Facebook Tests an AI Dating Assistant
▼ Summary
– Meta is introducing an AI assistant to Facebook Dating to help users find more tailored matches and refine their profiles.
– A new “Meet Cute” feature will provide a weekly surprise match to help combat user swipe fatigue.
– Facebook Dating has seen a 10% year-over-year growth in matches for adults aged 18-29, though its user base is smaller than competitors like Tinder and Hinge.
– AI features are now standard in dating apps, with Match Group investing over $20 million in AI for tools like photo selection and profile improvements.
– Bumble’s founder has suggested a future where AI concierges could date on behalf of users to determine compatibility.
Facebook Dating is introducing an artificial intelligence assistant designed to help users find more compatible matches. This new chatbot allows individuals to request specific partner criteria, such as locating “a Brooklyn girl in tech,” or to receive guidance on refining their own dating profiles for better results. Meta claims the tool aims to deliver matches that are more closely aligned with user preferences, moving beyond generic suggestions.
In addition to the AI helper, a feature called Meet Cute will provide a weekly “surprise match” selected by an algorithm. The company says this is intended to combat “swipe fatigue,” offering a curated experience instead of endless scrolling. Meta reports encouraging engagement, noting that matches among adults aged 18 to 29 have seen a 10% year-over-year growth, with hundreds of thousands of new profiles created monthly in that demographic.
Despite this growth, Facebook Dating’s user base remains modest compared to industry leaders. Competitors like Tinder boast approximately 50 million daily active users, while Hinge reports around 10 million. The entire dating app sector is rapidly integrating AI capabilities to stay competitive. Even newer platforms, such as Sitch, are building their identities around advanced artificial intelligence features.
Match Group, the parent company of Tinder, Hinge, and OKCupid, is making a substantial financial commitment to this trend. Last year, the firm entered a partnership with OpenAI as part of a $20-million-plus investment in AI technology. This is a significant gamble for a company that has seen its stock price decline by about 68% over the past five years. The investment has already yielded tangible products, including an AI tool on Tinder that scans a user’s camera roll to recommend the best profile pictures, alongside AI-powered matching algorithms. Hinge offers a feature that uses AI to help users craft better responses to profile prompts.
Bumble has also incorporated similar AI functionalities. The app’s founder, Whitney Wolfe Herd, sparked discussion last year by suggesting a future where personal “AI concierges” could conduct dates with other AIs to pre-screen compatibility before humans ever interact. This vision highlights the ambitious, and sometimes controversial, direction in which AI is steering the online dating landscape.
(Source: TechCrunch)
