Twitter explored buying India’s ShareChat and turning Moj into a global TikTok rival

Twitter recently held talks to acquire Indian social media startup ShareChat as the company explored ways to expand its presence in the world’s second largest internet market and build a global rival to TikTok, three sources familiar with the matter told TechCrunch. The American firm, which is already an , offered to buy the Indian startup for $1.1 billion and had committed an additional investment of $900 million, two of the sources said. The talks are no longer ongoing, two sources said, requ...
Tags: Google, Social, Facebook, Apps, Asia, Twitter, Instagram, Tinder, India, Tech, Match, MoJ, Match Group, Blume Ventures, Appannie, Snap

Bumble’s first date with the public markets

The public markets have been so active lately that it’s hard to drum up excitement for yet another company making its way to the bull market. But, in the case of Bumble, a dating app where women message first, next week’s public debut is worth paying attention to. The market for dating startups has long had an 11-year-old elephant in the room: Match Group. The Dallas company owns popular dating brands including Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid, and more, which some saw as the singular exit point for start...
Tags: TC, Tinder, China, Ipo, Newsletter, Tech, Miami, Silicon Valley, Match, IAC, Bumble, Max Levchin, Whitney, Hinge, Databricks, Match Group

Tinder makes it easier to report bad actors using ‘unmatch’ to hide from victims

Last month, Bumble introduced a new feature that would prevent bad actors from using the dating app’s “unmatch” feature to hide from victims. Now Tinder has done something similar. The company announced on Friday it will soon roll out an update to its app that will make it easier for users to report someone who has used the unmatch feature in an effort to get away with their abuse. But in Tinder’s case, it’s only making it easier for users to learn how to report the violation, rather than giving...
Tags: TC, Mobile, Apps, Safety, Tinder, Tech, Dating, Match, Dating Apps, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Bumble, Match Group, RAINN, Safety Center, Tracey Breeden, Safety and Social Advocacy for Match Group

People continue to flock to Tinder and Hinge in droves to help fill the social void as the coronavirus stretches through the fall

Paul Zinken/picture alliance via Getty Images People continue to turn to dating apps to fill the social void as the coronavirus pandemic stretches through the fall.  Match Group, the company that owns Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid, and more, reported better-than-expected earnings on Wednesday, particularly when it comes to Tinder.  Tinder saw revenue grow 15% since the third quarter 2019, and the app got a 16% boost when it comes to subscribers.  "I think people thought this was the only avenue,...
Tags: Tinder, Trends, Cnn, New York Times, Match, Dating Apps, Bumble, Wall Street Journal, Hinge, Match Group, Marketwatch, Poppy Harlow, Tech Insider, Apptopia, Getty Images People, Avery Hartmans

Gen Z spends 10% more time in non-game apps than older users

A new report released today by App Annie digs into how Gen Z consumers engage with their smartphones and mobile apps. According to data collected in Q3 2020, Gen Z users spend an average of 4.1+ hours per month in non-gaming apps, or 10% longer than older demographics. They also engage with apps more often, with 20% more sessions per user in non-gaming apps at 120 sessions per month per app, compared with older groups. This app engagement data is only a view into Gen Z trends but is an incomplet...
Tags: Apps, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, France, Tech, Turkey, Brazil, Match, App Annie, Shein, PUBG Mobile, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Tiktok, Ted Krantz, App Annie App Annie

Match confirms plans for Tinder Platinum, a new top-level subscription for power users, arriving Q4

Tinder is testing a new top-level subscription plan, Tinder Platinum, which it expects to roll out before year-end. The news of the coming service was announced this week by Tinder parent Match Group during its Q2 2020 earnings call with investors. Match described the subscription as providing additional value beyond Tinder’s current paid plan, Tinder Gold, but noted the feature was still in the very early stages of testing and was essentially still considered a minimum viable product. The compa...
Tags: Apps, India, Tech, Reddit, Brazil, Match, Match Group, Wall St, Shar Dubey, Tinder Platinum, Reddit Platinum

Tinder now testing video chat in select markets, including U.S.

Tinder announced this morning it will begin to test video chat in its mobile dating app with some members in select worldwide markets, including in the U.S. The feature, which allows Tinder matches to go on “virtual” dates when both opt in, will first be available to users in Virginia, Illinois, Georgia and Colorado in the U.S., as well as in Brazil, Australia, Spain, Italy, France, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Peru and Chile, also with some members. Parent company Match had firs...
Tags: Social, Startups, TC, Mobile, Facebook, Apps, Video, Tinder, Colorado, Dating, Chile, Match, Online Dating, Video Chat, Video Calls, Face to Face

Tinder now testing video chat in select markets, including US

Tinder announced this morning it will begin to test video chat in its mobile dating app with some members in select worldwide markets, including in the U.S. The feature, which allows Tinder matches to go on “virtual” dates when both opt in, will first be available to users in Virginia, Illinois, Georgia and Colorado in the U.S., as well as in Brazil, Australia, Spain, Italy, France, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Peru and Chile, also with some members. Parent company Match had firs...
Tags: Social, TC, Mobile, Facebook, Apps, Video, Tinder, Colorado, US, Tech, Dating, Chile, Match, Online Dating, Video Chat, Video Calls

Tinder to add video dating next quarter, after slowing user growth due to coronavirus

Tinder will add a video dating feature in the second quarter of this year, parent company Match announced on Tuesday as part of its Q1 2020 earnings report. The company also detailed the coronavirus impact which slowed Tinder user growth in the quarter, as social distancing requirements and government lockdowns went into effect. Match didn’t go into detail about its plans for video dating, but noted it has been testing the waters with video in its Plenty of Fish app. In the quarter, it accele...
Tags: Social, Facebook, Apps, Video, Tinder, Tech, Dating, Match, Dating Apps, Online Dating, Bumble, Wall St, Dubey, Facebook Dating, Video Dating, Shar Dubey

Facebook to launch ‘virtual dating’ over Messenger for Facebook Dating users

Facebook will soon allow users to go on “virtual dates,” the company announced today. The social network is planning to introduce a new video calling feature that will allow users of its Facebook Dating service to connect and video call over Messenger, as an alternative to going on a real-world date. This sort of feature is much in demand amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced people to stay home and practice social distancing. But for online dating apps which aim to connect people i...
Tags: Apple, Facebook, Tech, Facebook Messenger, Match, Facetime, Match Group, Facebook Dating, Meanwhile Match Group

Match now lets you swipe left or right to show love for your political causes

Singles can choose from political views that align with their beliefs
Tags: Mobile, Politics, News, Trends, Social Media, Dating, Match, Online Dating, Match.com, Dating App

More Americans are using online dating than ever before, but it still sucks

Three in ten Americans have used a dating app. But many still find the process frustrating, according to a new Pew Research Poll.
Tags: News, Tinder, Trends, Social Media, Web, Match, Dating Apps, Online Dating

Tinder to add new features including tools to filter matches, text and photo prompts

In December, dating app Bumble announced new tools to filter match by more than just age and distance. Now, it seems Tinder is poised to do the same. Tinder parent company Match Group this week announced plans to expand its filtering capabilities, alongside other product updates such as new social engagement features and the forthcoming international launch for its interactive in-app experience called “Swipe Night.” The company was light on details about how Tinder’s new filters would work, but ...
Tags: Social, Apps, Europe, Tinder, Tech, Match, Dating Apps, Bumble, Match Group, Ginsberg, OKC, Mandy Ginsberg, Dubey, Noonlight, Shar Dubey, Overall Match Group

Are Dating Apps Allowing In Registered Sex Offenders? A House Subcommittee Is Investigating

(SAN FRANCISCO) — A House subcommittee is investigating popular dating services such as Tinder and Bumble for allegedly allowing minors and sex offenders to use their services. Bumble, Grindr, The Meet Group and the Match Group, which owns such popular services as Tinder, Match.com and OkCupid, are the current targets of the investigation by the U.S. House Oversight and Reform subcommittee on economic and consumer policy. In separate letters Thursday to the companies, the subcommittee is se...
Tags: News, Congress, Uncategorized, San Francisco, House, Match, IAC, Illinois, Grindr, Match Group, Consumer Council, Onetime, Meet Group, Raja Krishnamoorthi, U S House Oversight and Reform

Match Group CEO Mandy Ginsberg is stepping down

Match Group, home to Tinder, Match, OKCupid, PoF, and a host of other online dating apps, announced today that CEO Mandy Ginsberg would be stepping down from her position after 14 years with the company. She’s served in the CEO role since her appointment in 2017. Related to this, Ginsberg will also resign from Match’s Board of Directors. Assuming her position is Shar Dubey, currently the President of the Match Group, who will begin her new role March 1. Dubey has also been with Match Group ...
Tags: Apps, Tinder, Tech, Dating, Dallas, Fda, Match, IAC, Dating Apps, Online Dating, Justine Sacco, Match Group, Ginsberg, Mandy, Shar, Mandy Ginsberg

Tinder launches a new a la carte option, Super Boost, only for subscribers

Tinder this morning announced a second, more premium version of its most popular a la carte purchase, Boost, with the launch of Super Boost — an upgrade only offered to Tinder Plus and Tinder Gold premium subscribers. The idea with the new product is to extract additional revenues out of those users who have already demonstrated a willingness to pay for the dating app, while also offering others another incentive to upgrade to a paid Tinder subscription. Similar to Boost, which puts you on top o...
Tags: Travel, Social, Mobile, Apps, Tinder, Match, Dating Apps, Match Group

Tinder launches ‘Festival Mode’ to connect music festival goers with profile badges

In the latest of a string of products aimed at attracting and engaging a younger demographic, dating app Tinder this morning announced the launch of a new feature called “Festival Mode,” designed to connect singles attending the same music festival. Similar to “Spring Break Mode,” announced this February, “Festival Mode” will also involve the use of badges on user profiles to indicate an upcoming destination. These badges make it easier to spot, when swiping, those people who are planning to ...
Tags: Social, TC, Apps, Music, Tinder, Australia, Social Media, Tech, Dating, Festivals, Match, Dating Apps, Aeg, Match Group, U S U K, Mandy Ginsberg

Match fully acquires relationship-focused app Hinge

Last year, Match Group in the relationship-focused dating app Hinge, in order to diversify its portfolio of dating apps led by Tinder. The company has now confirmed that it fully bought out Hinge in the past quarter, and today owns 100 percent of the app which has been gaining momentum both inside and outside of the U.S. following last year’s deal. Match believes that Hinge can offer an alternative to those who aren’t interested in using casual apps, like Tinder. As the company noted on its ea...
Tags: Travel, TC, Europe, New York, London, Australia, Match, Bumble, Hinge, Match Group, Ginsberg, U S U K Canada, Tinder Ginsberg, Match Group CEO Mandy Ginsberg Hinge, Bumble Hinge

Match Group fully acquires relationship-focused app Hinge

Last year, Match Group in the relationship-focused dating app Hinge, in order to diversify its portfolio of dating apps led by Tinder. The company has now confirmed that it fully bought out Hinge in the past quarter, and today owns 100 percent of the app which has been gaining momentum both inside and outside of the U.S. following last year’s deal. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Match believes Hinge can offer an alternative to those who aren’t interested in using casual apps, lik...
Tags: Social, TC, Apps, Europe, New York, London, Australia, Tech, Match, Bumble, Hinge, Match Group, Ginsberg, U S U K Canada, Tinder Ginsberg, Match Group CEO Mandy Ginsberg Hinge

It’s a match! Tinder and Spotify deepen partnership to find your musical mate

Music is incredibly personal to a lot of people so when dating you want someone who matches your taste and Spotify are integrating further into Tinder to ensure you find the right match. Tinder and Spotify have made a great match since the music streaming service integrated into the dating app 2 years ago in 2016, allowing people to give a spotlight of their music tastes to any potential suitors. The swipey dating app are now testing even further Spotify integration by letting users share Sp...
Tags: Spotify, Music, Tinder, App, Dating, Streaming, Match, Stream, Digital Music News, Matching, Swiping

Tinder fired its VP of communications and a 'number' of other employees who participated in a $2 billion lawsuit against the dating app's owners (MTCH)

Tinder has fired its VP of marketing and communications, Rosette Pambakian, and a "number" of other employees who participated in a $2 billion lawsuit against the dating app's owners, according to a report by The Verge.  Tinder employees involved in the lawsuit, including Pambakian, had been put on leave back in August, but were recently let go because they "unable to fulfill their job responsibilities." In August, a group of 10 current and former Tinder employees sued the dating app's par...
Tags: Sean Rad, Trends, Match, IAC, Match Group, Ginsberg, Board, Greg, NDA, Mandy Ginsberg, Greg Blatt, Rosette Pambakian, Pambakian, Tinder Ginsberg

IAC reorg makes Vimeo and DotDash standalone segments, adds new acquisition Robokiller

IAC is changing the way its business is organized, the company reported during its Q3 2018 earnings on Wednesday. The company’s video platform Vimeo and DotDash (previously About.com) will become their own separate segments at IAC starting in Q4. That means they’ve reached the point their revenues can stand on their own. The company beat on third quarter revenue expectations in the quarter with a revenue increase to $1.1 billion from $828.4 million a year ago, ahead of FactSet analyst expectatio...
Tags: Media, Tinder, Tech, Vimeo, Earnings, Match, IAC, Match Group, EBITDA, FactSet, Joey Levin, Dotdash, RoboKiller, Teltech, Publishing and Video, BlueCrew Ask Media Group

Tinder doubles down on its casual nature, as Match invests in relationship-focused Hinge

Tinder has never really shaken its reputation among consumers as a “hook up” app, instead of one designed for more serious dating. Now, it seems Tinder is planning to embrace its status as the default app for younger users who aren’t ready to settle down. According to Match Group CEO Mandy Ginsberg, speaking to investors on its Q3 earnings call this morning, Tinder is preparing to launch its first-ever brand marketing campaign that will promote the “single lifestyle” with billboard campaigns ...
Tags: Social, TC, Mobile, Apps, New York, London, Tinder, Tech, Dating, Match, Hinge, Match Group, Ginsberg, Mandy Ginsberg

Tinder now has 4.1M paying users, expects $800M in revenue this year

Facebook Dating is no challenger to Tinder-owner Match Group (NASDAQ: MTCH), which posted third-quarter earnings per share of 44 cents on Tuesday. The company, which owns several brands of internet dating services, including Tinder, Hinge, Ok Cupid and PlentyOfFish, surpassed analyst’s forecasted revenue of $437 million, reporting Q3 revenue of $444 million, a 29 percent increase year-over-year. Match says it expects to bring in a total of $1.72 billion in annual revenue. Despite positive ...
Tags: Facebook, Tinder, Tech, Earnings, Dallas, Match, IAC, Bumble, Hinge, Match Group, Mandy Ginsberg, MTCH, Match Group NASDAQ, Facebook Dating, Wall Street Match, U S Match

Bumble drops its $400M lawsuit against Match, but this battle isn’t over

Bumble and Match’s ongoing legal battles are continuing today. According to a statement released by Match Group this morning, Bumble is dropping its $400 million lawsuit against Match, which had claimed Match fraudulently obtained trade secrets during acquisition talks. However, Bumble is preparing to refile its suit at the state level, we’re hearing. If you haven’t been following, the two companies have been doing battle in the court system for some time after Match Group failed to acquire Bumb...
Tags: England, Wales, Ipo, Tech, Austin, Match, Bumble, Whitney Wolfe, Match Group, Western District, Dallas County, Western District of Texas, Match Match, Bumble Match

Match says Bumble is dropping its $400M lawsuit, but this battle isn’t over

Bumble and Match’s ongoing legal battles are continuing today. According to a statement released by Match Group this morning, Bumble is dropping its $400 million lawsuit against Match, which had claimed Match fraudulently obtained trade secrets during acquisition talks. However, Bumble is preparing to refile its suit at the state level, we’re hearing. If you haven’t been following, the two companies have been doing battle in the court system for some time after Match Group failed to acquire Bumb...
Tags: Ipo, Tech, Austin, Match, Bumble, Whitney Wolfe, Match Group, Western District, Dallas County, Western District of Texas, Match Match, Bumble Match

Online dating could be worth $12 billion — and it's all thanks to Tinder, analyst says (MTCH)

Match Group is rallying Friday after a Wall Street analyst launched coverage with a bullish price target of $66 — 28% above where shares settled Thursday. Nomura Instinet says the online-dating sector could be worth $12 billion by 2020.  Nomura says it's worried about Facebook's foray into dating either, and says Match keeps competition at bay by buying out competitors, like its Hinge acquisition this summer.  Follow Match Group's stock price in real-time here Wall Street thinks online dating...
Tags: Facebook, Wall Street, China, US, Trends, Gold, Colombia, Match, Match Group, Kelly, Nomura, Kelley, MTCH, Nomura Instinet, Mark Kelley, Follow Match Group

THE MATCH: Tiger vs. Phil on Thanksgiving Weekend in Las Vegas

@TigerWoods I see you have a left-handed driver, well played. I hope it's a Callaway pic.twitter.com/qWuXsGVC6z — Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) August 22, 2018 THE TIGER WOODS-PHIL MICKELSON match is on. The golf titans (or old warhorses?) will square off on Thanksgiving weekend at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas. It's a $9 million winner-take-all match."We're going to have fun doing something that's never been done before," Tiger said, "and have on pay-per-view and doing something, tr...
Tags: Facebook, Sport, Golf, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Associated Press, Tiger, Match, Las Vegas, Nelson, Ward, Callaway, Phil, Hogan, Venturi, Shadow Creek Golf Course

Dating App Bumble Creates Fund to Invest in Diverse Female Founders

Austin—Bumble, the dating app maker that has expanded into other areas of social networking, has launched an investment fund focused on startups founded by women.The Bumble Fund plans to make early stage investments that focus on diverse female founders “who have been largely ignored by the established venture capital world,” according to news release from Austin-based company. Bumble told Forbes it committed more than $1 million to invest in those businesses, and that the fund plans to invest ...
Tags: Startups, Texas, Technology, Tinder, Funding, Trends, Startup, Tech, Investing, Diversity, App, Software, Austin, Dating, Healthcare, Venture Capital

Tinder founders say former CEO 'groped and sexually harassed' an executive at a company party in bombshell $2 billion lawsuit

Included in a jaw-dropping lawsuit brought by Tinder's founders against its parent company IAC are allegations of sexual misconduct against its former CEO. The lawsuit alleges that former Tinder CEO and IAC chairman Greg Blatt "groped and sexually harassed" vice president of marketing Rosette Pambakian, and, after the incident was reported, the parent company conducted an internal investigation, not the independent one that former cofounder and CEO Sean Rad was pushing for. Although Blatt was ...
Tags: Tinder, Sean Rad, Los Angeles, Trends, Pizza Hut, Match, IAC, Match Group, Blatt, Mr Rad, Rad, Mateen, Mandy Ginsberg, Greg Blatt, Rosette Pambakian, Jared Sine