Aubrey Ferreira’s Post

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about why everyone feels dating apps are so terrible. “Talk to your friends, scroll social media, or just sit in a bar and listen, and you’ll encounter a similar sentiment: Millennials are tired of dating apps, and Gen Z singles might not bother with them. A 2023 survey of college and graduate students found 79% don’t use dating apps even once a month.” The illusion of infinite choice apps present us with feels freeing… but is actually paralysing. “Scarcity is often what creates meaning. When you’re surrounded by infinite possibilities, when you know around the corner is another video that might be funnier or more to your liking, you’re never going to sit with the thing that’s in front of you. You’re never going to be forced to have the patience or fortitude or the willpower to fight through something and figure out if you truly like it or not. Whereas I think fighting that generic quality and figuring out at least one thing that brings you joy and you’re passionate about and that makes that change happen in your brain, makes you have this encounter you never expected. That’s the only thing that’s worth doing in life, kind of. Why would you want to have the generic experience? Why would you want the lowest common dominator results of recommendation?” This quote comes from a recent episode of the Ezra Klein show about the loss of personal taste and curation due to the rise of algorithms – not dating apps. But I couldn’t help think of them when hearing it. So maybe this frustration is not wholly the fault of the apps themselves (although can we agree they're terrible?), but the way that algorithms across the internet have trained our brains to think about how we make choices and curate our lives. This applies to everything from fashion to interior design and the rise of extremely homogenised aesthetics – to how and who we date. Interested to hear other people’s thoughts on this. (Please reassure me I'm not the only person who's used a dating app recently. Also, lol @ me talking about dating on LinkedIn.) - - - - *Un-sourced quote is from the article "Dating Apps Are In Their Flop Era," Bustle.

Would love to know your thoughts on this op-ed!

Ever Thought About How Dating Apps Reel You In? Imagine this: you're casually swiping left and right, matching up with potential dates, and it all feels like a walk in the park. But did you ever wonder how on earth dating apps keep you coming back for more? It's "𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆" at Play Ever noticed how setting up your profile on Bumble Inc. is as easy as pie? Well, that's no coincidence. Dating apps have figured out the art of stress-free sign-ups. They keep it simple, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. It's all about making you feel at ease right from the get-go. They want you to dip your toes in without feeling overwhelmed in the "trying out" phase. Ever been super curious about who likes you but had no clue who they are? That's all part of the plan. Dating apps spill the beans on the numbers but keep identities under wraps, creating this itch you just have to scratch. It's basic human nature, you know. Seeking closure and answers makes you dig deeper, maybe even consider upgrading just to satisfy that curiosity. Ever felt oddly loyal to a dating app? Yep, you guessed it—it's because of their generosity. Apps like Bumble throw in some premium features for free, making you feel like you're getting a sweet deal. And when you get something valuable without even asking? Well, it triggers this natural instinct to give back. It's like a secret handshake that makes you want to stick around. So, the next time you're swiping through potential matches, remember—it's not just fate at play. It's a sly psychological game crafted to connect you with others. Here's to the world of digital matchmaking, where a simple swipe can lead to a match made in heaven! 🚀❤️ #DatingApps #PsychologyMagic #DigitalMatchmaking

Dating apps can cost users hundreds of dollars a month, as free versions turn ‘borderline unusable,’ coach says-- Dating apps use paid features to entice users--Dating app costs can cut into other expenses--Paying for premium dating apps doesn’t promise love-- friendship-making apps are becoming mainstream KEY POINTS ·        The era of free dating apps may be over: Companies are trying to boost revenue, while single people increasingly feel the apps are the only way to find love. ·        Some 35% of Americans who have used a dating website or app have paid to do so at some point, according to a recent report by Pew Research Center. ·        “The days of venture capital-subsidized swiping are over,” said Blaine Anderson, a dating coach in Austin, Texas, who said her clients spend hundreds of dollars a month on dating apps. Channing Muller moved to Chicago in May from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her main goal in the new city was to find a partner. Already a Bumble user, before long, she was subscribed to three more dating apps: The League, Hinge and Match. Muller wanted to get the most out of the platforms, so she signed up for their paid versions. At times, she was spending more than $100 a month on the apps. “When you’re serious about looking for a relationship, you’re going to put your money where your mouth is,” said Muller, 38, a marketing consultant.  The era of free dating apps may be over: Companies are trying to boost their revenue, while single people increasingly feel the apps are the only way to find love. Some 35% of Americans who have used a dating website or app have paid to do so at some point, according to a recent report by Pew Research Center. The average paying dating app user spends around $19 a month, Morgan Stanley found earlier this year. Some people, however, shell out much more.

Looking for a startup idea? Consider a dating app. They're on the rise and not slowing down. 📈 Dating apps are booming, with over 300 million users according to Business of Apps. Of these, 20 million pay for premium features to boost their chances of finding a match. With advanced filters and in-app purchases, this market is set to grow even more. These apps have transformed how people meet and form relationships. Recent SSRS research shows 56% of adults aged 18-29 have used online dating, with 13% currently active. This trend continues with 47% of adults aged 30-49 having used dating apps. The most popular apps vary by age: Tinder and Bumble Inc. for younger users, and Plenty of Fish and Match for older ones. Hinge recently launched a premium subscription for ‘serious daters,’ costing up to $720 annually. This plan boosts profile visibility and offers superior recommendations, showing a clear demand for meaningful connections. Alongside the big players, there are newly emerging apps: Elate: Dubbed the ‘anti-ghosting dating app,’ Elate addresses ghosting by allowing you to connect with three people for strong, genuine connections. If someone moves on, Elate notifies you. FITFCK: Pronounced 'fit eff-see-kay,' this app connects gym-goers both virtually and at fitness events across the UK. Lex: Inspired by queer personal ads, Lex uses the tagline ‘text first, selfies second.’ Users get a 34-character heading and a 300-character body, with an option to link to an Instagram profile. #Open: Designed for non-monogamous dating, Open caters to those interested in polyamory, ENM, or an open approach to their love life. TapDat: Launched as a hookup app, TapDat focuses on honesty, communication, and consent. Tastebuds: Tastebuds connects people based on musical interests, whether you're looking for a love interest or a gig-going buddy. In summary, dating apps are a significant trend with a growing market. For developers, this presents a prime opportunity to capture this expanding audience. The future will reveal whether the big players or the newcomers with focused approaches come out on top. 💫 #StartupIdeas #DatingApps

True or false: “dating apps are dead.” ⚰ Interesting article highlighting Gen-Z dating trends, including app-fatigue (79% report dating app burnout) and a desire for “old-fashioned” romances (goodbye ghosting and catfishers). 💌 Matchmakers aren’t the only ones experiencing interest from a younger clientele. To stay relevant with the next generation of singles, even the big dogs need to modify and increase investment in new offerings, like Hinge facilitating in-person dating events, and Tinder announcing “Tinder Matchmaker”, a new feature that allows friends and family to access a user’s account and suggest potential matches.* 👨👩👧👧 🔮 To sum it up, a” hybridized model of old-fashioned matchmaking and modern-day dating apps spells the future of what the dating sphere will look like.” ❓ *Question: Would YOU allow your friends and family to access your online profile to review and recommend matches? I know what my answer would be… 😬 👎 #matchmaking #matchmaker #datingtrends #linkedinsingles #GenZ https://lnkd.in/ghMZghKD