“AI should support human connection, not replace it,” says Malgosia Green, Asia CEO of Match Group that owns several leading dating platforms including Tinder and Hinge. “AI should support human connection, not replace it,” says Malgosia Green, Asia CEO of Match Group that owns several leading dating platforms including Tinder and Hinge. “Human connection and love are foundational. AI may replicate parts of that, but it will always feel empty,” she told ET when asked about the rising trend of AI companionship.
India is the most open market for dating apps, according to Green, who handles Match Group’s portfolio in the area.
“India represents a large and exciting opportunity for Match Group. It has a large, young, socially active, and digitally native population,” she said in a virtual interview. “Urbanisation is creating large clusters of young people, particularly in the largest metropolitan cities like Mumbai and Delhi… We estimate around 120 million connected single adults—our core addressable market.”
Match Group dominates India’s online dating landscape with brands such as Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid and Match.com.
However, it faces growing competition from homegrown platforms like Aisle and Truly Madly, as well as Bumble.
Although online dating penetration in India is still lower than in other Asian markets, there is a “significant opportunity as social barriers reduce,” given the highest willingness to use dating apps, Green said.
As a consequence, the company is bringing in new products. For example, The League – a high-end, invitation-only app – made its debut in Delhi and Mumbai in early November.
The League operates as a smaller, closed network with more stringent visibility controls than more expansive high-intent platforms like Hinge. It uses LinkedIn or official email verification and a structured invitation mechanism. It saw high attendance at launch events in the country and a growing waitlist as the company focuses on curating the initial community rather than quick expansion.
Metropolitan India is similar to other global urban clusters where it operates, Green noted.
The Nasdaq-listed Match Group, which had 14.9 million paying subscribers globally, reported total annual revenue of $3.5 billion in 2024.
It claims to prioritise user safety in apps.
Green cited Tinder’s Face Check, a video selfie verification feature. India was among the first five global markets where Face Check was launched.
In markets where the feature has been implemented, there has been “a 60 per cent drop in exposure to bad actors,” Green said.
She, however, admitted that issues like impersonation and catfishing are still common and demand constant investments in AI-driven detection tools and verification.
India’s changing views on marriage and dating reflect a larger cultural shift, she noted. “There’s been a massive change over the last five to ten years in the acceptance of love marriages,” she said.
Online dating is becoming more comfortable, according to surveys conducted by Pew Research Centre and One Poll, especially among urban younger users.
With this shift underway, Green said, Match Group would “continue to invest, grow our team in India, and bring more brands to the country. We’re in it for the long game.”
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