Popular dating app Tinder is testing a new feature called Feed, aimed at providing users more insight to their matches, and to help spark conversations.

Feed consists of a real-time feed of social media posts from a user’s matches, specifically posts from Instagram and Spotify. The idea is that users can look at what their matches are virtually sharing moment by moment to get a better idea of what they are like – what they are listening to at any given time, where they are, and what they like doing.

The new feature will appear as a tab in the messages screen, according to website Tech Crunch. Users can respond directly to posts in their Feed without having to go back to the profile screen, making it easy to interact. Instead of having to be too descriptive in the profile, or thinking of something unique to say as an introduction, users can let their Instagram photos and playlists speak for themselves.

Recipient
OkCupid

The 2018 Editor's award for Top Pick - Innovative goes to OkCupid. OkCupid is a dating service that really wants to match you with the right person. With OkCupids Match Questions feature it allows users to post questions for other members to anwser. You can even sepecify to have 1 or more questions to be answered before they can send you an actually message. Privacy is very important OkCupid. Members don't know if you have ever visited their profiles unless you like them or send them a message.

Speaking of messages, OkCupid revamped their member communication system recently. Gone is the traditional dating messaging system where you can message any member you want. With the new Conversations feature members can only message and/or read messages from someone else if they have either sent them a message first or expressed interest. This feature has increased matches on OkCupid by over 30% while decreasing unwanted messages by almost 70%.

Any company needs to evolve in order to stay relevant, and given the especially speedy pace at which the world of online dating advances, it’s even more important for companies in the industry to regularly innovate.

OkCupid has remained a leading name in the market since its launch 13 years ago. But that also makes it one of the older names, facing stiff competition from younger upstarts like Tinder and Bumble.

To ensure it remains a go-to for singles in an increasingly saturated industry, OkCupid has announced a major update to its messaging system. Open messaging - which allows any user to contact any other user without restrictions - will be eliminated a favor of a system more akin to those of Bumble and Tinder, in which only users who have indicated interest in each other can easily access each other's conversations.

Recipient
MillionaireMatch

MillionaireMatch is the winner of the Editor's Top Pick - Wealthy Award for 2018. The number of members at MillionaireMatch grew by over 20% in 2017 and now has over 3.4 million. To access the service you can visit their website at Millionairematch.com or download one of their dating apps for iOS and Android. The MillionaireMatch dating service is designed to match singles who have money with those who are looking for a more luxurious lifestyle.

One of the benefits of using this service is that members can have their income, occupation, and photos verified. Verified members profiles are tagged with a special icon so others can see their verification status. It is easy to join, you need to either login with your Facebook account or use your email address. Members start off with a free profile. From there they can upload photos, finish off their profile, and search for members. Free members can also reply to other members messages but cannot initiate a conversation. To do this they must become a subscriber of a Gold membership.

Add dating to your list of New Year resolutions, because chances are, you’ll meet someone in January.

Online dating has a high season, and it seems the spirit of the holidays all the way through Valentine’s Day puts people in the mood for finding love.

A study by dating site Match revealed that more than any other time of year, people flock to dating sites between December 26^th and February 14^th. The numbers are telling – 50 million messages sent and 1 million dates happen during this time, and Sunday January 7^th is apparently the busiest day (and the best time to join – specifically 8:55pm EST).

Recipient
OurTime

OurTime in 2018 is the recipient of the Editor's Top Pick - Senior Award. OurTime is accessible not only by their website at OurTime.com but also on iOS and Android phones from their dating app. The service is designed for older singles who are 50 or more.

At OurTime the basic membership is free and can be completed in a few minutes. You can then decide either to search for members that are compatible with you and spark an interest or, continue on and complete your full profile. As a free member you can search, view profiles and pictures but your communications options are limited unless you purchase a subscription. Paid memberships can cost as little as $15 per month depending on length of term, etc.