We discussed this topic 5 months ago. At that time, it seemed like a joke to us because we didn’t believe anyone would spend 500 dollars a month to find a date through an app. Now we know it’s true, which is what the Premium subscription entails.
Tinder recently announced the 499-dollar per month subscription, Tinder Select, by invitation only, as reported by Bloomberg. As part of the premium plan, subscribers can send messages to people with whom they haven’t matched, while the “most sought-after” users will have their profiles seen.
Tinder says it offers the plan to less than 1% of its users whom it considers “extremely active,” and the invitations will be opened continuously.
Spending half of your salary to date “the best”
“We know there is a subset of highly engaged and active users who prioritize more effective and efficient ways to find connections,” said Tinder’s Chief Product Officer, Mark Van Ryswyk. “So, we engaged in extensive testing and feedback with this audience over the past few months to develop an entirely new offering.”
If selected to apply, users will have to pass the company’s “5-point selection screen.” This means their profile must include a verified photo, a bio, five interests, at least four pictures, and details about the type of relationship they are seeking.
If their application is approved, members can add an exclusive Select badge to their profile. Similar to Twitter’s new option to hide the blue verification checkmark, Select members can also hide the badge if they don’t want people to know they have paid for the highest-level package.
The new subscription comes a year after Match Group, Tinder’s parent company, purchased the invitation-only dating app The League, aimed at “ambitious, career-focused singles.” That app can cost users up to $1,000 per week.
The League’s success inspired Tinder Select, but unlike Tinder, The League uses real human matchmakers—not just algorithms—that might help subscribers justify the cost.
In contrast, Tinder Select adds more features to the existing three plans, which start at $24.99 per month.
For example, with Select, Tinder promises greater visibility, even among its “most sought-after” users, while Tinder Select profiles will appear unblurred in someone’s “Likes” grid, even if that person doesn’t pay for a Gold or Platinum subscription.
Furthermore, Tinder Select subscribers can send direct messages to people they haven’t matched with up to two times a week. However, the company’s website adds that some recipients may choose not to receive these messages.
Despite everything, Match Group executives have high hopes for Tinder Select. The offering, which could cost a user $6,000 per year, is expected to have a significant impact on revenue.
So far, the primary appeal of Tinder Select seems to lie in its exclusivity and the opportunity to improve your chances with “the most sought-after girls and guys.”
