Match Group CEO on Cultivating Human Connections in a Digital Age

Finding love with the right person has always presented a challenge. Surveys have shown that 67 percent of daters reported their dating lives were not going very well, and that was before the COVID-19 pandemic altered how, where, and when people could interact with one another. Now, 63 percent say dating has become even more complicated, while the number of adults interested in pursuing a relationship remains essentially the same. All of this may contribute to the increase in online dating users, projected to reach 65.86 million by 2028.

Online dating has become increasingly a part of the fabric of finding a partner, with 40 percent of daters expressing that online sites and apps have helped make the process of meeting people easier. For Match Group CEO Bernard Kim, these findings are far from surprising. The nearly 15 million paid users across Match Group’s online dating platforms indicate the relevance and essentialness of online dating. Under Kim’s leadership, Match Group has continued to experience growth with successful Q1-2024 earnings, up nine percent year over year, while diversifying dating site and app offerings for people from all walks of life.

The Match Group CEO also notes that digital ways to create connections are more than just a fad; they’re effective at bringing together like-minded individuals using everything from interests to algorithms. Seventy percent of dating app users go on to experience a romantic relationship, showing that online bonds can lead to real-life connections. The quality and engagement in these pairings are amplified because the Match Group’s business model does not rely on ad-generated revenue. Instead, user subscriptions last as long as the end user desires, with the average American taking just over eight months to find a partner.

Of course, not every online dating encounter ends in a successful romance. However, these stories may be perceived as more widespread than they are, given the rise of Gen Z singles and their willingness to share personal experiences online that were previously reserved for close, private connections. Notably, individuals under 30 are twice as likely as Millennials over 30 to use a dating app, shifting the face of the industry’s target market to a younger generation looking for connections that may or may not lead to long-term commitments.

Online and app-based interactions also help generate human connections for people who have difficulty meeting people with similar interests, backgrounds, or walks of life. While watching viral TikTok posts that enumerate the unavoidable, occasional poor online dating experience may be entertaining, these are not representative of most interactions. Three in ten adults have used a dating website or app, and more than 60 percent of LGBTQIA+ couples find their partner online. Online dating has opened doors for people to make lasting, impactful relationships that carry through to real-world interactions.

“At Match Group, we are fueled by our mission to create meaningful connections for every single person worldwide,” said Match Group CEO Bernard Kim. These connections are happening in a widespread fashion. Ten percent of partnered U.S. adults have met their partner through a dating app or website, and 42 percent credit these platforms with making the search for a partner easier.

Using an online app or site to tackle dating offers would-be romantics several benefits. Not only does it enable individuals to meet people outside their current sphere of influence, but it also streamlines the process of introducing oneself. Impressions are mainly positive, with 57 percent of daters stating that online dating is a positive experience overall.

This positivity is at the core of the Match Group CEO’s mission to help people from all backgrounds experience positive encounters and develop meaningful relationships. “This quest of wellness, happiness—it really comes down to those moments,” said Kim.

Dating apps have also evolved along with available technology and consumer demands. Artificial intelligence engines continue to process data and work to match individuals based on more specific criteria, including behavior patterns and user preferences. Additional measures to authenticate user profiles can help reduce the number of duplicate or fake accounts, saving genuine users’ time and energy and mitigating any perceived risk. The result has been a mainstay in how people connect with others in an age dominated by digital technologies that can close gaps, eliminate geographies, and pair the best matches.