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Tinder and Bumble pivot to real‑world events as Gen Z shuns swipe dating
Match Group, the owner of Tinder, reported a 7% decline in monthly active users in the second quarter, following an 8% drop the previous quarter. The earnings release triggered a stock fall of more than 10% after hours. In response, Tinder is expanding its new "Events" tab, which debuted in Los Angeles and has been rolled out to 26 cities worldwide, with a target of 75 cities by 2026. Internal research shows roughly half of singles aged 18‑29 want offline experiences.
Bumble announced its own IRL‑focused app, Plans, which connects users to low‑pressure group meetups without swiping. CEO Whitney Wolfe Heard said Gen Z prefers group socializing and that Bumble will shift away from the traditional swipe model, also working on a broader swipe‑free interaction system.
Industry analysts note a broader trend: singles are moving away from endless swiping toward speed‑dating nights, hobby‑based mixers and other in‑person events. Eventbrite data indicate a steady rise in such gatherings since the pandemic, and dating platforms are adding AI‑driven tools to help users transition more quickly from online chats to real‑world dates.
Entities
Bumble · Match Group · Spencer Rascoff · Tinder · Whitney Wolfe Heard
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Bumble launched the 'Plans' app to connect users to low‑pressure group meetups without swiping. techcrunch.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Match Group's stock fell more than 10% after the earnings release. www.sbctv.gr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Internal Match Group research shows about half of singles aged 18‑29 want offline experiences. www.sbctv.gr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Dating platforms are adding AI tools to reduce swipe fatigue and help users transition to real‑world dates. www.syracuse.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Tinder's new 'Events' feature has been expanded to 26 cities worldwide and aims for 75 cities by 2026. www.sbctv.gr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Heard said Gen Z prefers group socializing and the company will shift away from the swipe model. techcrunch.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Singles are increasingly attending speed‑dating nights, hobby‑based mixers and other in‑person events, with participation rising since the pandemic. www.syracuse.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Tinder's monthly active users fell 7% in the second quarter, after an 8% decline in the previous quarter. www.sbctv.gr