Tinder’s Astrology Mode Sees Success, But Skepticism

A few months ago, Tinder launched Astrology Mode, an optional feature that uses Western astrology to suggest compatibility between users. The tool collects a user’s location, date, and time of birth to generate sun, moon, and rising sign placements. It then identifies potential matches based on these astrological elements and provides compatibility blurbs to spark conversations.

Tinder recently took the feature to the streets of Mumbai to ask strangers about how much astrology influences modern dating, with a good portion of the responses being positive – or even agreeing that they would date somebody based on signs alone.

The platform reported an almost 20% increase in likes sent by women to profiles including astrology information during early testing. The feature taps into growing interest in astrology among younger users. Allied Market Research projects the global astrology market to reach US$22 billion by 2031, with the “love astrology” segment holding a significant share.

However, professional astrologers have expressed skepticism. Wendy Blume, editor of the Federation of Australian Astrologers journal, described the three-sign approach as a basic framework that may offer glimpses of compatibility but misses the full complexity of human personalities. She noted that Venus and Mars placements, which are important for romantic and sexual compatibility, are not included in Tinder’s system. Astrology itself also has many detractors and skeptics, all of whom would likely be disinterested in the feature.

Regardless of this, the response appears to be highly positive among those that use it, with the astrology features serving as a solid way for users to start conversations based on their compatability. However, it also runs the risk of relationships being cut short due to users wanting to avoid mismatched signs.