Tinder Is Under Fire For Its Recent Release Of A $499 Subscription Tier

Tinder is facing criticism for introducing a pricey new subscription level.

If you've been without a partner in the last decade, you've likely tried online dating, even if only briefly.

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The concept seems logical: pay for a subscription, and you can attempt to chat, meet, and date others who are also looking for a relationship.

Yet, the ongoing debate about whether the cost justifies the benefits has intensified, especially as companies raise their prices or unveil extravagant subscription plans.

Tinder, a widely used dating app known for both its popularity and notoriety over the past decade, has recently introduced a new membership tier.

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However, this exclusive Tinder Select membership comes at a hefty price of $499 per month, leaving many hopeful singles in disbelief.

People on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram are expressing their astonishment and poking fun at the exorbitant costs.

“It's so cool and awesome when companies weaponize the feeling of loneliness!!!! This is good for the world!,” one X user commented.

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“If u just hit the club with $500 u prolly could leave with someone lmao,” another joked

“Now you can be lonely and poor,” added another.

“Bruh who is this for? I don't even pay for the normal level and i'm fine. Like what perks justify 400$?” added another.

Mark Van Ryswyk, the Chief Product Officer, explained that the company thoroughly tested and gathered feedback before creating and introducing the new service.

The Tinder page provides a detailed breakdown of what you get for the $499 subscription fee.

“Direct Message: Up to 2 times a week, you can send someone a message without having to match first," the page states.

"Note that you can only send a DM via the Likes Sent tab, you can’t send a Super Like at the same time and some users may opt out of receiving DMs."

“Skip The Line: People you like will see your profile unblurred in their Likes You grid, even if they don’t have a Gold or Platinum Tinder subscription. Your profile also remains prioritized on their Likes You grid for 7 days.”

“Special Status: Show off your membership with an exclusive SELECT badge. If you’re not interested in adding this badge to your profile, you can opt out of it in your Settings.”

“SELECT Mode: See and be seen by Tinder’s most sought after profiles, so you can enjoy more exceptional connections.”

“VIP Experience: Membership spots are limited to less than 1% of users to ensure you receive the most exclusive experience possible.”

“Early access: Be among the first to test special new features in advance.”

Nevertheless, there's no absolute assurance of securing matches with this premium subscription, so there's no guarantee that you'll have better results compared to using their more affordable monthly plans.