Tinder recently held its first large-scale product presentation, unveiling an ambitious plan to win back users who are tired of endless swiping. Following a $60 million investment in development announced last August, the company is banking on a combination of in-person events and new video communication formats to capture the attention of Gen Z. Key innovations include a feature for finding in-person events, virtual speed dating in Los Angeles, and enhanced AI tools to improve matchmaking algorithms and boost safety.
IRL Events: Dates Without a Screen
One of Tinder’s most notable new features is the “Events” tab. It will be available in beta for users in Los Angeles in late May through early June. The tool lets users find themed events nearby: from meetups at hidden bars to bowling nights, raves, and pottery classes. This is a direct response to Gen Z’s growing demand for real-life interaction instead of endless scrolling through profiles. In recent years, there has been a mass exodus from traditional dating apps: young people are increasingly seeking authentic offline experiences or unconventional ways to meet people.
“We’re really trying to engage young users where they already spend their time”, said Hillary Payne, Tinder’s senior vice president of product. “You can go to an event with a friend, have a good time, or meet someone new. Instead of forcing users to choose between their personal lives and social activities, we’re trying to bring these things together and create a community focused on social interaction”. After the event, participants’ profiles become available in the app, allowing those who didn’t have the courage to approach someone or simply missed the opportunity to reconnect.
Virtual Speed Dating
Speed dating is also experiencing a resurgence. Tinder has launched a pilot project for virtual speed dating in Los Angeles. Users can participate in scheduled three-minute video chats with potential partners. It’s a sort of “chemistry check” — a way to break the ice and gauge mutual attraction before setting up an in-person date. Promising conversations can be extended. To participate, users must verify their photo.
Interestingly, this move seems like a belated response to the trend. Many users had already grown tired of video chats during the pandemic. Tinder’s previous video call feature, launched in 2020, was later disabled due to waning interest. Will this new format — where calls happen on a schedule rather than spontaneously — manage to reignite interest? The strictly scheduled format could alleviate the main stressors of spontaneous video chats: the awkwardness of an unexpected call and the feeling that you’re not ready for a conversation.
Artificial Intelligence as a Personal Matchmaker
AI was another key topic in Tinder’s presentation. The company continues to invest in this technology, starting with the “Chemistry” feature. It learns about the user through questions and, with the user’s permission, through the phone’s camera feed. The feature provides daily recommendations to reduce swipe fatigue. After successful testing in Australia and New Zealand, it has already been launched in the U.S. and Canada. In the future, aspects of “Chemistry” will be integrated not as a separate feature, but as a foundation shaping the entire user experience.
A new “Learning Mode” was also introduced. It shows more relevant profiles right from the start. The system quickly determines what the user is looking for and adapts its recommendations accordingly. Previously, it took several swiping sessions for the algorithm to start working accurately. Now, as Payne notes, the app understands the user practically from the very first screen. “We hope this makes Tinder feel like it understands you from the very first use”, she said. “Or if you come back after a break, you don’t have to waste time explaining to the app what you’re looking for”.
Security has also been enhanced. The “Does This Bother You?” feature now uses large language models to better detect offensive messages and automatically blurs disrespectful content. Another tool, “Are You Sure?”, is being fine-tuned to more accurately identify potentially dangerous interactions. Visually, the app is getting a redesign: full-screen photos, a subtle blur effect, and a “Liquid Glass” aesthetic for the action bar.
Tinder also plans to introduce “Music Mode” (up to 20 tracks from Spotify will automatically populate your profile), “Astrology Mode” (compatibility calculations based on the Sun, Moon, and Ascendant), and other formats — ranging from “double dates” to a special “Student Mode”.
1v1 Chat Pink — An Alternative Built on Spontaneity
While Tinder tries to mimic real-life spontaneity through schedules and algorithms, other platforms are born out of a desire for radical simplicity. One such service is the video chat app Pink. It embodies the exact opposite approach: no profiles, no algorithms, just instant video “right here, right now”.
Mechanics and experience. Users don’t need to create a profile, upload photos, or verify their email — all they have to do is grant access to their camera and microphone and press the “Start” button. The system instantly connects you with a stranger, and the “Next” button lets you switch at any moment, turning the conversation into a quest with minimal commitment. Unlike Tinder’s scheduled three-minute dates, Pink offers pure improvisation.
Anonymity and uncertainty. Pink’s main paradox lies in its greatest strength. The lack of personal ties makes you feel more at ease, but at the same time, every call becomes a gamble: you might meet an interesting person, or you might encounter unwanted content.
Moderation and Safety. The platform offers basic tools: “Report” and “Block” buttons, as well as age restrictions. Some versions allow you to filter by the other person’s gender or country, but this feature is often available for an additional fee. For some, 1v1 chat Pink will be a gateway to the world of dating, while for others, it will be a place for quick, no-strings-attached conversations.
Investing in the Future
This series of announcements from Tinder marks a strategic shift. Although the company reported revenue of $878 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, it has faced several consecutive quarters of declining paid subscriber numbers. The pressure to retain users and restore investor confidence is immense, and forecasts remain cautious due to shifting audience preferences and fierce competition.
Time will tell whether offline events, virtual speed dating, and AI will help maintain interest in Tinder. However, one thing is clear: the company is making a serious bet on the future of dating, moving away from the dominance of swipes and adapting to the fact that young users want to see reality, not just a picture. And perhaps the key to success lies somewhere at the intersection: between Tinder’s structured events and Pink’s complete spontaneity, between the predictability of algorithms and the unpredictability of a live gaze through the screen.
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