Tinder Tests Camera Roll AI Analysis Matching Feature
Tinder is testing a new AI-driven feature designed to better understand users’ interests and preferences as the company works to reverse a continued decline in paid subscriptions. The feature, called Chemistry, asks users interactive questions and – with explicit permission – analyzes photos stored in their phone’s Camera Roll to infer hobbies, lifestyle traits, and personality markers. Match Group, Tinder’s parent company, discussed the feature during its latest earnings call, describing it as central to Tinder’s product roadmap for 2026. Chemistry is currently being piloted in New Zealand and Australia.
The move comes after Tinder reported its ninth consecutive quarter of decreasing paying subscribers, with a 7% drop year-over-year. Revenue also slipped 3% for the app in the third quarter, even as Match Group’s total revenue grew 2% to $914.2 million. The company’s CEO Spencer Rascoff said Chemistry will be a “major pillar of Tinder’s upcoming 2026 product experience,” signaling that the company views AI as critical to driving future engagement.
The testing phase is expected to temporarily impact revenue. Match’s fourth-quarter outlook includes a $14 million reduction tied to product experimentation on Tinder, contributing to a lower-than-expected guidance of $865 million to $875 million.
Tinder is not the only platform expanding the use of on-device personal photos. Meta recently introduced a feature allowing its AI to analyze private, unposted photos to suggest edits. In both cases, apps are asking users to grant a deeper level of access to personal content than before, prompting ongoing questions about privacy and user benefit. Match says its approach will translate into more personalized and compatible match suggestions – such as pairing two users who both appear to enjoy outdoor activities based on their photo collections.
