Tinder now Lets You Filter by Height – Is Digital love Becoming More exclusive?
Spain is seeing a surge in online dating, but a new Tinder feature is sparking controversy, raising questions about discrimination and accessibility in teh digital dating world.
madrid, Spain – Over 4.7 million people in Spain are turning to dating apps and websites each month, with Tinder leading the pack at 1.5 million monthly users,according to recent data from GfK DAM. However, a new feature rolled out by the popular platform is causing a stir. Tinder is now allowing premium subscribers to indicate a minimum height preference for potential matches.
While not a strict filter that outright excludes shorter individuals, the feature influences the algorithm, prioritizing profiles that meet the specified height requirement. This has ignited debate online,with many users accusing Tinder of promoting height-based discrimination.
A Male-dominated Landscape
The rise in online dating in Spain – up 17% year-over-year – is happening within a distinctly imbalanced user base. Three out of four Tinder users are men, who spend an average of nearly four hours per month searching for a partner, compared to just over two hours for women. This existing disparity raises concerns that the new height preference feature could further complicate the online dating experience for many.
Following a Trend
tinder isn’t alone in offering this type of preference. hinge, also owned by dating app giant Match Group, already provides a similar feature for its premium subscribers. The move suggests a broader strategy within Match Group: offering free algorithmic improvements for general profile relevance, while charging for more granular control over potential matches – like height.
According to a recent report by Quartz, dating app companies are seeing a decline in paid users. This new feature could be an attempt to incentivize premium subscriptions by offering features that appeal to specific user desires.Is This Discrimination?
Tinder defends the feature as a simple algorithmic preference, designed to help users find more compatible matches. However, critics argue that allowing users to prioritize physical attributes like height reinforces existing societal biases and contributes to a more exclusive online dating surroundings.
“In an environment where physical appearance already plays a key role, allowing users to pay to highlight certain features further feeds the feeling that digital love is increasingly exclusive,” notes a recent analysis.
Young People Turning Away?