In September, Tinder unveiled its premium subscription service priced at $499 per month, and the internet's response remains less than enthusiastic now that the service is officially live. Tinder Select, an invite-only feature promising the best Tinder experience, has struggled to gain traction at its steep price point.
As of its launch on December 18, 2023, users took to Twitter to express their disapproval. One user tweeted, "Nobody's buying this," while tech YouTuber Marques Brownless questioned, "How down bad do you gotta be?" Another user humorously suggested, "At this point just get an escort" accompanied by a crying face emoji. Someone even pointed out that with $500, a night at the club might yield better results than spending the same amount on Tinder for a month.
Despite the internet's skepticism, Tinder insists there is a demand for the premium service. Mark Van Ryswyk, the Chief Product Officer, mentioned that the company conducted "extensive tests and feedback" with highly engaged users before developing and launching the service.
The monthly subscription offers various benefits, such as the ability to send messages without matching and showcasing the most desirable profiles, as judged by Tinder. However, the actual impact of these perks on securing meaningful matches remains unquantified.
It appears that many people are unwilling to pay a premium price for Tinder, but the service is still being offered, suggesting that there might be a niche audience for Tinder Select. The initial invite-only release is underway, with a full launch scheduled to follow.