Tinder Announces Video Profiles, ‘Hot Takes’, and Explore Page in Gen Z Expansion

22nd June 2021 Dominic Whitlock

Tinder has unveiled a suite of new features, which includes video updates and social experiences, which are designed to appeal to the next generation of daters.

With over 50% of the dating app’s members currently in the Gen Z range, the team has created a variety of new features to help them express themselves. Discussions around mental health and boundaries have continued to grow on the app, leading to the average user requiring more information to decide whether to swipe left or right.

Short videos can now be added to profiles, in what Tinder is calling the first step in its “video roadmap”. A lot of modern day culture is dominated by video, largely because of TikTok and YouTube, and the addition of clips was made to help singles showcase their honest, three-dimensional selves.

CEO Jim Lanzone said in a statement alongside the release: “A new generation of daters is asking for more from us in the post-Covid world: more ways to show off their authentic selves, more ways to have fun and interact with others virtually, and more control over who they meet on Tinder and how they communicate.

“They also want to date in a less linear fashion, at their own pace, and with the hope that sparks might fly with someone unexpected. Today’s launch lays down the building blocks for all of this and more – a deeper, multi-dimensional experience that expands the possibilities of Tinder as a platform.”

‘Hot Takes’ is a brand new social experience where two members can have a relaxed conversation before they’ve matched.

Similar to the recently released ‘Vibes’, both parties will get shown a topic that they have to give their opinion on, choosing from four multiple choice answers. They then get to see each other’s response and have a conversation based on them.

Every time a message is sent an extra 10 seconds is added to the timer. Once the time runs out, they can mutually agree to match and carry on chatting, or move onto someone else.

The game will be available to play every evening between 6pm and midnight local time.

Also announced today is a brand new ‘Explore’ section which is set to be rolled out in the summer. This will act as a dedicated section for users to find all of the latest interactive modes, features and filter by potential matches who have similar interests.

There is an additional option to only view other singles who have been verified with a blue tick, ensuring that they know who they’re talking to with a degree of confidence.

The Explore page will also house all of the additional modes, features and games, like Hot Takes, Passport, Swipe Night, Tinder U and Festival Mode, as well as new products, including ‘Pet Mode’, where users can match based on pictures of their animals.