In a bold move to redefine online dating, Tinder has introduced an elite $499 monthly subscription plan named Tinder SELECT. This exclusive tier, accessible only by invitation and through a stringent application process, is stirring up the digital dating scene. Tinder SELECT isn’t just a premium service; it’s a gateway to a world where high-profile users mingle, unshackled by the limitations of the average user experience.
Tinder SELECT is not for the faint of heart or light of wallet. At nearly $6,000 annually, this service offers unprecedented features like direct messaging without prior matching, ad-free browsing, and early access to new app functionalities. Perhaps most compelling is the opportunity to interact with what Tinder describes as the “most sought-after profiles.” Since its inception in September, the service has maintained exclusivity, with less than 1% of Tinder users receiving the golden ticket to apply.
The criteria for joining Tinder SELECT are stringent. Prospective members must showcase a comprehensive profile with diverse interests, at least four images, a bio of at least 15 characters, and a clear relationship goal. This rigour ensures that SELECT members are among the most severe and engaging on the platform.
This new offering comes as online dating increases credibility for finding long-term partners. Pew Research Center reports that one in five adults in committed relationships met their significant other online, with a third of online daters paying for such services. Tinder, a dominant force since its 2012 launch, caters to 79% of online daters under 30 in the US. The platform’s shift to paid subscriptions reflects a broader industry trend, moving away from the free, casual browsing that once defined online dating.
Damona Hoffman, an online dating coach and author, observes that the resistance to paid dating services stems from unrealistic expectations set by free apps. She advocates for paid tiers to differentiate serious users from casual browsers. Tinder’s other subscription levels – Plus, Gold, and Platinum – offer varying degrees of enhanced dating experience, but none reach the heights of SELECT.
Julie Spira, another online dating expert, notes that while the free version of Tinder remains viable for severe daters, those with the means might prefer the efficiency and exclusivity of premium options. This stratification of services reflects a broader trend in the dating app industry, with Match Group, Tinder’s parent company, introducing similarly expensive tiers across its portfolio, including The League and Hinge.
Despite these initiatives, Match Group has faced financial challenges. While the third quarter saw a 9% revenue increase coinciding with SELECT’s launch, the company fell short of its fourth-quarter expectations, missing revenue forecasts.
Tinder’s SELECT represents more than just a new subscription tier; it’s a statement about the evolving nature of online dating. As the digital romance landscape grows more complex and diverse, Tinder is positioning itself at the forefront of this evolution, catering to those who seek not just a match but an exclusive and elevated experience. The success of this high-priced venture remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: in online dating, the stakes have never been higher.
