Are AI and Other Changes Coming to Grindr?
Gird our loins! There may be some changes coming to Grindr. Still haven't found that boyfriend from using the app? No worries, soon Grindr may take care of that for you as well. With the ever-changing world of technology, dating trends, and gay pheromones, the hookup app world has to keep its finger on the pulse of the future or be left behind. Does anyone remember Adam4Adam or Manhunt? Believe it or not, they are still around. We have to check if our old username is still there.
View this post on Instagram
Grindr has had a rough time of it since it went public in 2022. Being plagued by share drops, massive layoffs, and loans, the company is getting back on track but is looking to change its business model and app features in order to do so. Grindr’s chief executive George Arison sat down with Financial Times for a little chat.
According to the interview, the hookup app will rely less on the instant hookup aspect and more on the networking, travel, and long-term needs of the dating community. Sure, Jan. Other changes may be charging for certain application functions that are currently free.
A travel service that Grindr is currently testing is Teleport, where users can "transport" their profile to another location for an hour. This will give users an opportunity to network to visiting locations ahead of time. The thought behind this is that guys will use this for travel-related recommendations - restaurants and hotels - but also look for dating possibilities ahead of a trip, thus elevating the "network" component.
Grindr conducted a survey and found that half of their users are actually looking for real dates and long-term relationships over a quick jump in bed. Grindr has been notoriously, and even in mainstream media, been synonymous with gay sex. So who knows what kind of validity the app can develop in terms of overall gay lifestyle.
Employee-wise for Grindr, they had to pay over $8 million in severance packages after layoffs, and layoffs resulting from the app's mandate to return to the office.
View this post on Instagram
In other developments, Bloomberg reported that Grindr is in partnership talks with Ex-human Inc., an AI tool provider. The company provides chatbots that are more interactive than just informative ChatGBT. Incorporating such tools into the app can provide a type of "wingman" in making dating suggestions or even restaurant or activity suggestions. Could they also provide for a Grindr AI boyfriend? For sure. Did you check out our interview with SirenAI? They are already providing boyfriend services from favorite porn stars like Reese Rideout and Roman Todd, from personalized pics to dirty or romantic talk.
Have any gay news to report?
Questions? Comments? Email us at [email protected]
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.