As Grindr complaints rise, other gay dating apps try to swoop in

Queer Americans are much more likely to use dating apps than straight ones, according to the Pew Research Center .

Grindr launched in 2009 , completely transforming dating and sex for queer men over the last 15 years .

In 2024 , however, Grindr has been plagued by issues: updates that led to serious bugs and the introduction of further paywalls.

Dating apps are failing their user base because they're prioritising monetisation over user experience.

Users of apps like Tinder and Bumble have said that over the years the dating apps have gotten worse in terms of more ads and fewer free features.

The cost of living crisis is likely to affect those from marginalised groups more severely.

With an area so sensitive as dating, users want to feel trust in their platforms of choice, not like they will be expected to drop more and more money to meet a future partner. These apps may succeed in cutting themselves off from their target demographics through a relentless pursuit of profit.

Dating app users chose to go by their first names only for privacy reasons. This column reflects the opinion of the author..