Tinder is a widely used dating app with a simple premise: users swipe right on profiles they are interested in and left on those they are not. However, there are many lesser-known aspects of the app, such as its algorithms and guidelines for matchmaking.
1. Attractive people are shown first
As per expert Alex Mark, the initial profiles you see on Tinder are of attractive users who haven't swiped right on your profile. The purpose of this is to make it appear that there are many attractive users on the app. The perception of higher-quality potential matches increases the likelihood of users choosing Tinder over other dating apps.
2. People who've already swiped right for you come next
Tinder's goal is to facilitate matches, so it shows users who have already swiped right on your profile next. Additionally, some users who haven't swiped right are also included to keep the experience engaging. This approach prevents users from indiscriminately swiping right on everyone they think may be interested in them. It adds an element of surprise to the experience and increases the chances of finding matches.
3. Every user has an internal attractiveness score
One of the lesser-known aspects of Tinder is its use of an algorithm called the Elo score to determine which profiles are shown first. The score is based on various factors such as the number of people who swipe right on a user and the number of people a user swipes right on. However, the exact components of the score are kept secret as it took the founders several months to develop.
4. Tinder rewards its more active users
Tinder prioritizes showing profiles of users who are active on the app. This is because the app wants to ensure that users are matching with people who are likely to log in and engage in conversations. The level of activity on the app is defined not just by swiping but also by engaging in conversations. This strategy prevents users from matching with people who have not logged in for an extended period.
5. It also rewards moderately selective users
Tinder views users who indiscriminately swipe right as undesirable as it suggests that they are either a bot or not selective enough. On the other hand, users who are too selective may not contribute to the matches that the app is trying to facilitate. To optimize the chances of finding matches, it is ideal to find a balance between these two extremes.
6. Even your interactions with other people are monitored
While the specifics are unclear, Tinder uses the length and frequency of messages to improve the user experience. Engaging in deeper conversations is viewed positively in terms of a user's attractiveness score and level of activity on the app.
7. There are a lot of cheaters on there
As of 2015, only 54% of Tinder users were single, according to research by GlobalWebIndex. Although Tinder has questioned the methodology of the study, GlobalWebIndex maintains its findings. It's not uncommon for people to see users on the app who are in relationships. The research states that 30% of users are married, 12% are in a relationship, and 3% are divorced.
8. If you're new to a location, your profile gets pushed to the front
This information may be disappointing for those who frequently encounter tourists looking for casual relationships on the app. However, it does explain why users often receive many attractive matches when they first move to a new city.
9. There's more to Tinder's direct approach than superficiality
Unlike traditional dating sites, Tinder does not require users to fill out a detailed questionnaire. This is because, according to the founder Sean Rad, the app's research has found that such questions can be off-putting and intrusive, which can discourage potential users from joining the platform.
10. Tinder starts to pick up on your personal preferences
According to the founder, Sean Rad, Tinder's algorithms take into account patterns of characteristics in the profiles users swipe right on and engage with in conversation. These factors include proximity, mutual friends, age, interests, and education level.
11. Tinder's data on users is often used for scientific research
In one instance, data from Tinder was used to improve a computer's ability to recognize gender based on facial features. However, this raises concerns about user privacy.
12. Speaking of which, we may be disclosing way too much info
All user data is stored indefinitely by Tinder. One individual requested his data and received 800 pages worth of information. Research suggests that individuals are more likely to share personal information on dating apps like Tinder than in real-life interactions. Additionally, the company has access to data collected from studying users' behavior on the app, which raises concerns about potential data breaches.
13. There's a reason you don't come across celebrity profiles very often
It's no secret that the chances of encountering a celebrity like Jason Momoa on Tinder are slim. While some celebrities, such as Hilary Duff, have publicly stated that they use the app, there is a separate, exclusive section of the app called Tinder Select. This service is only accessible by invitation and is primarily used by celebrities and the top 1% of users on the app.
14. Ever wondered about Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold?
A significant 51% of individuals who pay for dating apps do so on Tinder. As of 2022, the app has 75 million users, with more than 6 million of them paying for either Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold. These versions of the app allow users to undo swipes and grant more daily swipes, but whether or not it is worth it depends on the individual's urgency to potentially find a match.
More Interesting Things You Didn't Know About Tinder
1. There's a science to getting more matches
According to Dr. Jess Carbino, Tinder's in-house sociologist, facing the camera in your profile picture increases your chances of getting a right swipe by 20%, and smiling in your photo can boost your chances by an additional 14%.
2. Only 50% of Tinder matches meet up in person
It is common for some matches on dating apps, including Tinder, to not take their connection offline and into the real world. Many people use these apps casually and may lose interest or change their minds about meeting in person.
3. There are way more men on Tinder than women
Statistics from Statista in 2019 reveal that there is a significant imbalance in the gender ratio on Tinder, with 78.1% of users being men and only 21.9% being women. This is a striking difference.
4. You can use Tinder in 190 different countries
As of 2020, the Tinder app is available in over 40 languages, making it accessible to users worldwide. This allows people to find potential matches in their local area, regardless of their language preference.
5. Since it launched in 2012, Tinder has made more than 60 billion matches
This indicates a large number of users have used the app in search of romantic connections. It is unclear how many of these matches have resulted in long-term relationships.
6. A good portion of Tinder users are well educated
A study by Morning Consult in 2020 found that a significant portion of Tinder users have pursued higher education, with 15% having a postgraduate degree and 16% having at least a bachelor's degree. This amounts to 31% of users with higher education, which is noteworthy.
7. Tinder users spend roughly 90 minutes a day on the app
According to Buildonfire.com, Tinder users log onto the app an average of 11 times a day, with men spending 7.2 minutes per session and women spending 8.5 minutes per session. This amounts to a significant amount of time spent on the app.
8. Tinder allows users to choose from nine different sexualities
Tinder users can now select multiple sexual identities, including non-binary, trans, and bisexual, and are able to see profiles of all sexualities and genders. The CEO of Tinder, Elie Seidman, said that the feature is intended to empower users to express themselves and connect with others. The company is also working with GLAAD to improve the experience for the LGBTQ+ community on the app.
9. Tinder users are all over the political spectrum
According to a poll of its users, 16% identified as Liberals, 13% as Conservatives, and 7% as Moderates.
10. There's a bit of a generational gap
Tinder users under the age of 25, primarily Gen Z, constitute over 50% of the app's user base worldwide. Although, there are also a smaller number of Millennials on the platform. This indicates that online dating is highly popular among the younger generation.
11. Men are way less choosy
According to a report in the New York Times, men on Tinder tend to swipe right 46% of the time, while women only swipe right 14% of the time. This disparity in swiping behavior may explain why women tend to receive more matches and dates from the app.
12. Not many people on Tinder legitimately want relationships
According to a 2017 study by LendEDU, only 4.16% of participants said they use Tinder to find a relationship. Many other motivations were reported, such as 22.22% using it for "hookups," 44.44% for "confidence-boosting procrastination," and 29.16% for "other reasons."
13. Pre-dates are a thing now
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, dating habits have shifted. A Ypulse report suggests that 20% of daters now engage in a virtual "pre-date" before meeting in person. This allows for screening of matches prior to committing to an in-person meeting and potentially wasting time on a poor match.
14. Tinder is largely for straight people
Tinder is known for being inclusive of all gender identities and sexualities, however, a study conducted by Queen Mary/Sapienza/Royal Ottawa Health Care found that only a small percentage of users identify as homosexual or bisexual on the app, 12% for men and 0.01% for women. This may indicate that a majority of LGBTQI+ individuals prefer using specialized dating apps catering to their community.
