Mobile dating platforms are adding interactive tools to help young users establish more meaningful connections.

Mobile dating platforms are adding interactive tools to help young users establish more meaningful connections. YPulse’s Finding Love Post-COVID trend research found that 43% of single 18+ have been dating exclusively on apps/sites since COVID-19 started, and dating apps have been moving away from the swipe-right, swipe-left interface to engage with young users. To help young singles form authentic connections in the age of pandemic dating, Bumble and Tinder have added more video and audio tools: Bumble’s “Night In” feature lets matches organize virtual trivia dates, and users can also send voice memos to matches inside the app; and Tinder’s “Swipe Night” is a live, interactive dating feature where users follow a mystery storyline together to try to figure out who committed the crime via “Fast Chat,” then choose to match with other participants after the event. Both companies have hinted at more interactive features potentially on their way, one being a Clubhouse-like audio chat experience. Virtual dates are also becoming more popular, and with 44% of Hinge users saying they’re nervous about dating again, video tools could be the norm post-pandemic to not only ease first-date jitters but help users know if they actually want to meet their match in-person. (CNBC, Axios)