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Tinder is spreading like wildfire, facilitating more than 26 million matches and 1.4 billion swipes per day. The swiping model it pioneered is now used in apps for everything from job hunting to shoe shopping and “swipe right” is easily recognizable slang among millennials.

tinderThe app is fairly simple: Users add a few photos from Facebook, select their age, gender, and distance preferences, add a one or two sentence bio, and get swiping. Potential matches are presented based on location, rather than compatibility. If two users swipe right (or like each other) Tinder notifies them that it’s a match.

Tinder is particularly popular among millennials, with 16-34 year-olds comprising its biggest user base. Its rise in popularity coincides with a rapidly changing dating landscape. Many millennials are rejecting traditional relationships and marriage. Gender equality and advances in technology mean young men and women spend more time working (and less time courting) than ever before.

Still, many blame Tinder for accelerating the demise of traditional courtship and even claim the app has sparked a “dating apocalypse.” We dig into what Tinder critics call “hookup culture” on this episode of Generation App. Tune in to hear perspectives from millennial users, new features Tinder is testing, plus the GeekWire co-founders’ tips for reporter Taylor Soper to up his online dating game. Listen below!

Key takeaways

  • The ubiquity of dating apps and sites can make it difficult to approach people offline.
  • Our dinosaurs have a hard time with the superficial nature of Tinder.
  • The user experience is very different for men and women.
  • Many have qualms with the app, but they keep on swiping anyway.
  • Tinder is testing new features, including “sharing” Tinder profiles with friends and colleagues.
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