Times have changed and so has the dating scene. Before the arrival of Tinder in 2012, people had to meet prospective partners by referrals, going on blind dates or fate. However, dating apps have changed the game; people can now connect and find love virtually.
Dating apps have widened the pool for people looking for love as they can now connect with people outside their location and even partners who share similar traits or interests like them. More people are finding love online and at the last count, there were about…… dating apps available on app stores.
This article will show you how to create a dating app like Tinder, how its matching algorithm works, monetization, and the steps to develop a mobile dating app. But first, let’s check out some statistics on dating apps.
Current Dating App Statistics
Online dating is now a thing, but what do the stats say?
- Over 13% of users got married or engaged from dating apps.
- According to Statista, the annual revenue of all dating apps is estimated to reach about $2.5 billion by 2024, while users will reach 240 million globally.
- Tinder is the most popular dating app globally, with 64 million downloads in 2022.
- In 2021, Tinder generated a direct revenue of $1.65 billion.
The stats show that the dating apps market is growing, as well as customers’ demands. Therefore, if you what to make a dating app, this is the right time.
So, let’s learn how to create a dating app like Tinder.
What are Tinder’s Main Features?
Tinder’s uniqueness stems from a gaming spirit and swiping feature. If you like someone’s profile, you swipe right and left if you don’t.
Let’s delve deeper into the Tinder app features.
Social media login
Users can log in or connect to the app with their Instagram or Facebook profiles. This authentication improves its trustworthiness.
Geolocation
Tinder uses the user’s location to see which leisure spots, like bars, coffee shops, etc., they visit more frequently. The app then notifies other users who have visited that place after the app user leaves that place.
Furthermore, Tinder utilizes geolocation to discover interest-based matches. For instance, the app will remove restaurants if many users delete them from their lists.
Matching algorithm
The app algorithm matches users by comparing the new user profile with existing profiles and suggests relevant matches. Tinder ranks people by attractiveness and assigns a score.
More likes (right swipes) means a higher score. The app then shows their profiles to others with a similar number of likes. Thus, the app match makes the most liked people.
Swipe Surge
According to the Tinder press release, Swipe Surge increased user activity to 15x higher. The feature also boosts the user’s match-making potential by 250 percent.
Find matches
Users can use criteria like hobbies, age, gender, etc., to search for potential matches. Then, users who liked each other’s profiles are then matched.
Profile setting
You can set your profile on the app to make you more trustworthy and attractive.
Push notification
A user receives a push notification to indicate that there is a potential match.
Private chat
Users can chat with the match in build-in unscripted messenger when a match is made.
How to create your dating app: A Step-by-step guide
Now that you know the ins and outs of Tinder, follow these steps to create your dating app.
Find a niche
Finding a niche is the first step in solving the poser of how to create a dating app. You want your app to draw the most attention; to do that, you must select a niche.
See some most exciting dating niches below.
- Preferences in food
Many people have interesting menu choices, such as gluten-free people, vegetarians, and vegans. But, it is difficult for them to meet a like-minded person regarding food preferences.
So, you can bridge this gap by basing your dating app on some individual diet choices. An example is Gluten-Free Singles for gluten-free people to find dating partners or friends.
- Preferences in lifestyle
We are all different, with different life experiences and backgrounds. This shapes our lifestyles and choices. Shared preferences in lifestyle are a solid basis for dating. EquestrianCupid website for horses and countryside lovers is an example.
- Favorite pets
Pets are another theme to bring people together. Thus, you can create a dating app based on common interests in pets. An example is Purrsonals for cat lovers.
Select a business model
You can tap into any of the several business models that Tinder and other dating apps use to earn money:
- Premium business model
Here, users get a free set of basic app features, but if they want more features, they must buy a premium version with the following advanced features.
- Boosting profile. You can charge a fixed fee to show the user profile at the top of the search result.
- Advanced swipe. The smart algorithm adjusts the user’s photos to suit the interests of other users. It guarantees that the owner of a premium account gets more chances of getting matched.
- Unlimited likes. Users of the free app version have a limited amount of right swipes or likes, while users with a paid account enjoy unlimited likes.
You can monetize your dating app in other ways, like:
- In-app purchases
App users are interested in giving and receiving gifts from each other. Enable your app with paid gifts like greetings, flowers, and kisses.
- Ads
Many applications monetize through ad placements. You can charge other businesses for placing their ads on your app. You can choose cost-per-click or cost-per-mile models.
Choose the tech stack for a Tinder-like app.
Scaling the app must be in your mind when choosing a tech stack.
Why is it important? Let’s use Tinder as an example:
At launch, the Tinder app developers used MongoDB, the NoSQL database, to match people. But, as the app became more known and had more users, it became necessary to move to the more powerful Amazon Web Services hosting.
Choose a Dating App Development Team
To make the right choice of developers, consider the following criteria.
Developers Hourly Rate
Developers from different countries have different hourly rates. Yet they may have similar experiences and skill sets. A great tip to reduce development costs is hiring developers from other countries.
Portfolio
The portfolio gives you an idea of a company’s level of expertise. Also, a mobile development company with dating apps in its portfolio is a great choice.
One of our projects, WizzLuck, is a mobile dating application that connects people of similar interests.
Previous Clients
Check with former or current clients of the development company. Doing this helps you know their reliability to complete the project, commitments, and skills.
Development Capabilities
You need a development team commensurate with the project you want. An enterprise-level app requires a large team, while one or two developers are sufficient for a project MVP.
Develop and Launch MVP
After getting the team in place, begin the discovery (inception) phase. At this stage, you must clarify the project’s requirements, your business goals, and your prototype.
The Bottom Line
Developing a dating app is profitable but a technical endeavor. This article has shown you how to create a dating app. And as you know, you need a professional app development team to get you there.