The Meet Group announced today that it has introduced streaming capabilities to its subsidiary GROWLr, believed to be the first gay dating app in North America to support live video.
The new feature will allow users to connect through one-to-many streaming sessions, send virtual gifts to each other, and engage in conversations without leaving their homes.
Geoff Cook, CEO of The Meet Group, explained in a statement: “In today’s climate, live streaming allows people to feel connected while maintaining proper dating distance.
“[GROWLr] users are always seeking new ways to make meaningful connections and ‘GROWLr Live’ provides immediate intimacy that other LGBT dating apps don’t offer.
“More video features are expected to enhance the Live video experience next month, including free one-on-one video chat.”
The Meet Group completed its acquisition of GROWLr last year, in a deal worth approximately $11.8 million, marking its first venture into the LGBTQ market.
The online dating company already offers live streaming for the other brands in its portfolio, including MeetMe, LOVOO, Skout and Tagged. Since the coronavirus outbreak, video activity has grown significantly.
There was a 38% increase in video chats per day the week after COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, and there are now more than one million daily active users of live video.
Plenty of Fish brought forward the release of its own live streaming mode, which was created with help from The Meet Group, in response to the outbreak.
Visit The Meet Group’s website here.