Tinder allows users to add videos to their profiles.
Tinder
Tinder announced a number of new features for the Match Group’s largest dating app on Tuesday, including the option to add videos to profiles. It shows how the online dating industry is prepared for change after the pandemic.
Currently, Tinder users can only add a certain number of still images to their profile. The video option allows you to swap a video for a photo to add a live aspect.
Dating apps like Bumble and Match’s Hinge were able to take advantage of video capabilities as the Covid-19 pandemic kept millions of users at home and fueled growth. Rather than going back to strictly personal appointments, users are choosing to continue to have digital appointments as the pandemic restrictions will be lifted. This has helped them to add audio and video elements to what was originally a pure picture experience. And dating companies are taking note.
“It’s now a little less of a transactional environment where people want to get to know people better virtually before they date online,” said Jim Lanzone, CEO of Tinder, of the Covid dating on CNBC’s TechCheck. “That really creates a situation where Tinder is that iconic brand, but it really could become more of a platform and experience and all sorts of other ways for people to get to know each other.”
Video profiles on Tinder
Tinder
Tinder said the ability to add videos is the first step in its video roadmap.
Match last week completed the acquisition of Hyperconnect, valued at $ 1.73 billion, a social discovery and video technology company that will enable Match to advance further into the social media and video space. Match manager Gary Swidler said at Evercore’s ISI Inaugural TMT Conference earlier this month that the acquisition is important to the future development of its suite of products.
“We believe that with its large user base, Tinder can do more than just swipe, match and chat,” said Swidler.
Tinder will also be rolling out a new social feature called “Hot Takes” on Tuesday, which will allow users to chat with someone before they match up and have the feel of speed dating. Later this summer, a Explore section will be added to the app, allowing users to find matches based on interests, activity, or content type.
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