Hinge Removes its Audio and Video Calling Feature
Contributed by: kellyseal on Monday, October 02 2023 @ 02:39 pm
Last modified on Monday, October 02 2023 @ 03:03 pm
Dating app Hinge recently removed the audio and video calling feature from its app, posting that people were no longer using the feature as much as they had during the pandemic.
Hinge introduced the features early on during lockdowns so that Hinge users could virtually engage rather than risk exposure through in-person meet-ups. However, things have changed since then. According to Fast Company, Hinge noted that people would rather meet in person to see if there’s a connection than do a video date.
While this move might not be a surprise to Hinge users, the company did not announce it to the press. Instead, Hinge only mentioned it in an undated blog post[*1] in its Help Center, according to Fast Company[*2] .
“After much consideration, Hinge has decided to remove the Voice and Video Calling feature from the platform,” the company said in the post. “While we continue to look for ways to improve the app, consider trying voice notes or messaging with your match to get to know them further.”
Hinge was not the only app to add a video and audio calling feature to its platform during the pandemic. Tinder and Bumble also debuted these features early on as a way to help people connect safely. Neither Tinder nor Bumble has removed the features from their platforms to date.
Hinge is still keeping a video feature for profiles, so that users can record and post a short video to better express their personalities. According to Hinge, video profiles provide more information about the person and can attract better matches compared to profiles with pictures only.
Now, dating apps are focused on AI, and harnessing it to develop new features. Tinder and Bumble have employed AI for safety-related features like photo verification and blurring lewd photos so that the recipients can report or block a user without having to view the offending images. Bumble also offers a feature that identifies words that are problematic and asks the user if they want to read it. Tinder’s similar feature scans a user’s draft message for problematic language, and asks them if they really want to send it (encouraging them to revise).
Many dating apps scrambled to offer video and audio features during the pandemic too, though user interest in these features has decreased since 2020. In-person events like speed dating are gaining in popularity once again, as are brief coffee dates to meet a match and see if there’s a connection.
For more on this dating service, you can read our Hinge reviews.