Tinder is turning to artificial intelligence to revitalize its dating app, which has reported nine consecutive quarters of paying subscriber declines as of the third quarter this year. The dating app’s parent company, Match Group, informed investors during a recent earnings call that Tinder is testing a new feature called Chemistry. This feature will get to know users through interactive questions and, with user permission, will access photos in the camera roll on their phones to learn more about their interests and personality. The feature is currently being piloted in New Zealand and Australia and is planned as a major component of Tinder’s product experience for 2026, according to Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff.
Match Group is not the only company requesting access to users’ private camera roll photos. Meta also launched a feature recently that asks to use its AI on photos stored on a user’s phone that have not yet been shared, in order to suggest AI edits. In both cases, the direct benefits to the user for allowing this expanded access appear to be minimal.
For Match, the company states that the AI technology will engage users with questions and learn about them to recommend better and more compatible matches. For example, if a user has photos of themselves hiking or rock climbing, they might be matched with someone who shares those same outdoor hobbies.
While the company experiments with these new features for Tinder, its financial performance is being affected. Match stated that its fourth-quarter guidance includes a fourteen million dollar negative impact on Tinder’s direct revenue as a result of this product testing. This, combined with other industry trends, has led the company to lower its fourth-quarter revenue guidance to a range between eight hundred sixty-five million and eight hundred seventy-five million dollars, whereas analysts were expecting eight hundred eighty-four million dollars.
The company is also using AI in other areas of the app. This includes a large language model system that prompts users with an “Are you sure?” message before they send potentially offensive texts. AI is also used to help users select their best profile photos.
Artificial intelligence is not the only strategy Tinder is employing to boost subscribers and engagement. The company has rolled out other features such as different dating modes, double dates, facial verification, and redesigned profiles. The new profiles display bio information on the first photo card and integrate prompts into the photo carousel.
Despite these product changes, Tinder operates in a challenging market. Some young people are moving away from online dating in favor of more real-world experiences. At the same time, online daters in the United States may be spending less as their disposable income shrinks amid concerns of a potential recession.
Match Group reported that in the third quarter, Tinder’s revenue declined three percent compared to the same period last year, and the app saw a seven percent decline in paying users. Overall, Match Group’s total revenue and earnings were largely in line with estimates. Revenue was up two percent to nine hundred fourteen point two million dollars, compared to an expected nine hundred fifteen million dollars. Earnings per share were sixty-two cents, representing a profit of one hundred sixty point eight million dollars, compared to an expected sixty-three cents.