voice-message-how-to-choose-the-right-dating-app-interaction-mechanic/