The Grindr app, one of the very first dating apps, is using AI to help you save time finding a partner. A paid feature that the company claims is proving popular, even if not everyone seems to agree. In both form and substance.
Grindr is known as the great pioneer of dating apps. The basic concept is clearly less about actually acting as a matchmaking agency… than about providing a quick and easy way to find someone to have a good time with, someone of your sexuality – just for one evening. Which, it must be said, was a real step forward over alternatives like forums and other MSN Messengers from the early days of the internet.
It was an immediate success. And this application aimed at an LGBT audience quickly gained imitators. In the community, first. But also, quite quickly, among heterosexuals with the launch of applications like Tinder or Bumble, among other examples. Over time, the Grindr experience remains simple and fairly quick to find partners around your GPS location.
How does the new A-List launched by Grindr work?
With a few written exchanges and other photo sharing, you find yourself a few dozen minutes later at another member's house (whose real first name you don't necessarily always know) – or to welcome them at home. All this while allowing you to connect with profiles that correspond as closely as possible to your preferences. Quite effective.
Over time, the application adopted a freemium economic model. With limited features in the free version, and access to more options by paying a subscription – which is now called Grindr Unlimited. Which brings us to the latest new feature launched by the company: it's called A-List, and it marks the first time that AI has arrived on this type of platform.
The company has trained its own AI, which is capable of shortlisting profiles that you'll focus on. But also of summarizing everything for you, so you don't "waste" too much time in discussions. Or to remind you what you discussed with each of the most interesting profiles. Grindr CEO George Arison claims that this new feature, still in beta, has already convinced quite a few members to pay for the Unlimited subscription.
Other apps like Tinder are preparing the same thing
And there's a good chance we'll see similar new features in heterosexual dating apps soon. Tinder CEO Spencer Rascoff has already revealed that the company is moving towards more AI to help its users find their match.However, not everyone is entirely convinced that this is a good thing yet.
First, there are some users who regret that this paid new feature replaces the free “Favorites” feature. Beyond that, one might wonder if generalizing this type of approach everywhere is a good thing. Because while Grindr promotes frugal encounters, not everyone necessarily finds themselves in this kind of fleeting consumption.
Which, some note, has an influence on the expression of sexuality. They find that it also tends to make stable encounters more difficult to find. But of course, there's something for everyone. Let's just hope that some alternatives will continue to focus on discussion, without shortcuts.
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