Hinge Launches New Relationship Type Feature

Image: Hinge

Dating app Hinge is venturing outside of traditional monogamy offerings on its app to launch its newest feature “Relationship Type,” where users can specify what kind of relationship they are looking for.

According to Tech Crunch, Relationship Type categories include “monogamous,” “non-monogamous” and “figuring out my relationship type.” This update allows for easier filtering through matches, though it is optional to add it to your profile. It will be posted in the “virtues” section of the profile.

This feature expands on the “Dating Intentions” feature that Hinge launched over the summer, where users could specify whether they were looking for long-term or short-term partners, or if they didn’t know. Now, they can do the same for non-monogamous preferences. As Tech Crunch pointed out, there is also room to better explain your relationship goals through the app’s “Backstory” open text option.

How to set Relationship Types on Hinge

Image: Hinge

In recent years there has been a rise in preferences for non-traditional relationships, specifically non-monogamous. According to a recent survey Hinge took of its users, one in five would consider an open relationship, and 10 percent of those surveyed said they’d already tried open relationships, according to BBC. Younger Gen Z users are also driving the changes.

Hinge saw an opportunity to satisfy and retain these non-monogamous daters, who have options to go to non-monogamous-based apps like Feeld or PolyFinda, but since Hinge already has a large user base (and users who prefer non-traditional relationships), it’s a more attractive option for singles than turning to an app with a smaller, more specific user base.

“Hinge is the place for all daters to find intentional and meaningful romantic connections, and I want it to enter a new era of dating where the word ‘relationship’ defies traditional and heteronormative meaning,” said Michelle Parsons, chief product officer at Hinge, in the company’s press release.

It’s an interesting move for a dating app that markets itself as “designed to be deleted,” and focused much of its features on helping people find lasting relationships. With the trend in non-monogamy rising, there is also opportunity for the app to help people find non-traditional and short-term relationships, too.

“With the launch of Relationship Types, we are empowering users to openly share what kind of relationship they are looking for, and as a result, have a new way to know if someone’s dating goals match theirs from the moment they look at their profile,” Parsons said.

Relationship Type is available globally for all Hinge users. To find out more about this service you can read our Hinge dating app review.