Tinder led a major shift and “trained people to expect online dating to be free,” said online dating coach and author Damona Hoffman, pointing out that traditional matchmakers cost much more. They also say that free online dating is a relatively new idea to which users quickly grew accustomed.
Tinder, launched in 2012, is the most used dating app in the US, with 79% of online daters under 30 having used Tinder.Įxperts say paid subscriptions are a good way to find other serious daters amid the seemingly infinite number of profiles versus those on apps just for fun. One in five adults in committed relationships say they met their partner through online dating, and around one third of online daters say they have paid for an app, according to a February report from Pew Research Center. Those online daters who want to join need to first apply, as well as meet a strict set of criteria including having a profile full of listed interests, a minimum of four pictures and bio of 15 characters displayed and a stated goal for what they want out of a relationship. But getting the invite and being willing to hand over nearly $500 is not enough to unlock the new tier.