Core Insights - The article discusses the unique business model of the dating platform "Yidui," which combines live streaming and virtual gifting to create a monetized matchmaking experience [1][2][3] - The platform's advertising slogan emphasizes the ease of finding a partner, but user experiences suggest that many may not find genuine connections, instead becoming part of a transactional system [2][10] User Engagement and Financial Performance - Yidui reports an average monthly user engagement time of 8 hours and a 72.1% retention rate over seven days, indicating strong user activity [2] - The company has seen significant revenue growth, with 2022 revenues at 1.052 billion RMB, projected to reach 2.373 billion RMB in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth rate of 129.5% [6] - The number of monthly active users has reached 9.9 million, with a growth rate of 45.8%, highlighting the platform's increasing popularity [7] Revenue Model - The primary revenue source for Yidui comes from virtual gifts, with a single rose costing approximately 0.1 to 0.15 RMB, and various interactions requiring multiple roses [4][5] - The platform's business model relies heavily on "matchmakers" or "hongniangs," who encourage users to spend on gifts, thus creating a revenue-sharing system that benefits both the platform and the matchmakers [8][9] Market Dynamics and User Behavior - The dating market is characterized by a skewed structure where lower-income male users are more willing to pay for matchmaking services, which Yidui capitalizes on [3] - Users often report feeling exploited, with some spending large sums on virtual gifts without achieving meaningful connections, leading to complaints of scams and deceptive practices [12][13] Challenges and Risks - The platform faces challenges related to user retention and the potential for fraudulent activities, as the lack of stringent user verification allows for scams to proliferate [11][13] - Despite efforts to combat fraud, the business model's reliance on virtual gifting may inadvertently encourage exploitative behaviors among users [12][14]