Profiles

Dating app Bumble has updated its community guidelines to crack down on bad behaviors like ghosting and doxing, as well as to cut down on bots.

Bumble is coming down hard on the issue of bots by banning actions like “artificially influencing connections, matching, conversations, or engagement through the use of automation or scripting,” according to Tech Crunch. The app has blocked more than 8.2 million fake and spam accounts this year using AI. The problem of bots is an ongoing one for all dating apps, and using AI as a tool to identify and block these accounts benefits users in the long run.

In its guidelines, Bumble added clauses prohibiting adult content on its apps, including language in profiles and attempts to “buy, sell, or promote sexual content” according to Tech Crunch.

Popular dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and Grindr are trying new subscription pricing to continue to grow revenue, including premium pricing as well as discounts and short-term subscriptions for young Gen Z daters.

Dating app revenue has stalled in recent quarters, and to increase revenue and paying subscribers these companies are looking at out-of-the-box pricing. Match Group is especially motivated, as it has seen revenue drop the past few months while Bumble and Grindr are still seeing gains. Many are starting to offer premium services to highly motivated and more affluent daters, who are willing to spend $500 a month on a dating app if it means better, more curated matches.

On the other end of the spectrum, these same apps want to attract younger daters, specifically the Gen Z market. Match Group is starting to offer short-term weekly subscriptions for those singles who don’t want to commit, as well as discounted pricing to encourage young daters to pay for subscriptions, instead of just opting for the free service and paying for certain in-app features as needed.

In time for students headed off to college, Tinder has released a new safety guide to help them navigate dating on campus.

According to Campus Safety Magazine, Tinder sees the highest number of new eighteen-year-old users in August and September when the school year begins. And while freshmen are excited to meet new people and date, dating violence is common on college campuses. Tinder wanted to take a proactive step and provide some guidance.

Tinder’s “Campus Crush Dating Guide” provides advice to help users meet people and date more safely, including knowing their self-worth and what they want from dating. The app points out the large number of users on college campuses, and encourages users to write complete bios, post at least four photos, and list their interests (with an emphasis on music preferences), so that they can attract the right matches.

A fast-growing percentage of Grindr users are turning to the gay dating app not to find a relationship, or even a hookup. Instead, they are looking to network for career advancement.

According to The Advocate, Grindr said almost a quarter of its members use the app to network, and that a spokesperson for the company said it’s an “effective tool” for those looking to connect with other gay men for both personal and professional relationships.

Traditionally, singles have avoided mixing work and personal relationships over dating apps, especially when they could get matched with a boss or co-worker. But now, according to Grindr’s own survey of its users, “approximately 25 percent say that one of their key activities on Grindr is to network,” according to The Advocate. A Grindr spokesperson told Business Insider in an email: “We know people use our app to meet new people in their area and in new towns, and we also have plenty of anecdotal evidence of people making connections that lead to professional opportunities like jobs.”

Image: eHarmony

eHarmony announced that it is adding an expanded list of genders for its members to choose from, aiming to give them a more inclusive experience. The company worked in partnership with GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Awareness ) to develop the new updates.

Users will now be able to choose from an expanded list of genders, and during the registration process, they will be asked what gender best describes them to best match them with potential dates. Members will also be given more opportunity to talk about and add more detail about their gender when they complete the “personal information” form in the process. Users can also choose to display their gender on their profile, according to GLAAD's website.

Members will be able to list their gender preferences when it comes to matches as well, including whether they are seeking men, women nonbinary, or any combination of these.

Match Group has hired a new Vice President of Innovation, a role that will direct the use of AI over its suite of apps.

Mark Kantor comes from his previous role as head of growth at Zynga, and co-founded startups like Yellowbrick and Grafitti, according to Tech Crunch. He will lead a team of engineers and product designers in harnessing AI technology for new features. According to an internal memo received by Tech Crunch, the new team is called ASL, which stands for Art x Science Lab, but is also a reference to an online pickup line (“age, sex, location”).

AI has been a tool that dating apps have incorporated in various ways, including in algorithms to better understand user preferences when delivering potential matches. Now with tools like ChatGPT, daters are using AI for profile-writing and messages, so dating app companies like Match Group are seeing opportunity.