Tinder rejects Moments with New Update

Tinder
  • Monday, November 30 2015 @ 06:44 am
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Tinder just released a new update to its popular dating app, but decided to swipe left on its Snapchat-like “Moments” feature. The Moments feature was first offered to Tinder users a year ago, but now has been removed from the app’s latest update.

With Moments, Tinder users could share photos that expired after 24 hours, hoping to pique the interest of their matches. Moments also allowed users to stylize photos with filters, paintbrush, and the ability to write text over the image. The purpose of Moments was, according to Tinder co-founder Sean Rad, to jumpstart conversations among matches. If a match liked your Moment, they could swipe right. The app would notify you of their interest, and then you could both start chatting.

Last year when Moments first launched, Rad was pleased with consumers’ response. In an interview at tech event TC Disrupt he declared that due to Moments, Tinder had “seen a massive increase in conversations started and post-match engagement.”

News about Tinder’s latest update focused on the new features the app is offering, such as a revamp to the Profile and Inbox. The update allows users to add employment/education information into their profiles. The Inbox now places new matches in the top bar and current conversations in the lower part of the screen. There were also slight improvements on the backend with an update to Tinder’s algorithms.

No mention was made from Tinder about the absence of Moments, or that the company also got rid of its “Last Active” feature, which let users know the last time someone used the app. With the new update, Last Active disappeared as well.

Website Tech Crunch attributes the loss of Moments to the popularity of Snapchat. Likely Tinder users would just use Snapchat or other similar apps with any potential matches instead of using the Tinder feature. Plus, Tinder partnered with Instagram to let users use their recent Instagram photos as an extension of their Tinder profiles. With these offerings, Moments might have lost some traction.

Users did notice Moments’ absence however, and took to Twitter and review postings to let the company know they were not happy with this move. The most vocal opponents let their voices be heard with tweets like: “why is tinder getting rid of moments? that was like its best feature tbh.”

So far, the company hasn’t responded to inquiries of why they decided to ditch the features. Perhaps we’ll know more with Tinder’s next update. For more on this dating app you can read our review of Tinder.

PerfectMatch.com Closes

PerfectMatch.com
  • Sunday, November 29 2015 @ 04:56 pm
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  • Views: 3,225
Perfect Match Dating Site Shuts Down

The once popular dating site PerfectMatch.com has closed down. When you visit the service you are shown a goodbye message. The message states that the dating site has closed down and any remaining time on your subscription that is left will be refunded in full on to your original form of payment.

From around 2005 to 2010 Perfect Match was a popular choice for singles interested in online dating. The site was featured in a number of popular movies like Must Love Dogs and appear on talk TV shows like Dr. Phil and Live with Regis and Kelly. PerfectMatch used the Duet Total Compatibility System which was created in part by the relationship expert Dr. Schwartz. This dating service emphasized long-term relationships and had a detailed profile and complex matching algorithm.

Unfortunately Perfect Match didn't stay current with technology and let their product go stale. As far as I know there never was a mobile app released ever on the iPhone or Android phones. In 2011 PerfectMatch was acquired by FriendFinder which didn't help the dating service at all and it continued to slowly slide into obscurity.

4 Signs Your Date Is Just Not That Into You

Tips
  • Sunday, November 29 2015 @ 08:45 am
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  • Views: 1,204

It's that time of year again. Leaves are changing color and falling to the ground. Starbucks has unleashed seasonal flavors and holiday cups. Temperatures are dropping and the sun sets before 5pm.

It's cuffing season.

For those unfamiliar with the term, let me explain. “Cuffing season” comes annually as cool weather approaches, when singletons become obsessed with finding someone to cuddle with. After a summer of low-stress dates and sexy flings, flying solo suddenly seems far less appealing than coupling up and sharing body heat.

With cuffing season comes more dates. With more dates comes more bad dates. And with those bad dates comes more people willing to settle in the name of having someone to spoon. Cuffing season or no cuffing season, resist the urge to pursue a match when intuition tells you it isn't right. Here are # signs that your date is just not that into you.

  1. They take a long time to respond to your messages. Sometimes work really is hectic and things like dating slip through the cracks. It happens. But more often than not, if someone doesn't reply to your messages in a timely fashion, it's because getting to know you isn't a priority. If they're interested, they'll act interested. That means replying within an appropriate timeframe.
  2. They never set up an actual date. You've messaged back and forth but there are no plans for an in-person meetup. Congratulations, you now have an internet penpal. Someone who wants to date you will, surprise, take steps to arrange an actual date. After the initial digital getting-to-know-you phase is done, it's time to ask for a phone number or plan to meet. If things aren't moving forward, it's time to move on.
  3. They don't ask questions. This is Dating 101. A person who is interested in you will ask you questions because they want to learn more about you. If they're silent, there are three possibilities. One, your date could be shy and too nervous to hold the conversation they really want to have. Two, your date is self-absorbed and only wants to talk about themselves. Three, they're just not that into you.
  4. They don't mention a second date. Could it be any clearer? Second dates are often arranged before the first date is over. You're just trying to enjoy your dessert and already your date is making plans for next weekend. We know when we've found a good thing and we want to lock it down ASAP. Someone who doesn't bring up your next time together within a reasonable period isn't interested in a next time at all.

Pick your ego up from the floor, dust it off, and get back in the ring. Cuffing season has only just begun.

An eHarmony Cyber Monday Canadian Special

eHarmony
  • Friday, November 27 2015 @ 08:30 am
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  • Views: 1,338

eHarmony is offering a 4 day Cyber Monday Special this weekend in Canada. It starts Friday November 27th and ends on Monday November 30th, 2015.

With this special you can receive up to 75% off on select memberships at eHarmony. This is a great deal for singles who are looking to try out online dating. To receive the deal you don't have to do anything more than signup to eHarmony by November 30th. Once you have created your membership and completed the profile questionnaire you will find the discounted prices on your membership subscription page.

For more information about this online dating site, you can read our review of eHarmony review.

eHarmony Free Trial this Thanksgiving Weekend - 2015

eHarmony
  • Thursday, November 26 2015 @ 06:30 am
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  • Views: 1,698

eHarmony is offering a 5 day free trial this Thanksgiving weekend here in the United States. It starts Thursday November 26th and ends on Monday November 30th, 2015.

If you are single, the holidays can be harder on you especially when family and friends keep asking the same question - Have you met anyone new? If you are not out shopping for gifts (hopefully you have finished because those lines can get crazy), what better way to fix your predicament this holiday weekend than looking for your ideal match. Trust me you are not alone in this. Dating services like eHarmony are extremely busy during the holidays for this reason alone. If you are looking for a steady long-term relationship then eHarmony should be the dating service you want to try out. Their complex matching algorithm, which has had millions of dollars in research spent on it, sends eHarmony members new quality matches everyday for them to review. During the free trial, communication is free so if one or more match sparks your interest, you can send them messages.

Signing up to eHarmony is easy to do and free. All you need to do is complete the membership signup process and the matching questionnaire (which takes about 30 minutes). Once complete eHarmony will analyze your profile and send you your first set of matches. This process is completely free and no credit card is required. Just remember free trials do not include photos, secure call (a phone service), or skip straight to email. You will have to purchase a membership to use these features directly.

For more information about this service (the website and dating app) which looks to create long-term relationships between it's members, you can read our review of eHarmony.

Spark Networks Reports Third Quarter 2015 Financial Results

Finances
  • Wednesday, November 25 2015 @ 09:12 am
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Online dating provider Spark Networks has released its financial report for the third quarter of 2015, revealing a mix of highs and lows.

The company suffered a 22 percent drop in its year-on-year revenue, taking in a total of $11.7 million for the third quarter. Along with the dip in profit, Spark Networks also saw a net income loss of $822,000 for the quarter, compared to its $95,000 loss for Q2 of 2015.

But it's not all bad news. The report also highlights positive results that could mean things are looking up for next year:

  • Both Jewish and Christian Networks show simultaneous subscriber growth for first time since Q1 2013
  • Spark's mobile presence now exceeds over 200,000 monthly active users across five brands
  • The acquisition of JSwipe expands Spark's offering for the Jewish community
  • The re-launch of both JDate and ChristianMingle is on schedule for Q4 2015

CEO Michael Egan stated, "The last three months represent a true inflection point for Spark Networks and the clearest indication yet that we are on the right path towards turning this business around.” He notes four achievements in particular that he believes will be instrumental in getting Spark Networks back on track.

First, the subscriber base grew for the first time in two years. The growth was modest, but it came during what is traditionally a seasonally slow period. The momentum could carry into Q4 and Q1 2016, which are typically the strongest seasonal periods for Spark.

The second accomplishment is a record contribution margin on ChristianMingle. A new marketing strategy, and more sophisticated communications with members, has proved to be highly beneficial for the service.

Third is the launch of a handful of new mobile applications. Only a year ago, the company didn't have a single native mobile app. Today Spark Networks has nine apps across five different brands representing over 200,000 monthly active users. CrossPaths, targeted at millennial Christians seeking to meet others who share their faith, has been especially valuable.

Finally, in early October, Spark Networks closed the strategic acquistion of Smooch Labs. As the developer of popular Jewish millennial dating app JSwipe, Smooch Labs is a powerful new ally for Spark. With JSwipe added to JDate, which traditionally serves an older audience, Spark Networks now offers well-rounded romantic solutions to all singles of the Jewish faith.

Successes aside, Egan knows there is still work to be done. “We remain committed to driving revenue and EBITDA growth and continuing to execute against our product improvement roadmap,” he said. “Through both organic development and acquisitions we are proving that we can build and grow fantastic brands that serve important market niches. It is a very exciting time for Spark."

For more information on the popular Spark Networks dating sites and apps you can read our review of Christian Mingle and JDate.

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