AI Will Save Dating Apps. Or Maybe Finally Kill Them (www.wired.com)
from misk@sopuli.xyz to technology@lemmy.world on 10 Feb 2025 11:35
https://sopuli.xyz/post/22463594

#technology

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PrivateNoob@sopuli.xyz on 10 Feb 2025 12:42 next collapse

Were they ever good tho?

misk@sopuli.xyz on 10 Feb 2025 12:53 next collapse

Yeah. When they had to fight for their user base. Even Tinder was reasonably usable couple of years ago. It paired me with my current partner which must be considered a marvel of technology.

Trex202@lemmy.world on 10 Feb 2025 14:21 collapse

Yes, but by pairing you, it lost 2 users! That’s counterintuitive to capitalism.

So if the AI works for the users, it will bring down the app.

If the AI works for the investors, people will get bad pairings and it will bring down the app.

ICastFist@programming.dev on 10 Feb 2025 15:23 collapse

Hey, it’s not “bad pairings”, it’s just a very good pairing (with fake AI profile) that “unfortunately” could never have a conversation outside the app

andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works on 10 Feb 2025 15:35 collapse

Neuralink ftw lol.

GeeDubHayduke@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 10 Feb 2025 13:43 next collapse

I had a modicum of success on OKC. In 2013.

poo@lemmy.world on 10 Feb 2025 15:13 next collapse

Ditto - a date from OKC in 2012 led to my current marriage

TammyTobacco@sh.itjust.works on 10 Feb 2025 15:17 collapse

But not your next one.

poo@lemmy.world on 10 Feb 2025 15:55 collapse

And probably not my twentieth

foggenbooty@lemmy.world on 10 Feb 2025 21:41 collapse

That was because OKC had long form quizzes and in depth bios. It has been Tinderized and is no longer recognizable.

psyspoop@lemm.ee on 10 Feb 2025 16:12 next collapse

I met my fiancée on a dating app circa 2014

chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world on 10 Feb 2025 16:25 collapse

And how much do you use dating apps now?

psyspoop@lemm.ee on 10 Feb 2025 16:32 collapse

Considering I have a fiancée, never.

chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world on 10 Feb 2025 17:16 collapse

And that’s the point. When it works, they lose 2 customers forever.

It’s a filtering process that removes all the diamonds in the rough. All that’s left is the rough.

Obi@sopuli.xyz on 11 Feb 2025 11:49 collapse

I mean that’s definitely true and all, but wouldn’t they also get a continuous fresh supply of single people (coming of age, breakups). Don’t get me wrong I totally get they want that and to keep the users hooked as well, because they’re greedy piggys, but still I don’t know if the business model is doomed if they don’t.

chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world on 11 Feb 2025 14:06 collapse

The issue is if those new singles enter the rough zone (full of people who have not had much success) they’re going to have a very bad experience. Probably the best experience is for then to pair off against other new singles and depart. Some will end up doing that but others will end up stuck in the mud like everyone else.

Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 10 Feb 2025 17:26 next collapse

Yeah the OG OKCupid was incredible. Then it was bought out and became another swiping app.

PrivateNoob@sopuli.xyz on 11 Feb 2025 09:00 collapse

Oh was OKCupid a non Tinder like app back then? Good to know

mint_tamas@lemmy.world on 11 Feb 2025 10:10 collapse

Yes, they had a system where you answered questions about a wide range of topics, and answered what the ideal mate should say, then give a weight to how important that is for you. For example, you prefer chocolate over vanilla, and you want your mate to be the same, but it’s not an important factor. On the other hand, you prefer not to be a nazi, and it’s super important your mate isn’t one either. Also, there were IQ questions which allowed filtering out the stupid ones (like is the sun or the earth larger). Then the system would recommend profiles based on a match score computed from your answers. Really great. Got two relationships out of it, one is going 10 years today.

Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 11 Feb 2025 14:56 collapse

Adding onto this, it was totally free and you could just endlessly scroll through profiles, read them, look at their answers to questions, etc. No need to say “yes” or “no” to each profile judt to see the next one. And if you answered all of the personality questions (there were hundreds if not thousands) you were invited to become a site mod, which I did.

DelightfullyDivisive@lemmy.world on 11 Feb 2025 12:50 collapse

I went on something like 50 dates with people that I found on online dating sites. This was between 2005 and 2007 (when I met my wife via Yahoo Personals.)

singletona@lemmy.world on 10 Feb 2025 12:55 next collapse

Unless you’re looking for other guys these apps are pretty well useless.

Nollij@sopuli.xyz on 10 Feb 2025 13:41 next collapse

I mean, the summary did list Grindr…

boxfulloffoxes@sh.itjust.works on 11 Feb 2025 22:13 collapse

Trust me, it’s not much better for us either. 🤣😭

singletona@lemmy.world on 11 Feb 2025 22:20 collapse

Ooof. Sorry man. i’d just figured with 95% of the userbase being male. It’s gotta be a decent spot for gay hookups.

boxfulloffoxes@sh.itjust.works on 11 Feb 2025 22:23 collapse

Well, me in particular it’s the whole gay AND disabled thing. But in broader terms: still lots of scammers to watch out for, lots of flakes (even if you’re only looking for a hookup), varies WILDLY by area (mine is mostly tractor riding DL types last time I checked), etc. Not bad, but not super either.

singletona@lemmy.world on 11 Feb 2025 23:50 collapse

Disabled. Oooof. I know how hard a pack that is to carry.

Deconceptualist@lemm.ee on 10 Feb 2025 15:22 next collapse

Let’s be honest, what these apps are going to do is boost user engagement (read: waste your fucking time) by pulling you into conversations with AI chatbots. The longer you’re there, the more advertisements they can feed you. It’s going to be harder and harder to find a real person, because investors don’t benefit from that.

Gonzako@lemmy.world on 10 Feb 2025 16:41 next collapse

Yeah, this is weirdly a service I believe should be provided by the goberment. They already promote meets and events, why not encourage couples among the locals

magic_lobster_party@fedia.io on 10 Feb 2025 19:52 next collapse

It seems like Japan’s government has made such app

Gonzako@lemmy.world on 10 Feb 2025 20:24 collapse

Hope they get it working

Bob_Robertson_IX@discuss.tchncs.de on 11 Feb 2025 01:32 collapse

Actually, this is something that should be an open source non-profit.

echodot@feddit.uk on 11 Feb 2025 09:13 collapse

I’m actually amazed no one has made an open source dating app it seems like such an obvious idea. You can even add federation to it so you could choose the interface you liked the best.

Deconceptualist@lemm.ee on 11 Feb 2025 13:51 collapse

I think the problem there is moderation. Who is going to do the work of blocking/banning 1000 creepy messages and dick pics per minute on an open platform?

echodot@feddit.uk on 11 Feb 2025 18:28 collapse

I don’t really use dating sites but as far as I understand it wouldn’t a personal block just solve the problem. I don’t think you can message people unless they match with you right so if you unmatch with them they’re essentially blocked and they can’t contact you again on another account because you would have to match with them on that other account.

Deconceptualist@lemm.ee on 11 Feb 2025 21:36 collapse

I’m no expert and I’ve been out of the game for a while, but as I recall the platforms are all quite different. Maybe it’s common now to only allow messages between matches.

But anyway, I was referring more to the trolls and harassers that need to be banned entirely, not just blocked/ignored by individuals. These people will put nasty inappropriate stuff as their profile pics in the first place, and create new accounts just to pester others.

echodot@feddit.uk on 11 Feb 2025 09:11 next collapse

waste your fucking time

I don’t have much fucking time as is, hence the app.

boxfulloffoxes@sh.itjust.works on 11 Feb 2025 22:12 collapse

They didn’t used to, at least many didn’t, before Match Group bought them all. Many, such as OkCupid, used to be quite good.

werefreeatlast@lemmy.world on 10 Feb 2025 20:30 collapse

Is your new AI gay?

We have the first Gay AI app in existence and we need you!

You’ll be able to communicate to other gay AIs in your IP range neighborhood this Wednesday! For free! Between 5pm and 5:05pm, when the moon is directly overhead.