Dating appdates (Oct 2024): anti-ghosting features, dating ban on trains, Facebook ads used for dating, and more

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Jamie F
Updated October 21, 2024
Published October 21, 2024
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Is the end of ghosting on dating apps in sight? Perhaps not quite yet, but apps such as Hinge and a new one, After, are trying to crack down on it with new features.

Elsewhere in the world of dating apps, a British railway company has explained its no-dating apps Wi-Fi policy, and a code of conduct for the industry has kicked in in Australia.

Hinge’s anti-window shopping function

Hinge has rolled out a function that blocks you from liking profiles in the app if you have a backlog of unanswered messages from other users, in an attempt to reduce the amount of people matching on Hinge but never actually messaging each other.

The function is called ‘Your Turn Limits’, and kicks in when you have eight unanswered messages from matches. When you reach this threshold, you can lift the block by replying to the unanswered messages or ending chats.

It’s a simple measure, but one that has great potential to crack down on people using Hinge for ‘window shopping’ without the intention of actually dating anyone through the app. Hinge called it a “first-of-a-kind” feature.

Hinge said that when the feature was tested prior to this full rollout, it increased users’ responsiveness by 20 percent.

Announcing the rollout, Hinge chiefs said: “Ultimately, the app update helps to get Hinge users out on dates by supporting the daters who need help focusing and those waiting for the conversation to continue.”

They added that the new feature was “helping daters shift their mindset from quantity to quality of matches”.

No dates on a train

A British railway company caused mild uproar recently when it announced that it was banning passengers from using dating apps when using its trains’ onboard wifi. The move, made by Northern, was shocking enough to prompt a feature in The Times titled: ‘I’m not allowed to fall in love on a train now?‘.

Northern has since explained its rationale. Matt Rice, the company’s COO, said: “Whilst some dating websites – and users – will operate with appropriate levels of self-moderation, some might not and it’s important that content not suitable for everyone to see or hear – particularly children – isn’t viewed on our trains.”

“This on-board dating app embargo aside, we wish our single customers all the best in their search for their perfect partner,” Rice added.

‘After’ app holds users “accountable” for ghosting

Anti-ghosting dating app functions are becoming a ‘thing’. Not long ago Snack launched a function allowing you to report users for ghosting, and recently-launched app After has a similarly dim view of this behavior.

Launched in late 2023 in Austin, Texas, After requires users to give a reason for unmatching with a person before they are allowed to complete the unmatching and swipe elsewhere. The app’s founder said the function “holds people accountable”.

After

On After, if you leave a chat with a match dormant, the match eventually expires and you’re prompted to enter a reason for not continuing with messaging. Once you’ve entered a reason, with options including distance or ‘vibes’ being an issue, a kind message is sent to the other user, including validation about their worth and whatnot.

After is set to launch more widely in Texas before potentially expanding its stringently anti-ghosting message across further US states.

Australian dating app code of conduct kicks in

A new voluntary code of conduct for dating app and website companies in Australia, developed by the government came into force on October 15, 2024. The code compels apps such as Tinder and Hinge to cooperate with law enforcement when escalating complaints, and be part of a new safety rating system.

Bumble, RSVP, Grindr and eHarmony are among the other apps and sites to have signed up to the voluntary code, which will become enforceable from April 2025. In 2026, the code will be reviewed and Australian authorities will decide if it will become mandatory.

The code of conduct is designed to make dating apps and sites safer and more accountable. Companies signed up to it will have to have systems to detect online-enabled harm linked to their services, and to take action against users who violate safety rules.

They must also offer transparent reporting systems, and provide reports to Australia’s eSafety commissioner about the number of user accounts based in Australia terminated, as well as details about their moderation processes.

A safety rating system will be introduced, allowing users to compare apps and sites with regard to their scores. The companies will be compelled to engage with law enforcement if safety incidents derived from app-related behavior escalate.

Concerns have been raised about the initial voluntary nature of the code of conduct, but it has been largely welcomed in Australia by industry-watchers and safety advocates.

Photo filters supposedly DON’T make you seem untrustworthy

If you apply a ridiculous amount of filter effects to your profile photos on dating apps, do you run the risk of coming across as less trustworthy?

Apparently not. Researchers in Spain recently conducted a study looking at perceived trustworthiness in people depicted in dating app-style photos, and found that there was no significant difference in perceived trustworthiness based on how ‘filtered’ the photos were.

Researchers said they were surprised by this, presumably because one might assume that if you filter the heck out of your profile photo, you’re trying to depict a false image of yourself. Recently dating apps, influenced by the rise of TikTok, have attempted to promote ‘authenticity’ ahead of shiny beauty standards.

So, go ahead with those filters – it seems that you’re not eroding your credibility by hyper-pumping up your lips after all.

Love is… sponsored Facebook posts

This one’s technically about social media rather than dating apps, but allow us to include it due to it highlighting a (possibly) endearing and innovative approach to digital dating.

It’s recently emerged that some people are turning to Facebook sponsored posts and Google forms to find love online. A report in Dazed explained that people have been posting dating app profile-style information about themselves in Facebook sponsored posts.

People clicking on the sponsored posts find more information about the person touting themselves romantically, such as their political beliefs and favorite podcasts, and can leave their own details and contact information.

You can target sponsored posts on Facebook by location, ensuring that you place them under the eyes of people living near you, so this new method of love-seeking might not be so much of a long-shot. You could also argue that it bypasses time-wasters on dating apps in favor of people clicking through to show that they’re definitely interested in dating.

Scam potential? Of course, it’s there. Just make sure that if you reply to one of these sponsored posts, the forms that follow don’t ask for your credit card details.

Topics mentioned in this article Dating Apps
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Jamie F is a freelance writer, contributing to outlets such as The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph, CNN and Vice, among others. He is also the creative force behind the Audible podcast Beast Master.
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