Tinder Tests AI Feature to Cut Swipe Fatigue and Boost Matches

Tinder, the popular dating app owned by Match Group, has begun testing a new artificial intelligence feature called Chemistry. The tool aims to help users find better matches by looking at their phone photos and asking questions about their lives. Tests are underway now in Australia and New Zealand, with plans to roll it out wider in 2026. The company hopes this will fix what it calls swipe fatigue, where people get tired of scrolling through endless profiles without good results. Match Group shared these details during its latest earnings call with investors.

Background

Dating apps like Tinder have changed how people meet for years. Users swipe right or left on profiles to show interest. A match happens only if both people swipe right on each other. But lately, many users say they feel worn out from all the swiping. They spend time on the app but end up with few real connections. Tinder's paying users have dropped for nine straight quarters. New sign-ups fell 5% in the last quarter compared to the year before. Monthly active users dropped 9%. Revenue for Tinder went down 3% in the third quarter.

Match Group, which runs Tinder, Hinge, and other apps, saw its overall revenue rise 2% to $914.2 million. Still, Tinder's struggles hurt the bottom line. The company now expects Tinder revenue to drop by about $14 million this quarter because of these tests. That puts the full quarter forecast at $865 million to $875 million, below what some analysts predicted. Young people, especially Gen Z, seem less interested. Some prefer meeting people in real life. Others spend less money on apps.

Tinder has tried other changes to bring users back. It added dating modes, double date options, and better profile designs. It also started facial verification to check if profiles are real. This Face Check tool cut interactions with bad actors by more than 50%. Reports of suspicious activity dropped 40%. The company made it required for new users in California and plans to expand to more places like the U.S., Canada, India, Australia, and Colombia.

Key Details

The Chemistry feature works by getting to know users better. It asks interactive questions about hobbies, likes, and daily life. Users can also let it look at photos in their phone's Camera Roll. The AI studies these to spot patterns. For example, if someone has pictures from hikes or camping, it might match them with others who like outdoor activities. Or photos from concerts could link them to music fans. The goal is fewer profiles, but ones that fit better.

Instead of swiping through many options, users get just one or two strong suggestions each day. This makes the process feel more focused.

How Chemistry Fits Into Tinder's Plans

Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff said during the earnings call that Chemistry will be a main part of Tinder's updates in 2026.

"Chemistry will be a major pillar of Tinder’s upcoming 2026 product experience." – Spencer Rascoff, Match Group CEO

The feature is still in early tests. Right now, it's only in Australia, but it started in New Zealand too. Early feedback shows promise, but full results will come later. Tinder plans to use AI in other ways too. One tool checks messages before sending to stop offensive ones. It asks, "Are you sure?" Another helps pick the best photos for profiles.

Other dating apps are doing similar things. Bumble uses AI to spot fake profiles and suggest kinder chat starters. Hinge, also from Match Group, ranks matches based on past likes and chats. Grindr checks for harassment. OkCupid makes quizzes that learn from answers to match people on values.

What This Means

If Chemistry works, it could change how Tinder operates. The swipe system made the app famous, but it might not hold up forever. Users want real connections, not just quick judgments from photos. By using AI to match on shared interests and lifestyles, Tinder hopes to keep people on the app longer. They might pay more for premium features if matches lead to dates.

Privacy is a big issue here. The feature needs permission to see personal photos. Some users worry about sharing that data, even if they choose to. Apps like Meta have tried similar photo analysis, and it raised questions. Tinder says it's optional, but trust matters in dating.

The financial hit from tests shows Match Group is serious. They expect short-term losses but bet on gains later. Tinder wants to fix problems like too many fake profiles and boring repeats. Features like Face Check build trust. Better matches could bring back users who left for offline ways to meet people.

Rivals are watching. If Tinder pulls this off, others might follow with more AI. The dating app world could shift from fast swipes to smart suggestions. For now, tests continue. Users in Australia and New Zealand are the first to try it. Match Group will share more updates as it expands. The company aims to make dating on Tinder feel fresh and effective again.