Disclaimer: Tinder sub autoremoves this post, I imagine because of the mention of its competitors.
In the year 2023, Tinder is basically interchangeable with ''dating apps''. People don't go on dating apps - they open Tinder. It has been so for some years now. But there was at least a solid decade of dating apps before Tinder appeared. What made Tinder so successful?

I am at a loss for an explanation because I am too young to have seen those ancient first days of this millennium. Back when I first had a need for a dating app, in 2017, Tinder had been on the market for roughly 5 years already. Every other app (or rather site?) was on its way out, and the newer competitors that aimed for the throne were not getting nearly as much usage. I need some perspective from older people. And even comments from current users could be helpful because I haven't used a dating app for 3 years now, and legitimately enjoy Bumble over Tinder in practically all aspects when I do. Even as a male.

From what I could dig out of the history books and conversations with AI, it seems like Tinder had:

1) User-Friendly Interface. Maybe. But there is no way modern Bumble and Badoo have worse.

2) Location-Based Matchmaking. Was this truly an invention of Tinder? Seems bizarre.

3) Large User Base. This makes the most sense. Was Tinder so ''basic'' everyone could get on board with it super fast?

4) Innovative Features Like ''Super Like'' and ''Tinder Boost''. Which is very questionable at being a weighable positive, because I've never heard either of those actually helping anyone. I'll appreciate experience stories.

5) Brand Recognition. I get this the least. Did they spend the most money on marketing?

I might dedicate my bachelors thesis on dating apps or Tinder specifically, but the barrier I am facing is the reason behind WHY Tinder is king. Cause if hookups are what you want, there were promising competitor apps that have taken a jab at exactly that and failed miserably. If you want a husband/wife, the good old OkCupid was more appropriate for the task. For social networking, even Reddit and Facebook Groups seem a better choice. My personal favorite use for Tinder has been guerilla marketing ''schemes'', but again, even then, it is... lacking.

Tinder seems like that app claiming to be a dating app, but in reality is a jack-of-all-trades basic stock app that does nothing well. And whats even more curious is that by all reports, Tinder is raking in the big bucks. So money has never been the obstacle...