Hinge won’t kick you off the app if just one thing on your profile breaks the rules but remove the content and prompt you to change it. https://t.co/qIbfqesIE0 ...

[Applause] Steve Jobs stood on stage at Apple's annual conference in 2010. He was holding the first ever iPad. He called it Miraculous, a device that would transform the way we consume media.There would be one in every home. A few months later, a New York Times reporter casually asked him, "Your kids must love the iPad, right?" He replied, "Actually, no. They haven't used it." Steve Jobs knew then what most of us did not. The sleek, polished personal technology was designed to be addictive.As someone who st ...

Core Insights - Hinge focuses on facilitating high-quality real-life dates rather than traditional metrics like user retention or daily active users, positioning itself as a unique player in the dating app market [1][6][18] - In 2024, Hinge achieved $550 million in revenue, marking a 38% growth with 1.53 million paying users, making it one of the fastest-growing mainstream dating apps [2][6] Group 1: Hinge's Unique Approach - Hinge emphasizes guiding users towards offline dates to foster genuine long-term relationships, contrasting with AI dating apps that prioritize virtual companionship [2][6] - The CEO, Justin McLeod, believes that AI virtual companions can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and replace essential human relationships, likening them to "junk food" [6][13][14] - Hinge's growth is driven by word-of-mouth, appealing to a diverse user base seeking both long-term and exploratory relationships, attracted by the app's authenticity and intimacy [6][21] Group 2: AI Integration - Hinge utilizes AI for personalized matching and effective guidance, enhancing the user experience by allowing more direct expression of preferences and values [6][8][9] - The app's AI-driven features include personalized recommendations based on relationship science and providing users with tailored advice for improving their profiles and interactions [6][10][17] - Hinge aims to create a more personalized matchmaking experience, moving away from traditional social media engagement metrics [7][8][19] Group 3: Business Model and Growth Strategy - Hinge's primary metric is the facilitation of high-quality dates, which has led to a sustainable business model, contrasting with competitors focused on user engagement [18][21] - The app has undergone significant transformation since 2015, shifting its focus from entertainment to genuine relationship-building, resulting in a 40% growth while other dating apps faced declines [20][21] - Hinge's unique business model is designed for "uninstalling," encouraging users to leave the app after finding a partner, which is viewed as a positive outcome [22][23] Group 4: Cultural Relevance and User Engagement - Hinge adapts to cultural trends, such as the increased importance of social skills post-pandemic, by enhancing user guidance features [24][26] - The app's user base is evolving, with a growing segment of younger users (ages 18-25) who value authenticity and intimacy over traditional relationship goals [23][24] - Hinge's strategy includes continuous iteration based on cultural shifts, ensuring the app remains relevant and engaging for new generations [25][26] Group 5: Organizational Structure and Decision-Making - Hinge operates with a decentralized structure, empowering teams to make decisions close to the user experience while maintaining strategic oversight [29][30] - The company emphasizes a principle-based decision-making framework, fostering transparency and trust within the organization [35][38] - Hinge's leadership has evolved to adapt to growth and technological changes, focusing on cohesive team efforts towards common goals [30][31][33]

User Behavior & App Performance - An individual swiped 2 million times on a dating app, resulting in 258 thousand matches and only one date, indicating a low success rate [1] - The user engaged in 1200 chats, which led to only one date [1] - Spending 5 years on the app without success suggests the platform is not yielding desired results for the user [2] Advice & Alternative Strategies - The user should focus on activities outside the app to improve their chances of meeting someone [1] - The user should consider alternative approaches, such as socializing with friends or attending events, to meet potential partners [2] - The user should re-evaluate their approach if the app is not delivering results [3] User Frustration & App Limitations - The user's experience highlights a disconnect between expectations and reality when using the app [3] - The app may not be effective for all users, particularly men [4] - Continuing to use an app that consistently fails to deliver desired outcomes can lead to frustration and self-doubt [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, total revenue for Bumble Inc. was $247 million, with a foreign exchange impact of approximately $6 million [28] - Bumble app revenue was $200 million, including a foreign exchange headwind of approximately $4 million [28] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $64 million, representing 26% of revenue [29] - The company reported GAAP net earnings of $20 million and strong cash flow of $43 million [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total paying users in the quarter were 4 million, with Bumble app paying users at 2.7 million [28] - Vadu app and other revenue totaled $45 million, with 1.3 million paying users [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates a revenue decrease of 10% to 13% year-over-year for Q2, with Bumble app revenue expected between $193 million and $199 million [32] - A $12 million revenue headwind is expected due to the discontinuation of operations for Frutz and Official [33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on quality over quantity, aiming to improve member experience and match quality [5][11] - Efforts include removing bots and scammers, fostering a verified community, and modernizing the matching algorithm with AI [12][18] - The company is reducing marketing spend by $20 million in Q2 to focus on organic marketing strategies [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management believes the demand for love is at an all-time high, indicating a robust total addressable market (TAM) [42] - The company is committed to improving member engagement and success, with a focus on long-term sustainable growth [25][34] - Management acknowledges short to medium-term headwinds but emphasizes a strong financial foundation and cash flow [30][34] Other Important Information - The company has identified $15 million in near-term savings across operating costs [16] - A new CTO has been appointed to enhance technology and product experience [17] - The company is prioritizing safety and verification through AI to improve member trust [60] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes in performance marketing and addressable market - Management emphasized that the focus is on quality, not just scaling for growth, and that the total addressable market remains large [39][44] Question: Key metrics for measuring success - Management highlighted the importance of member engagement quality, including successful matches and chats, as key metrics [54][56] Question: AI investments and productivity - Management discussed leveraging AI for safety, verification, and enhancing the matching algorithm to improve user experience [60][64] Question: User behavior in international markets - Management noted that user complaints about match quality and safety are consistent across international markets, indicating a global opportunity for improvement [100][102]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, total revenue for Bumble Inc. was $247 million, with a foreign exchange impact of approximately $6 million [30] - Bumble app revenue was $200 million, including a foreign exchange headwind of about $4 million [30] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $64 million, representing 26% of revenue [31] - The company reported GAAP net earnings of $20 million [31] - Cash flow for Q1 was strong at $43 million, ending the quarter with $200 million in cash and cash equivalents [31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total paying users in Q1 were 4 million, with Bumble app paying users at 2.7 million [30] - Vadu app and other revenue totaled $45 million, with 1.3 million paying users [30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates a revenue decrease of 10% to 13% year-over-year for Q2, translating to total revenue between $235 million and $243 million [34] - Bumble app revenue for Q2 is expected to be between $193 million and $199 million, representing a year-over-year decrease of 11% to 19% [34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on quality over quantity, aiming to improve member experience and match quality [5][11] - Bumble is modernizing its personalized matching algorithm using AI and machine learning to enhance match relevancy [12] - The company is reducing marketing spend by $20 million in Q2 to focus on organic marketing strategies [16] - Bumble aims to create a verified and trusted community by removing low-quality profiles and enhancing member profiles [11][88] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges that the online dating industry is at an inflection point and emphasizes the need for a return to quality matches [5][23] - The company believes that the demand for love is robust and global, indicating significant growth potential [44][100] - Management is committed to improving member engagement and success metrics rather than focusing solely on paying user numbers [24][34] Other Important Information - The company has identified $15 million in near-term operating cost savings and expects to continue finding efficiencies [31][32] - Bumble is not pursuing growth in international markets until product issues are resolved, with a focus on 2026 for international expansion [106] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes in performance marketing and addressable market - Management emphasized that the focus is on quality, not just scaling for growth, and that the total addressable market remains significant [41][42] Question: Key metrics for measuring success - Management highlighted the importance of member engagement quality, including match success and user experience [53][57] Question: AI investments and productivity gains - Management discussed leveraging AI for safety, verification, and enhancing the matching algorithm to improve user experience [61][62] Question: User behavior in international markets - Management noted that user complaints are similar across markets, focusing on fulfilling matches and safety [102][104]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Match Group reported total revenue of $3.5 billion for 2024, representing a 3% year-over-year increase or 6% on an FX neutral basis [10] - The company achieved its full year AOI margin target of 36%, reflecting a continued focus on cost discipline [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The peak dating season, which runs from the day after Christmas to Valentine's Day, contributed to a solid start for the year [7] - Tinder's year-over-year direct revenue growth is experiencing declines, which is impacting overall revenue expectations for Q1 [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Tinder's monthly active users (MAU) showed a decline of approximately 10% year-over-year in October, improving to about 8% in January [27][28] - Other brands, particularly Hinge, are expected to deliver improved revenue growth throughout the year as they execute their product roadmaps [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage innovation, particularly driven by AI, to improve product experience and drive growth [7] - Match Group is focused on fostering a culture of creativity and continuous innovation to remain a leader in the dating industry [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the product roadmaps developed for business units to achieve goals in 2025 and beyond [8] - The transition in leadership is expected to be smooth, with the new CEO emphasizing urgency and accountability in executing the company's plans [20] Other Important Information - The company is committed to returning at least 100% of free cash flow through dividends and share repurchases [10] - Management highlighted the importance of trust and safety initiatives in improving user experience and fostering a clean ecosystem [59] Q&A Session Summary Question: What inspired the new CEO to join Match Group? - The new CEO emphasized the mission of connecting people as a fundamental human need and expressed excitement about the potential of AI in the dating industry [12][15] Question: How will the strategy evolve under new leadership? - The new CEO stated that the transition would be smooth and that he supports the existing strategy and financial targets established at Investor Day [19][20] Question: What are the expectations for Tinder's revenue growth? - Management acknowledged that while there are declines in Tinder's revenue growth, they expect improvements in MAU trends and revenue growth as product initiatives are rolled out [24][25] Question: What initiatives are expected to drive user growth at Tinder? - Management highlighted several initiatives focused on trust and safety, user outcomes, and enhancing the dating experience as key drivers for improving user trends [48][49] Question: How does the company plan to address margin outlook for 2025? - The company is committed to at least 50 basis points of margin expansion in 2025, despite facing FX headwinds [40][42] Question: What are the emerging brands contributing to growth? - Emerging brands targeting specific demographic groups, such as CHISPA and BLK, are expected to offset declines from evergreen brands [81][82]