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Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tinder revamp aimed at Gen Zers who 'don't have as much sex'
Tinder's reputation as a 'hookup app' will be a thing of the past if the app's new chief executive has his way. Tinder revolutionized dating for a generation of millennials upon its launch in 2012, but it has been losing appeal among members of the Gen Z demographic, or people aged 18-28, not including those too young to download dating apps. Now, Spencer Rascoff is hoping to win over Gen Zers who he says 'don't have as much sex.' 'This generation of Gen Z, 18 to 28 — it's not a hookup generation. They don't drink as much alcohol, they don't have as much sex,' the 49-year-old chief executive of Tinder owner Match Group, told investors this month, per the New York Post. 'We need to adapt our products to accept that reality,' added Rascoff, the co-founder and former CEO of real estate marketplace Zillow. The company wants to create low-pressure ways for people to meet on the app, such as a 'double dating' feature, to win over Gen Zers. The feature allows users to pair up with friends and match with other pairs for dates. It will be launched globally this summer, Rascoff told the Wall Street Journal. Tinder has been testing 'double dating' in Europe and has seen positive results. Rascoff took the top job at Match Group, which owns Tinder, Hinge and OkCupid, a few months ago, and has said that fixing Tinder is his main concern. He recently announced that he'd be stepping in to lead Tinder, too, after Faye Iosotaluno posted on LinkedIn that she will depart in June after less than two years on the job. In an internal memo, Rascoff asked staffers to speed up product changes, leverage artificial intelligence and focus on improving user safety, according to the Journal. Employees should focus on improving the user experience, even if it comes at the expense of short-term revenue, he said. 'Users don't want more matches, they want better ones,' he said in the memo. Gen Zers have left the platform in search of dating apps that could lead to more lasting relationships. Among 500 dating app users, about 85% said they didn't use Tinder because of its association with 'hookups,' according to a 2023 Wells Fargo survey.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What Are 'Pink Flags' In Relationships?
There's a lot of talk of 'flags' in dating and relationships. Perhaps the most common ― red flags ― refer to signs of toxic behavior or clear incompatibility in a partner. Think: love-bombing, being rude to waitstaff and trying to control and manipulate your every move. Green flags, on the other hand, are signs of a good partner. You might have found a keeper if you communicate well and feel comfortable being yourself around them, for example. But there's another flag color that falls in the middle of the spectrum: pink flags. Below, relationship experts explain how to recognize pink flags and what to do about them. 'Pink flags are subtle indicators that you might not be a fit in a relationship,' said Damona Hoffman, an OkCupid dating coach and host of 'The Dates & Mates Podcast.' She noted that they're not as overt as red flags, which tend to be compatibility and behavioral issues that anyone can recognize as problematic. But even though pink flags are less serious, it's important to address these minor problems, rather than let them fester. 'Pink flags are the kind of warning signs that you can talk yourself out of and overlook until they become red,' Hoffman explained. 'Alternatively, you can also make pink flags into relationship dealbreakers when they were simply subtle differences that could have been worked through.' Alysha Jeney, a therapist and owner of Modern Love Counseling in Denver, similarly emphasized the importance of recognizing pink flags when they arise. 'Pink flags could be something that you intuitively sense is a bit off, but you're trying to give the relationship time to determine its severity,' she said. 'They can also be trigger points from past relationships that you want to be mindful of. Pink flags are important to make note of in relationships and be used as a point of reflection.' Pink flags come in many forms that vary from relationship to relationship, but there are some common examples. 'One that I hear clients discuss is a person who has limited opinions on things ― for example, never has an opinion or doesn't care where you eat, what you go do, etc.,' said Liz Higgins, a relational therapist and founder of Millennial Life Counseling. 'Another is differences in political or religious belief systems.' Being messy or not texting often enough can be everyday pink flags as well. While these issues aren't automatic dealbreakers, they shouldn't be swept under the rug either. 'Some pink flags that should be observed are changes in behavior,' said Mabel Yiu, a marriage and family therapist and CEO of Women's Therapy Institute. 'As an example, if they used to be affectionate, but they have become less so over time.' Pay attention if your physical relationship has changed or you've stopped being intentional about dating and growing as a couple. 'Another pink flag is unmatched love languages, such as acts of service and physical touch,' Yiu said. 'This is not a serious issue if both partners are willing to pull closer and accommodate another's love language.' Sarah Weisberg, a licensed psychologist and founder of Potomac Therapy Group, stressed the importance of taking note of your own thoughts and behaviors, as well as your partner's. 'When we notice ourselves deliberately or inadvertently hurting others, it's important to take a step back and ask ourselves what's going on,' she said. 'What could this be telling us about our conscious or unconscious feelings about the relationship? In these instances we might need to do some work on ourselves, listen to our intuition and have some hard conversations.' Still, what's a red flag to one person might actually be a pink ― or even green ― flag for you. 'One person's too much texting is another person's just right,' Hoffman said. 'You need to figure out what your needs and wants are in a relationship and be able to communicate that to your partner. Use pink flags as a signifier that you need to get more information rather than a signifier that the relationship is doomed.' 'Pink flags are easier to ignore and thus potentially more damaging than red flags,' said Tracy Ross, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in couples and family therapy. 'Sometimes pink flags feel subtle ― you don't catch them the first or even the second time ― as opposed to red flags that are obvious if you let yourself see them. But if something nags at you repeatedly, it's time to pay attention.' She recommended asking yourself, 'Is this workable, is this person willing to work with me, willing to communicate, work through things together? If I express my concerns, do they hear me and take in what I'm saying?' A pink flag could turn out to be the indicator that leads you to discover a red flag. In the process of exploring a pink flag, you might find that your partner isn't willing to figure things out together. 'Every relationship has that dance and has to find that balance,' Ross said. 'Pink flags are those things that make you question whether or not it will be possible, red flags are the areas where you find out it won't be.' She cautioned against confusing pink flags with just having the unrealistic expectation that your partner will meet each and every one of your needs. Instead, focus on feeling complete in yourself while identifying what is important to you in a partner. 'One sure way to understand the difference between pink flags and red flags is to give serious and honest thought to what you want in a relationship ― do an inventory of your 'must haves,' your 'nonnegotiables,' and your 'would be nice ifs,'' Ross explained. 'If you spend time reflecting on that in advance and know what you are looking for ― what you can and cannot compromise on ― then it will be much more clear when you see an actual flag.' 'Regardless of whether it's a pink flag or a red flag, the most important thing is not to ignore it,' Ross said. 'The discomfort or uncertainty surrounding these issues often leads to avoidance, and all kinds of relationship issues grow from avoidance.' Rather than letting things simmer unaddressed, take the time to process the pink flags you observe. Then, talk about them. 'I would say knowing your safe spaces to explore these notions is important: with a therapist, a trusted friend, a safe relationship, especially if you're in the beginning stages of dating,' Higgins said. 'Sometimes it's more appropriate to wait a bit before putting every last thing out on the table. In a newer relationship, the bond isn't as structured or secure, so bringing up a lot of super important things right away may not work as effectively. Balance is key.' Consider why you might be feeling concerned or uncomfortable, and if it's possibly part of a bigger issue you that need to work through on your own or together. Sit with it and think about whether you're making assumptions or projecting. 'Pink flags might also give you an opportunity to communicate with your partner(s), and how you do so can in itself determine if the relationship is one you want to continue with,' said Rachel Needle, a licensed psychologist and the co-director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. 'Regardless of whether an issue is big or small, it is important in any relationship that you are able to communicate about it in a healthy way, and feel comfortable expressing your feelings and concerns.' She also advised acknowledging the positive aspects of the relationship. Focus on communicating honestly to see if the pink flag issue is nonnegotiable, or if it's something that you can accept or reach middle a ground on instead. 'It's important to pay attention to pink flags but not to be obsessed with them or let them overtake your relationship,' added Hoffman. 'They are simply things to keep an eye on or concerns you should get curious about.' 6 Little Green Flags That You've Found A Keeper What Exactly Is A 'Situationship'? As An Asian American Woman, This Is The Dating App Red Flag I Don't Talk About
Miami Herald
10-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Tinder owner makes harsh decision as consumers switch gears
Match Group (MTCH) , which owns popular dating apps such as Hinge, Tinder, OkCupid, and is noticing that young consumers are falling out of love with its apps. In Match Group's first-quarter earnings report for 2025, it revealed that the number of its paying users dipped by 5% year-over-year during the quarter. Also, the company's operating income, its profit after expenses, shrank by 7%. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter During an earnings call on May 8, Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff said that the company's recent challenges are "due primarily to a lack of innovation, and our failure to recognize and respond to changes in the younger demographic, especially Gen Z and what they want." Related: Uber CEO gives employees a harsh wake-up call He also mentioned that Tinder, its leading dating app, is specifically losing its relevancy among young consumers. "For a decade, Tinder has been an infinite card stack where you swipe left or swipe right to assess the essentially attractiveness of the photo that you're looking at," said Rascoff. "And that worked well 10 years ago, when there was more of a hookup culture, when smartphones were new, and when there was novelty around that type of feature set. But as millennials aged up and as Gen Z entered into our sweet spot, that product has less resonance, and Tinder has less product market fit today than in the past." Image source: Bloomberg/Getty Images As Match Group's dating apps lose popularity, the company is narrowing in on winning back consumers, and this first involves making a drastic change to its workforce. Rascoff said the company is planning to lay off 13% of its workforce in an effort to become "more nimble, more focused, and better aligned, enabling faster decision-making." With this move, Rascoff said the company will specifically reduce management layers, including around 1 in 5 managers. Match Group will also close an unspecified number of open job roles and will further cut operating expenses in areas such as technology and data services, customer care, content moderation, media buying, etc. Related: Google sends a harsh message to employees after layoffs Match Group expects to generate $100 million in annualized savings, including approximately $45 million this year, through these efforts. "The best tech companies operate in product-first builder mode, and this next chapter at Match Group is about getting back to that," said Rascoff. "Fewer layers, faster execution, and a culture focused on creating value through innovation." The move from Match Group comes during a time when many young consumers are feeling burned out by dating apps. According to a Forbes Health/OnePoll survey last year, 80% of millennials who use dating apps say that they often or always feel burned out on those platforms, while 79% of Gen Z dating app users relayed the same message. "People who experience burnout with dating apps are exhausted from constantly meeting new people, failing opportunities, and lies," said Forbes Health Advisory Board member Dr. Rufus Spann in the survey. "Over time, the unfortunate misgivings of being on a dating app can cause someone to lose hope in the dating process and finding the right person." More Labor: Amazon CEO gives hard-nosed message to employeesIBM gives employees a rude awakening with harsh new policySnapchat CEO teaches new employees a strict lesson About 40% of the respondents in the survey said the biggest reason they felt burned out using the apps was due to their inability to find a good connection. Also, 35% said they felt "disappointed" by people, while 27% said they felt rejected. College students have also recently given dating apps the boot. According to a survey from Axios and Generation Lab in 2023, 79% of college and graduate students in the U.S. said that they don't use any dating apps even once a month. The majority of the students also said that they prefer to meet someone in person. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
The Star
10-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Navigating online dating: Dos and don'ts to make the most of the experience
Online dating has come a long, long way since its inception (I'm looking at you which came out in the mid-90s!). The online dating sites have evolved significantly (Tinder, the first major app that you only use on your phone, launched in 2012), offering new features designed with the hope of improving people's experiences and leading to more, and better, connections. Despite all that, many people find online dating, for lack of better words, worse today than before. Why? Part of it comes from the sheer popularity of the dating apps. Whereas there used to be a stigma ('Ew, you're on eHarmony?!), everyone single is now on a dating app ('How could you not be on Hinge?!'), so the challenges of navigating such a saturated space become noticeable. The evolution of online dating When online dating first started, it was a novel concept for those willing to experiment with new technology, like me. I dabbled in online dating starting in 2001, first using JDate and then moving on to OkCupid when that launched in 2003. The platforms – the dating sites/apps themselves – keep improving and adapting to the times, incorporating algorithms, video features, and, more recently, AI (which I have mixed feelings about in this setting). But, with more widespread use comes more people. And with more people, and more anonymity, comes worse behaviour – ghosting, breadcrumbing, etc. So, it's not that the apps are inherently harder to use or less effective; rather, it's that when a space gets so packed, it's both hard to stand out and harder to weed through everyone. Basically, the likelihood of encountering bad behaviour or feeling overwhelmed increases exponentially. Struggles in the current landscape One of the biggest struggles my clients complain about is people not communicating – their intentions, their desires, their interest, their lack of interest. With so much technology available to us, it's easy to hide behind a screen when an in-person conversation would be much more appropriate. Sadly, this avoidance behaviour has become a hallmark of modern dating culture. And, of course, people struggle with writing their profile and knowing how to effectively use the apps to get the results they want – dates. And ultimately, a relationship. Turning challenges into opportunities While online dating has its own challenges, as I mentioned, it's still possible to overcome them with the right approach and mindset ... and maybe coach (wink, wink). Success in online dating often comes down to treating it with the same level of commitment and effort as any other significant endeavour, like searching for a job or hitting your fitness goals. Here are some practical tips for making the most of the experience: 1. Try a regimented approach Treat online dating like a daily routine. I recommend logging in for 15 minutes in the morning and another 15 minutes in the evening. This method ensures consistency, making sure you get back to people in a timely fashion, without letting dating apps consume your entire day... and mind. Commit to reaching out to or swiping on a certain number of people each day, perhaps eight on Hinge for example. Success often comes through persistence. Invest time in creating a profile that truly lets you shine. Write it. Read it over. Does it sound like you? Yes? Great. But does it also sound like everyone else? It's too generic. An exercise to help might be to 'name your five', which is a game I like to play. Name five things/nouns that truly describe you and no one else. For example, mine are whiskey, puns, crossword puzzles, ping pong and omakase (sushi). No judgment, please! If I take those five things, plus perhaps a bit of biographical information, I could easily turn them into a profile. 4. Limit app conversations While messaging is an important part of online dating, don't linger on the app for too long. Remember that online dating is simply a tool to facilitate meeting someone. The payoff Many people don't realise (or want to realise) the amount of work that goes into online dating. But my most successful clients say to me, 'The work pays off!' And I hope it does for you, too. – Tribune News Service Erika Ettin is the founder of A Little Nudge, where she helps others navigate the often intimidating world of online dating.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tinder parent Match Group cuts 13% of jobs, paying users decline
Dating app Tinder 's parent company, Match Group, is reportedly taking on major cost-cutting measures. This includes a 13% reduction in the company's workforce, following a 5% decrease in paying users during the first quarter, a report claims. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to a report by the news agency Reuters, this announcement led to a 7% drop in the company's shares as investors reacted to the decline in subscribers, despite the company's first-quarter results surpassing estimates. The job cuts represent the first major strategic move under the new CEO, Spencer Rascoff, who assumed leadership in February with the primary goal of addressing the slowing pace of user engagement across Match Group 's various dating platforms, the report added. However, the report didn't confirm the total number of employees or the division in the company that will be affected. The online dating industry may have hit a rough patch As per the report, the online dating sector is struggling as ongoing inflation, lack of new features and overall market stagnation are driving users away from apps like Tinder and Bumble . In Match Group's latest earnings report, its portfolio of apps—including Tinder, Hinge , and OkCupid—saw its paid user base drop from 14.9 million a year ago to 14.2 million in Q1. The report cited Chandler Willison, a research analyst at M Science, to note that since paid subscribers are key to these apps' revenue, the recent decline has dampened investor sentiment, even though the company's overall financial outlook remains solid. Match still projects Q2 revenue of $850–860 million, slightly above the $846.7 million consensus estimate compiled by LSEG, the report adds. Meanwhile, some investors noted that they have spent more than a year asking Match to rethink its capital allocation, cut costs, and possibly review the strategic direction of its MG Asia division. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In response, Match and Bumble have been updating their apps and rolling out AI-driven features, like smart discovery tools, to enhance the user experience. "Product enhancements are the critical lever to return to payer growth," Michael Ashley Schulman, CFA at Running Point Capital, said to Reuters. However, the company's Q1 revenue fell 3% year-over-year to $831 million, surpassing the $827.5 million prediction. To compare, rival Bumble saw its first-quarter revenue drop by over 7%, but still met analysts' expectations.
