Features

Tinder announced that it is testing its newest feature Swipe Surge – inspired by popular ride-hailing app Uber’s surge pricing when it operates at the busiest times.

Swipe Surge will offer push notifications to users when Tinder usage spikes in a specific geographic area, alerting users to dating opportunities (rather than traffic jams). As Tinder noted, when more people are on the app, the chances of matching increase.

It works like this: if a user opts in to Swipe Surge, their profile goes to the front of the line (virtually speaking), so other users who are also swiping during the surge will see them first. (This advantage is normally reserved for those paying for it at non-peak times.) Those participating in Swipe Surge will also be identified by a badge on their profile.

New Branding Effort for Tinder

Match Group is looking to differentiate their suite of dating apps acquired over the past few years, including star Tinder and relationship-focused app Hinge.

On a call with investors, Match Group CEO Mandy Ginsberg shared that the company is looking at better defining their brands, according to website Tech Crunch. This means that Match Group has decided to embrace the hook-up reputation of Tinder to attract younger users from 18-25, who aren’t necessarily looking for a long-term relationship.

Match Group will launch a new branding effort called “single lifestyle” with billboard campaigns and digital initiatives. It’s begun publishing content on the “Swipe Life” website with stories about travel and dating. Recent articles have included “7 Exit Strategies for Terrible Dates,” and “Study Abroad Hookup Confessions.”

Badoo announced the launch of a new feature that the dating app company says will curb ghosting.

The feature offers pre-existing responses to users who might have ghosted their matches. For example, if you haven’t responded in three days to a match’s message, you’ll get a gentle nudge with offers of what to say, depending on whether you want to meet the person or just move on. Badoo wants to improve the online dating experience by encouraging users to be more communicative with their matches.

The responses Badoo offers vary. If a user is interested in a date, they can choose: "Hey, sorry for the late reply. When are you free to meet?" If a user is not that into a match, then they can choose, "Hey I think you're great, but I don't see us as a match. Take care!"

Dating app Hinge is getting serious with its mission to help people form long-term relationships. This week, it became the first dating app to launch a breakthrough feature called “We Met,” offering its users an opportunity to give feedback on their dates.

“We Met” will allow two matched members to privately confirm if they actually went on a first date and share how the date went. Hinge will then use this information to suggest better matches, with the goal of refining its algorithms to yield better first dates – ones with relationship potential.

The information users share is kept confidential, so no need to worry about whether your date will find out what you said. The main idea is for Hinge to improve the matchmaking process with more real-world data. (Though if your date gets too drunk or stands you up, for instance, Hinge also allows its users report disrespectful behavior.)

The DNA Romance dating platform disrupts the way people connect online by using Genetics and Psychology to matchmake people based on all three elements of human attraction:

1. Personality
2. Chemistry
3. Appearance

DNA Romance enhances the transparency of online dating by providing evidence based matchmaking going beyond appearance and questionnaires.

Image: bumble

Hold the (smart) phone. After years as an app-only platform, Bumble has launched a web version of its popular dating service for use on laptops, desktops, and tablets.

Bumble announced the news with a blog post and video that offer a glimpse of the sleek, user-friendly Bumble Web experience. Current users can access their accounts on www.bumble.com by signing in via their usual method (Facebook or phone number). New users still need to create an account through the app before using the browser version, but Bumble promises that functionality is coming to Bumble Web soon. If you don't see the "Sign In" button yet on the Bumble website toolbar, check back soon as Bumble Web may not yet be available in your area.

Once signed in, the simple interface displays existing chats and matches in a column to the left of the screen. Potential new matches appear to the right. Users can scroll through a profile using the up and down arrow keys or by clicking the up and down arrows at the top and bottom of the profile. To like or pass on a profile, use the left and right arrow keys or click the two prominent icons at the bottom of the screen.