Grindr Beats Q4 Revenue Estimates, Expands Share Buyback

Grindr has reported stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results this February, with revenue climbing 29% year-over-year to $126 million, surpassing analyst estimates of $122 million. The LGBTQ+ dating app also announced a $400 million expansion of its share repurchase program and reaffirmed confidence in AI-driven features to fuel future growth.

For the full year, Grindr guided revenue above $528 million, aligning closely with consensus estimates of $529 million. Shares rose approximately 4% in after-hours trading following the release. CEO George Arison emphasized the company’s commitment to remaining public after a failed privatization attempt in late 2025. “We are going to stay public. And everyone’s aligned on that. I think we have a very clear strategy,” Arison told Reuters. The company recently signed an 18-month standstill agreement with its largest shareholder, Ray Zage, preventing any unsolicited “going private” moves unless invited by the board.

Grindr is doubling down on artificial intelligence as a key growth driver. The platform launched Edge, a new premium AI-powered subscription tier that bundles its proprietary gAI system – including chat summaries, personalized match recommendations, and profile discovery tools – into a single offering. “Edge will be the focus for most of the year, trial and testing around the pricing and enhancing the user experience through the comprehensive offering,” Arison said.

Unlike competitors such as Bumble and Match Group’s Tinder, which have struggled with user retention amid dating app fatigue, Grindr has maintained strong positioning in the LGBTQ+ space. Arison attributed this success to the app’s focus on community-building, location-based networking, and a robust free product to attract and retain younger users.