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Tinder Pilots AI ‘Chemistry’ That Analyzes Camera Rolls, Cuts Guidance on Test Costs

Match Group seeks to reverse a nine‑quarter slide in paying users by making the experiment central to its 2026 overhaul.

Overview

  • Tinder is running the Chemistry pilot in New Zealand and Australia as a limited rollout.
  • The feature asks conversational questions and, with opt‑in permission, analyzes phone photos to infer interests for match recommendations.
  • Match lowered fourth‑quarter revenue guidance to $865–$875 million, including a $14 million direct hit from the Tinder test.
  • Q3 results showed Tinder revenue down 3% year over year and a 7% decline in paying users, extending a nine‑quarter downturn.
  • The company also uses AI to nudge against potentially offensive messages and to help pick profile photos, and it notes plans to expand Chemistry to more countries in the coming months.