Hinge Introduces a More Intentional Dating Experience in India

On October 1, 2026, Hinge released a press statement announcing an updated experience tailored for Indian singles seeking meaningful relationships. The rollout emphasizes trust, privacy, and intentional connection through a suite of new features.

The company introduced a phased waitlist for new members, requiring users to create a profile, add photos, answer prompts, and optionally verify their identity before they can begin matching and liking. This approach is intended to ensure users join the community with a complete, thoughtful profile and a clear intent to form genuine connections.

Trust‑building Features

  • Face Check: A verification tool that confirms the person behind an account is real, enhancing authenticity.
  • Block List at onboarding: Allows users to prevent their profile from being shown to people they know, such as ex‑partners, colleagues, or family members.
  • Screenshot Protection: Blocks screenshots of profiles in Discover, Likes You, and Standouts sections, while still permitting screenshots of conversations for reporting concerns.

Conversation Controls

  • Signals badge: A profile badge that highlights users who consistently show care and intentionality; users can choose to display it.
  • Comment Filter: Enables users to block unwanted words, emojis, or phrases via a personalized list or an AI‑powered auto‑filter.
  • Match Note: Lets users share key personal details (values, boundaries, faith, communication style) privately with matches before chatting.
  • Media restrictions: Users cannot send photos or videos directly to matches.
  • “Are You Sure?” & “Did This Bother You?” prompts: Prompt users to reflect before sending potentially hurtful messages and to check in with recipients afterward, fostering respectful dialogue.

Jackie Jantos, Hinge’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Love is deeply personal to each individual, and there is no singular path to finding it. At Hinge, we want to listen and learn from singles in India, so that we can adapt our app to meet their needs. We’re excited to help more people in India find meaningful relationships in a way that feels right for their lives.”

Ben Celebicic, Chief Product & Technology Officer, added that the new experience is designed around safety and thoughtfulness, noting that “people are more open to connection when an experience feels safe and thoughtful.”

The press release also references a brand film (www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PZl82HTLOQ&rco=1) and reiterates Hinge’s core positioning as “the app designed to be deleted,” emphasizing that success is measured by users finding a partner worth leaving the app for, rather than time spent on the platform.