A First Look at User Activity on Tinder

TL;DR

This study analyzes user behavior on Tinder, revealing gender-based differences in matching strategies and emphasizing the impact of profile grooming on attracting matches.

Contribution

First comprehensive analysis of Tinder user behavior combining profile data and surveys, highlighting gender differences and profile optimization effects.

Findings

Women achieve rapid large match counts

Men accumulate matches more slowly

Profile grooming significantly increases match success

Abstract

Mobile dating apps have become a popular means to meet potential partners. Although several exist, one recent addition stands out amongst all others. Tinder presents its users with pictures of people geographically nearby, whom they can either like or dislike based on first impressions. If two users like each other, they are allowed to initiate a conversation via the chat feature. In this paper we use a set of curated profiles to explore the behaviour of men and women in Tinder. We reveal differences between the way men and women interact with the app, highlighting the strategies employed. Women attain large numbers of matches rapidly, whilst men only slowly accumulate matches. To expand on our findings, we collect survey data to understand user intentions on Tinder. Most notably, our results indicate that a little effort in grooming profiles, especially for male users, goes a long way in attracting attention.