【1998 Archives】

Swiping fatigue998 Archivesreal. Users — jaded, ghosted, and algorithmically exhausted — are disengaging, forcing dating apps into a cycle of feature-swapping to keep them hooked. Tinder now has prompts because Bumble and Hinge did. Voice notes were a Hinge thing — now, you can send them on Bumble. The industry is cannibalizing itself, stitching together familiar features in a last-ditch effort to keep users on.

Enter artificial intelligence.

With the thought that engagement could be slipping, Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge are leveraging AI to streamline matches, generate icebreakers, and push conversations forward. Each platform is experimenting with its own version of AI-driven dating, hoping to make the experience feel fresh instead of frustrating.

Some innovations might stick, and others will fade, but the game has changed — AI is now part of the algorithm of attraction.

Hinge

Hinge, which calls itself the "dating app designed to be deleted," is leaning on AI to fine-tune the path from profile creation to real-world connection. Rather than flooding the experience with automation, Hinge frames its AI tools as enhancements— features meant to refine profiles, improve match recommendations, and maintain safety without overshadowing human interaction.

According to a Hinge spokesperson, the AI-powered Prompt Feedback feature analyzes profile responses and offers personalized suggestions without scripting answers, aiming to help users present themselves more effectively.

Top Photo employs machine learning to optimize profile pictures by prioritizing the image most likely to receive a Like. You've seen this feature before on Tinder, which employs the same general concept. (Both Tinder and Hinge are owned by the same conglomerate, Match Group.)

Hinge says it’s using a mix of automated tools, machine learning, and human moderators to crack down on bad actors. But how well do those tools actually work? That’s still up for debate.

A recent investigation from The Markup found that Match Group has known for years about predators and abusers lurking on its platforms — yet reportedly did little to stop them, fearing it could slow down the company’s growth.

Bumble

Bumble is leveraging AI to enhance safety, compatibility, and user engagement while maintaining its focus on "equitable connections." A Bumble spokesperson said the app’s For You feature curates a daily selection of four profiles based on user preferences and past matches, with recent AI-driven improvements designed to increase compatibility.

On Bumble For Friends, an AI-powered icebreaker feature assists users in starting conversations, reinforcing the app’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections across different relationship types.

Just like Hinge, Bumble wants to keep the AI tools in the background and not at the forefront. For moderation, the Bumble spokesperson told Mashable that the platform’s Deception Detector blocks 95 percent of identified spam, scam, or fake profiles automatically, according to internal testing.

To further safeguard users, Private Detector blurs potentially explicit images in chats, a feature Bumble has open-sourced to help combat online harassment. Additionally, the spokesperson says that the company has introduced an option for users to report AI-generated photos and videos as part of its "ongoing efforts to uphold authenticity."

Tinder

Tinder is using AI to streamline profiles, verify users, and encourage safer interactions. A spokesperson said the app’s Photo Selector scans a user’s camera roll to suggest profile pictures that align with what performs well on the platform. This addresses the fact that singles aged 18-24 spend an average of 33 minutes choosing a photo. According to Tinder’s data, men with multiple photos of their faces see a 71 percent increase in match likelihood with women.

Keep in mind that sharing your data with Tinder’s Photo Selector comes with some risks. A spokesperson told Mashable that the feature doesn’t store telemetry or biodata, but it does collect “limited” metadata. That said, it’s always a good rule of thumb to avoid handing over any biodata to a company — period.

To combat catfishing, Photo Verification requires users to submit a live video to confirm they match their uploaded photos, earning them the coveted blue check mark. A Tinder spokesperson noted that the feature has led to a 10 percent increase in matches for verified users aged 18-25.

AI is also shaping user interactions. Are You Sure? (AYS) scans messages for potentially harmful language and prompts senders to reconsider before hitting send. Early testing has already reduced inappropriate language by more than 10%.

Meanwhile, Does This Bother You? (DTBY) takes the opposite approach, proactively asking recipients if a flagged message feels inappropriate and guiding them through the reporting process. Both features, according to a Tinder spokesperson, are designed to create a more respectful environment while giving users more control over their conversations.