Dating Apps Neglecting Male Users, Grindr CEO Claims
Dating apps like Tinder and Bumble are missing out on an opportunity to improve their male users’ experiences, according to Grindr CEO George Arison. In an interview with Polina Pompliano, founder of media company The Profile, Arison argued that these apps prioritize women’s experiences while neglecting their male users.
Men Overwhelmingly Outnumber Women on Dating Apps
Arison pointed out that men outnumber women on both Bumble and Tinder, with a rough ratio of 3:1. Despite this, these apps don’t prioritize improving men’s experiences, which can be frustrating and lead to many men quitting online dating. Even though men are more likely to pay for premium services, their experience remains unimproved.
Research Suggests Men Are Forgoing Online Dating
According to a study by Axios and Generation Lab, 79% of college students and Gen Zers are abandoning regular dating app usage for in-person interactions. This decline presents an opportunity for dating apps to expand their audience by catering to men’s needs.
Arison’s Solution: AI-Generated Dating Advice and Therapy
Arison suggested that dating apps could improve men’s experiences by providing AI-generated dating advice or a feature that allows men to talk to a dating therapist within the app. Instead, apps often take advantage of men’s frustration by encouraging them to upgrade to premium memberships.
Users Accuse Apps of Hiding Attractive Profiles
Users have accused apps like Hinge of hiding the most attractive profiles unless they pay for a premium service. Hinge’s CEO denied having an attractiveness score, but the app does feature "Standout" profiles, which are the most popular and harder to match with as a free user. This gamification can make the dating pool more efficient, but it may also lead to burnout.
Arison: Dating Apps Only Focus on Women’s Experiences
Arison believes that executives are only focused on women’s experiences and don’t prioritize men’s needs. He claims that the way executives talk about men on earnings calls with investors is often negative and offensive.
Match Group CEO: Women’s Experience is Top Priority
In a May earnings call, Match Group CEO Bernard Kim emphasized the importance of women’s experiences on dating apps, stating that women need to feel empowered and respected. This focus on women’s experiences may come at the expense of men’s needs.
Conclusion
Dating apps have the potential to improve both men’s and women’s experiences, but Arison argues that they are neglecting their male users. By providing AI-generated dating advice and therapy, apps can cater to men’s needs and create a more inclusive experience. Ultimately, it’s crucial for dating apps to prioritize both men’s and women’s experiences to create a more positive and efficient online dating environment.
FAQs
Q: Why do men outnumber women on dating apps?
A: Men outnumber women on both Bumble and Tinder, with a rough ratio of 3:1.
Q: Why do dating apps prioritize women’s experiences?
A: Dating apps may prioritize women’s experiences due to concerns about harassment and respect.
Q: What can dating apps do to improve men’s experiences?
A: Dating apps can provide AI-generated dating advice and therapy features to cater to men’s needs.
Q: Why do some apps hide attractive profiles unless users pay for premium services?
A: Apps may hide attractive profiles to encourage users to upgrade to premium memberships.
Q: Is Match Group prioritizing women’s experiences over men’s?
A: Yes, according to Arison, Match Group CEO Bernard Kim emphasized the importance of women’s experiences on dating apps.
Q: Can dating apps cater to both men’s and women’s experiences?
A: Yes, dating apps can improve both men’s and women’s experiences by providing features that cater to their unique needs.
Author: fortune.com
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