This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
As the world grapples with the 2020-05-21 Covid-19 pandemic, online dating platforms like Tinder have seen a dramatic shift in user behavior.
Tinder's chief executive, Elie Seidman, revealed that user engagement has increased, with a record 3 billion swipes worldwide on Sunday 29 March. In the UK, daily conversations on the app rose by 12% between mid-February and the end of March.
However, the economic impact of lockdown has taken a toll on Tinder's revenue, as people have less money to spend on premium subscriptions. The company relies heavily on these subscriptions for its revenue, with only 6 million subscribers out of 340 million downloads since 2012.
Mr. Seidman expressed concern about the economic impact of the pandemic on society and its members, citing the 2020 US unemployment figures as a worrying trend.
Interestingly, Tinder's data show that new sign-ups for premium membership pick up where lockdowns start to ease, suggesting that users are more willing to pay for the service as restrictions are lifted.
Other online dating platforms have also noticed a similar trend during the lockdown, with a surge in activity but a decrease in willingness to pay.
— BBC
