Tinder is counting on AI to revitalize its dating app, which has reported nine consecutive quarters of declining paid members as of the third quarter of this year. Dating app maker Match Group told investors on an earnings call Tuesday that Tinder is testing a feature called Chemistry that would allow Tinder to get to know you through questions and, with your permission, access photos from your phone’s camera roll to learn more about your interests and personality.
The feature is already being piloted in New Zealand and Australia and will be “a big pillar of Tinder’s future product experience in 2026,” Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff said.
Match isn’t the only company requesting access to users’ private camera roll photos. Last month, Meta also released a feature that asks you to use AI on photos on your phone that you haven’t yet shared to suggest AI edits.
In either case, the end user benefits from allowing this type of expanded access are minimal.
In the case of Match, the company says it lets users ask interactive questions and uses AI technology to learn more about them and recommend better, more compatible matches. Perhaps it will look something like this: If you have photos taken outside hiking or climbing, you may be matched with people who share the same outdoor hobby.
Match’s revenue has taken a hit while the company has been experimenting with Tinder.
The fourth quarter outlook includes a $14 million negative impact on Tinder’s direct revenue as a result of product testing, Mutch said. This, in line with other dating industry trends, suggests that Match’s fourth-quarter outlook was expected to be between $865 million and $875 million, compared to analysts’ expectations of $884.2 million.
The company is also leveraging AI in other areas, including a system powered by LLM, where Tinder prompts users and asks, “Are you sure?” before sending a potentially offensive message. It also uses AI to help users choose the best photos.
AI isn’t the only way Tinder is trying to increase subscribers and engagement. The company has rolled out other features such as date “modes,” double dates, facial recognition, and a redesigned profile that features bio information on the first photo card and prompts integrated into the photo carousel.
Despite the product changes, Tinder faces a tough market. While some young people are moving away from online dating in search of more real-world experiences, the decline in disposable income associated with the U.S. recession may mean online daters are spending less.
Match reported a 3% year-over-year decline in Tinder revenue and a 7% decline in paid users in the third quarter.
Overall, Match’s revenue and revenue were about in line with expectations, with revenue up 2% to $914.2 million versus the $915 million expected, and EPS of 62 cents versus the expected 63 cents (profit of $160.8 million).
