Calgarians Abandon Dating Apps as Bumble, Match Cut Jobs

UPDATE: Significant layoffs at major dating app companies are raising questions about the future of online dating. Bumble has announced a staggering 30% reduction in its workforce, while Match Group, the parent company of Tinder and Hinge, recently revealed a 13% staff cut. This has prompted many Calgarians to reconsider their engagement with dating apps.

Calgary resident Jenny Wojtula, who has been navigating the dating app landscape for three years, shared her disillusionment. “I’d say disappointing,” she stated, reflecting on her experiences with apps like Tinder and Bumble. “Almost every single first date I had felt like the intentions were not the same.”

Wojtula isn’t alone in her sentiments. Her friend Emma M echoed these concerns, noting, “You have to be very picky. I feel like hook-up culture is kind of ruining it.” As more singles in Calgary express dissatisfaction, the question arises: Are dating apps losing their appeal?

According to Dr. Treena Orchard, an anthropologist from Ontario’s Western University, the initial excitement of dating apps has waned. “People are kind of bored of dating apps; fewer people are using them just for dating,” she explained. Dr. Orchard, who authored the memoir “Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture And The Darker Side Of Dating Apps,” highlights a growing desire for authentic connections.

The rising costs of dating apps and concerns over data privacy are also pushing users away. “A lot of us are really not all that keen on having our data being marketed and sold,” Dr. Orchard added.

In response to this shift, many Calgarians are seeking alternatives to online dating. Jenny Kavanagh, another local, shared her experience with social platforms like Meetup, which facilitates in-person gatherings rather than virtual swiping. “It could be a hike or a walk or something like that. So we’re meeting people that way,” she said.

As the dating culture evolves, the decline in dating app usage could signal a significant change in how singles connect. With shifts in social dynamics and the growing demand for genuine interactions, it remains to be seen how dating apps will adapt.

The developments at Bumble and Match Group serve as a wake-up call for the industry, and as singles look for deeper connections, traditional dating platforms may need to pivot to stay relevant.

What’s next? The future of online dating remains uncertain, but as more Calgarians explore in-person connections, the impact on the dating landscape could be profound. Are dating apps about to become a relic of the past? Time will tell.