The Tinder app is adding a new feature called 'Tinder Social' and the company just launched it in six countries: U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India. For an app designed for dating, Tinder Social presents something different; paired with users' Facebook friends list, it's a group match-making service for social events.
Initially in its testing phase users had to opt-out of the group-matching service which meant that their Facebook friends could likely see they were using Tinder -- something that not every user wants to disclose. Now that the new feature has gone public, Tinder has changed it to be opt-in instead, which means users will have more control over their privacy.
The company is attempting to break free of its reputation as a 'hook-up' app and Tinder Social might help with that. Tinder is a great example of an organization pushing against stagnation by experimenting and seeking change. By doing this, it will be able to widen its user base and expand beyond Tinder's initial offerings.
Friendship Dating Apps
The Tinder App Recently Launched Its Group Match Feature
Trend Themes
1. Group Match-making Services - Tinder's launch of 'Tinder Social' shows a trend of group match-making services, providing new opportunities for companies to connect people for social events.
2. Opt-in Privacy Features - The shift to opt-in privacy settings in Tinder Social highlights a trend of increased user control over privacy, creating opportunities for companies to develop innovative privacy features.
3. Evolution of Dating Apps - Tinder's move towards becoming more than just a 'hook-up' app demonstrates a trend of dating apps evolving to offer diverse features and cater to different user needs.
Industry Implications
1. Social Networking - The rise of group match-making services in dating apps presents disruptive innovation opportunities for social networking platforms to facilitate social event planning.
2. Privacy and Security - The development of opt-in privacy features in dating apps opens up innovation opportunities for privacy and security-focused companies to provide users with greater control over their personal information.
3. Mobile App Development - The evolution of dating apps beyond their initial purpose creates opportunities for mobile app developers to create innovative features and expand the functionality of dating platforms.