Eliminated the fear of rejection by making dating a swipe game where you only see mutual interest. Rode the mobile wave perfectly, turning mate-finding into an addictive app. Hit 1 billion swipes daily and 16 million matches within just a few years.
The fundamental misalignment caught up: Tinder made money keeping people swiping, but users wanted to find a mate and leave. Gen Z rejected hookup culture and didn't trust online strangers. Competition from Bumble and Hinge carved up market share. The millennial tailwind disappeared, and 79% of users reported total frustration.
Revenue flatlined. Lost 600,000 users in one major market. Match stock crashed 70% in 2022. The parent company CEO had to personally take over the turnaround. Five CEOs in four years.
