Tinder Adds Group Hangouts as Alternative to One-on-One Dates

The company said about 90 percent of users who tried double dates are under 30, according to Engadget. Tinder also said matches made through that option exchanged 35 percent more messages, which the report noted makes sense because twice as many people are involved. Tinder said those factors suggested younger users were looking for a lower-pressure way to meet new people with the help of friends. Initial tests of group hangouts in Australia also went well, with 40 percent of invitations accepted.

To set up a group hangout, a user first starts a group and selects an activity before inviting friends to join. Once the group has three or more members, its profile begins appearing to other trios, quartets and larger groups to discover. Users can also browse other groups. When a match occurs, a group chat starts so the groups can decide whether they all want to meet. Users can leave a group or a hangout chat at any time, and Tinder said all the usual safety features are in place.

The double date feature has been available since last year. Group hangouts add activity-based discovery to that approach, organizing introductions around shared plans rather than immediate one-on-one conversations. Tinder said the format is meant to give users a lower-pressure way to meet new people with friends.

Group hangouts will initially be available in the US and other select markets before Tinder makes it more broadly available. Engadget reported that if the feature is live in a user's area, it can be found from the top of the app's home screen.

Editor's Summary Tinder is adding group hangouts, a feature that lets users create activity-based groups and match with other groups instead of relying only on one-on-one dates. The option follows the app's double date feature and initial tests in Australia, and it is starting in the US and select markets. Tinder says the format is aimed at younger users seeking lower-pressure ways to meet people with friends.