The online article in the Observer/Guardian by Siân Boyle
“Addicted to love: how dating apps ‘exploit’ their users”
‘Online services that promise to find people romantic matches have been likened to gambling products designed to keep customers hooked…’
Shocking insight into the dating app industry and the way that they force premium services on users, manipulating the algorithms and generally being absolute corporate bastards. We all knew or suspected it but this article highlights how bad it is. Difficult enough trying to find a soul mate but this just fucks with my head a little. What hope, what alternatives?
It makes me grateful for the quirky little site we have, I know it’s not a true dating site but Fab has been wonderful for me personally, connecting me with people I never come in contact with otherwise. I could imagine the absolute shit-show it would become if a money grabbing company got hold of it. Lots of other swinging and sex sites heading the same way as vanilla dating sites… Premium services, controlling contacts and manipulation for revenues… |
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By *ugby 123Couple 3 weeks ago
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Blimey those are some expensive charges. The article sure doesn't make dating sites look attractive.
You can put the link in for a newspaper BTW
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/nov/03/addicted-to-love-how-dating-apps-exploit-their-users
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"Blimey those are some expensive charges. The article sure doesn't make dating sites look attractive.
You can put the link in for a newspaper BTW
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/nov/03/addicted-to-love-how-dating-apps-exploit-their-users
"
Thank you for doing that. It’s shocking. Paying £7 for 60minutes to find out who looked at you only for the next screen to request a subscription to actually do anything… 🤦🏻♂️ |
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Yes dating sites are extremely expensive and as the product and the user are the same thing, needing the site offers absolutely nothing for your money. They also create artificial scarcity. Dating apps make money, not relationships. |
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I’ve not read the article but got the general idea from the OP
First off I’d say, the purpose of a business is to make money. It’s actually a legal requirement of company directors to try and make a profit for their shareholders.
These sites are businesses, not charities, so their purpose is to make money from delivering a product/service.
Yes I agree that sometimes the tactics can be very unscrupulous and sail close to the wind. Shortly after I separated from my ex wife a few years ago I used an app that was free to set up a profile and view others, but charged for sending and receiving messages. I started receiving massages fairly soon after joining but I quickly realised they were not real women sending the messages, they were done by a bot. I complained to Apple and got a full refund on my in app spend the same day.
As with all things there will be good and bad. Read reviews but bear in mind many reviews are paid for. Those offering a limited period free trial that gives you full unrestricted use of the site will be better than those offering introductory discounts as a general rule, but not always the case.
There used to be a site which I won’t name that was fully free to use and was funded by advertising. I personally found it a total waste of time as it was absolutely swamped with members. Women were receiving so many massages there was no way for them to read them all. |
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"The online article in the Observer/Guardian by Siân Boyle
“Addicted to love: how dating apps ‘exploit’ their users”
‘Online services that promise to find people romantic matches have been likened to gambling products designed to keep customers hooked…’
Shocking insight into the dating app industry and the way that they force premium services on users, manipulating the algorithms and generally being absolute corporate bastards. We all knew or suspected it but this article highlights how bad it is. Difficult enough trying to find a soul mate but this just fucks with my head a little. What hope, what alternatives?
It makes me grateful for the quirky little site we have, I know it’s not a true dating site but Fab has been wonderful for me personally, connecting me with people I never come in contact with otherwise. I could imagine the absolute shit-show it would become if a money grabbing company got hold of it. Lots of other swinging and sex sites heading the same way as vanilla dating sites… Premium services, controlling contacts and manipulation for revenues…"
I read the article and I completely agree with you! |
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I find that the dating app I use doesn't show me anyone in my home town but at least 10 miles away. I have come to the conclusion that it is because I don't pay the subscription..
So it's basically useless as a dating app for me .. |
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