Tinder Turns to AI to Solve Swipe Fatigue

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Tinder AI Introduction: 3-Line Summary

  • Tinder launches ‘The Game Game’ based on the OpenAI API, allowing users to practice flirting with a chatbot.
  • Testing ‘Chemistry,’ a personalized matching tool, providing customized matches instead of endless swiping.
  • 78% of dating app users experience burnout, with the entire industry seeking a breakthrough with AI.

What happened?

Tinder has unveiled two new AI-powered features. The first is ‘The Game Game,’ a voice chatbot utilizing the OpenAI Realtime API.[eMarketer] Users can practice virtual first-meeting scenarios with AI. The second is a matching tool called ‘Chemistry,’ which provides curated matches daily based on prompts and personal data.[Global Dating Insights]

Hillary Payne, VP of Product at Tinder, stated that “efficiently connecting users to connections and sparks is a better experience.”[Global Dating Insights]

Why is it important?

The dating app industry is facing a serious crisis. According to a Forbes Health survey, 78% of users experience emotional and mental exhaustion while using apps. 79% of Gen Z feel burnout. This is a natural result considering the average user spends more than 50 minutes a day swiping.

Tinder’s performance is also declining. Paid users decreased by 7% year-over-year to 9.2 to 9.3 million as of Q3 2025. The number of MAUs in the US plummeted from 18 million in early 2022 to approximately 11 million. Competitors such as Bumble (-16%) and Hinge are in similar situations.

AI has emerged as a solution to this problem, offering fewer but more accurate matches instead of endless swiping. Bumble has announced the launch of an AI product in 2026, and Grindr has already introduced an AI recommendation feed.

What will happen next?

There is an interesting signal. In Tinder’s year-end report, the word users chose most often to describe dating in 2026 was ‘hopeful,’ not ‘fatigue’ or ‘guidance.’ If AI improves the user experience, there is an opportunity for a rebound.

However, there is also a paradoxical situation. According to a late 2025 study, singles want less technology and more offline meetings. No matter how much AI improves the in-app experience, it is uncertain whether it can solve the fundamental desire to ‘leave the app itself.’

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How does Tinder’s The Game Game work?

A: It is a voice chatbot feature that utilizes the OpenAI Realtime API. Users can practice virtual first-meeting scenarios with AI through voice. It is designed to improve conversation skills before actual matching. You can try flirting without pressure in a gamified format.

Q: What is swipe fatigue?

A: It is the emotional and mental exhaustion caused by the endless swiping mechanism of dating apps. According to a Forbes Health survey, 78% of users have experienced it. The causes include swiping for an average of more than 50 minutes a day, low matching quality, and repeated failures. It is particularly severe among Gen Z.

Q: Are other dating apps adopting AI as well?

A: AI adoption is accelerating across the industry. Bumble has announced the launch of a new AI-based product in 2026. Grindr is already operating an AI recommendation feed. Hinge is refining its matching algorithm. The common goal is to provide matches with higher quality over quantity.

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