Tinder Introduces Virtual Blind Date That Puts Personality Front And Center

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Tinder is repurposing the age-old idea of blind dates through a new in-app feature. 

Users on the feature will interact and chat with a match before being allowed to view each others’ profiles, in an effort to encourage making first impressions based on personality instead of pictures.

The dating app has added the blind date tool to its ‘Explore’ section, which allows users to try out new experiences that vary from the usual swipe left, swipe right.

Other options include finding matches based on interests, or the ability to opt for a ‘Fast Chat’ before matching. 

According to TechCrunch, the virtual blind date will start off with a user answering several introductory questions, before the algorithm pairs them with a match based on common answers. 

Then, both parties will enter a timed chatroom with no additional information about the other, apart from answers to light-hearted multiple-choice questions.

Once the timer’s up, the two members can view each other’s profiles and decide if they’d like to continue the match. 

Engadget reported that members who used the blind date feature had 40% more matches than those other ‘Fast Chat’ options with visible profiles.

This could be due to it being a “low-pressure way to put their personality first,” by relying on conversation to make a positive first impression. 

The new feature is now available for users in the US and will be rolled out globally in the near future.

[via TechCrunch and Engadget, cover image via Tinder]