Hinge boss says single 20-somethings need AI to start conversations on dating apps because they lack the confidence of older generations.
Jackie Gentos told the BBC that Gen Z daters “absolutely want love” but were “struggling to find the confidence to put themselves out there” because they meet less in person.
She defended Hinge’s AI feature that prompts matches to start chatting as “not about writing words for you” but “helping you express who you are.”
Hinge has continued to grow its UK user base despite warnings from some relationship experts of “dating app burnout” and a more organic return to in-person meetings.
Founded in 2012 and owned by Match Group, which also owns Tinder and Match.com, Hinge has built its brand around the slogan “Designed to be Deleted.”
Jantos dismisses accusations that it’s “just a marketing ploy,” saying it wants to help users find long-term relationships rather than stay on the platform indefinitely.
Tinder is the most-visited dating app, but its usage has been declining for the past three years and is now marginally ahead of its closest competitor, Hinge. Bumble and Grindr follow Hinge as the most-used dating services.
About 1.5 million adults used Hinge as of May 2025, up from 1.4 million a year earlier.
