While we talk a little bit about Tinder at TechJunkie, we also get quite a few questions about the dating app. One that comes up a few times is, “What is Tinder Social and why can’t I use it?” We normally explain how to use features like affiliate links or Tinder gold. In that case, though, you’re out of luck – or maybe you’re just luckier than you think. The answer is actually quite interesting.
Tinder Social was introduced in April 2016. They noticed that even though Tinder is a dating app, people can meet through the app and want to spend more time together even if they’re not romantically involved. The idea was to have multiple Tinder users get together platonically to socialize, go on group outings, or attend group events. Adding a social dynamic to the app will help involve more of those who are flirting or looking to hook up.
Tinder Social was a great theory, but not so good in practice – the perfect example of people sitting around a table in Silicon Valley thinking they’re changing the world and completely getting it wrong.
Tinder Social
Tinder Social was given a trial run in Australia before rolling out Tinder worldwide. Tinder users were given a trial version that allowed them to create a friend group within the app. The idea was that you could chat, interact and schedule events with people from Tinder. They’re all nice and friendly and mostly platonic. This was particularly evident when Tinder wanted to expand from pure dating to a mini social network.
The truth was not so idyllic.
First, there was no option to ignore or disable Tinder Social here. This should have come across as a big red flag to everyone. If you’re an Australian Tinder user in the selected user base, you were on Tinder Social and that’s it. Apparently that wasn’t a problem – you didn’t have to use it after all. Instead, it raised a larger issue.
To create a group on Tinder Social, you are presented with a list of all your Facebook friends. So far so good isn’t it? Until I realized that the Facebook friends Tinder Social lists were other Tinder users. Essentially, the feature revealed every person you know on Facebook who secretly or otherwise uses Tinder.
Posted on Tinder
Tinder has always needed a Facebook account to use it. The app takes images from the Facebook network to feature them on your profile. What it didn’t do was post or otherwise advertise the fact that you’re using Tinder to the rest of Facebook. Even if the two apps are linked, you can be pretty sure Tinder will never advertise the fact that you’re using it.
Until Tinder Social came along. All of a sudden, you know exactly which of your Facebook friends is using the app. You can even view Tinder profiles without having to match them first. This had obvious consequences. Your friends can look at your Tinder profile and have a good laugh. They can see your pictures and use them for their own amusement – or worse, and all of a sudden, your secret Tinder life has been revealed.
If you’re single and open about your Tinder usage, it wasn’t all that terrible. But there’s always someone you don’t want to share the details of your dating life with. But what if you’re part of a religious group, a conservative family, or another group that opposes this type of dating? What if you were married or attached? What if you were looking for someone of the same gender while keeping it a secret? Part of Tinder’s appeal was being able to search for partners without sharing these things with your larger social network – until Tinder Social and Tinder tried to be your big social network too.
It goes without saying that this is not going well at all. Users immediately filed complaints on social media. Many Australian users have canceled their Tinder account. Probably a few relationships ended as well, both friends and otherwise.
Tinder’s response was also less than ideal. They even suggested that your Tinder usage should not be private, saying that 70% of its users come from recommendations. Not a great way to endear yourself to your user base.
In the end, they ended the Tinder Social experiment with these words:
“We discontinued Tinder Social in its original form. While the feature was adopted modestly with no real marketing effort, it turned out that the designed feature didn’t quite fit our future direction, which would focus heavily on video, location, and AI-focused features. That said, we believe these features will ultimately lead to a broader social experience on Tinder, which is the main purpose of Tinder Social.”
Appropriately neglecting to mention any privacy nightmares.
Tinder Social User Experience
Tested on Tinder Social Australia in a short time, some users tried it. It didn’t always go well. This post on Federalist explains with perfect clarity what can go wrong when you set up a group date using Tinder Social. Read to the end – it’s worth it just for the laugh.
If you’re looking for Tinder Social, I’m afraid you’re out of luck. He’s gone, never to return. After reading this, you’re probably glad you got away. I know, I vote!
While we talk a little bit about Tinder at TechJunkie, we also get quite a few questions about the dating app. One that comes up a few times is, “What is Tinder Social and why can’t I use it?” We normally explain how to use features like affiliate links or Tinder gold. In that case, though, you’re out of luck – or maybe you’re just luckier than you think. The answer is actually quite interesting.
Tinder Social was introduced in April 2016. They noticed that even though Tinder is a dating app, people can meet through the app and want to spend more time together even if they’re not romantically involved. The idea was to have multiple Tinder users get together platonically to socialize, go on group outings, or attend group events. Adding a social dynamic to the app will help involve more of those who are flirting or looking to hook up.
Tinder Social was a great theory, but not so good in practice – the perfect example of people sitting around a table in Silicon Valley thinking they’re changing the world and completely getting it wrong.
Tinder Social
Tinder Social was given a trial run in Australia before rolling out Tinder worldwide. Tinder users were given a trial version that allowed them to create a friend group within the app. The idea was that you could chat, interact and schedule events with people from Tinder. They’re all nice and friendly and mostly platonic. This was particularly evident when Tinder wanted to expand from pure dating to a mini social network.
The truth was not so idyllic.
First, there was no option to ignore or disable Tinder Social here. This should have come across as a big red flag to everyone. If you’re an Australian Tinder user in the selected user base, you were on Tinder Social and that’s it. Apparently that wasn’t a problem – you didn’t have to use it after all. Instead, it raised a larger issue.
To create a group on Tinder Social, you are presented with a list of all your Facebook friends. So far so good isn’t it? Until I realized that the Facebook friends Tinder Social lists were other Tinder users. Essentially, the feature revealed every person you know on Facebook who secretly or otherwise uses Tinder.
Posted on Tinder
Tinder has always needed a Facebook account to use it. The app takes images from the Facebook network to feature them on your profile. What it didn’t do was post or otherwise advertise the fact that you’re using Tinder to the rest of Facebook. Even if the two apps are linked, you can be pretty sure Tinder will never advertise the fact that you’re using it.
Until Tinder Social came along. All of a sudden, you know exactly which of your Facebook friends is using the app. You can even view Tinder profiles without having to match them first. This had obvious consequences. Your friends can look at your Tinder profile and have a good laugh. They can see your pictures and use them for their own amusement – or worse, and all of a sudden, your secret Tinder life has been revealed.
If you’re single and open about your Tinder usage, it wasn’t all that terrible. But there’s always someone you don’t want to share the details of your dating life with. But what if you’re part of a religious group, a conservative family, or another group that opposes this type of dating? What if you were married or attached? What if you were looking for someone of the same gender while keeping it a secret? Part of Tinder’s appeal was being able to search for partners without sharing these things with your larger social network – until Tinder Social and Tinder tried to be your big social network too.
It goes without saying that this is not going well at all. Users immediately filed complaints on social media. Many Australian users have canceled their Tinder account. Probably a few relationships ended as well, both friends and otherwise.
Tinder’s response was also less than ideal. They even suggested that your Tinder usage should not be private, saying that 70% of its users come from recommendations. Not a great way to endear yourself to your user base.
In the end, they ended the Tinder Social experiment with these words:
“We discontinued Tinder Social in its original form. While the feature was adopted modestly with no real marketing effort, it turned out that the designed feature didn’t quite fit our future direction, which would focus heavily on video, location, and AI-focused features. That said, we believe these features will ultimately lead to a broader social experience on Tinder, which is the main purpose of Tinder Social.”
Appropriately neglecting to mention any privacy nightmares.
Tinder Social User Experience
Tested on Tinder Social Australia in a short time, some users tried it. It didn’t always go well. This post on Federalist explains with perfect clarity what can go wrong when you set up a group date using Tinder Social. Read to the end – it’s worth it just for the laugh.
If you’re looking for Tinder Social, I’m afraid you’re out of luck. He’s gone, never to return. After reading this, you’re probably glad you got away. I know, I vote!
