Tinder launches AI feature to help singles pick the best profile photo and find love

Dating is tough enough but Tinder has harnessed artificial intelligence to help singles find their perfect partner in the digital age by ensuring the profile image has maximum impact.

Tinder's new AI feature aims to help singles find the perfect profile image.

Tinder is launching a new artificial intelligence-powered feature to help single people pick their best profile picture to appear on the popular dating app and “determine their entire romantic future”.

A survey of 7000 young adults revealed more than half (52 per cent) said it was difficult to select a profile picture of themselves – which can mean the difference between a prospective love interest swiping left or right on the app to reject or accept.

The new AI feature, which will be launched in Australia in weeks, involves using facial recognition technology and granting Tinder access to a user’s images on their phone. The AI will then curate, rather than generate, a selection of photos featuring the user for their review and publishing on Tinder’s app.

This is unlike the use of AI on platforms such as LinkedIn, where people use the technology to create fake images of themselves sitting in private jets or dressed in Harvey Specter-inspired suits, or other corporate garb in an effort to look more professional.

Tinder chief executive Faye Iosotaluno says people face the challenge of a “plethora of options”.

Tinder chief executive Faye Iosotaluno said the feature aimed to combat digital overload, which people in the smartphone and “selfie” age faced with “the paradox of a plethora of options”.

“As demonstrated by our photo selector feature, we’re developing AI tech to assist you in making decisions, not to make them for you,” Ms Iosotaluno said.

“Our commitment to our users is clear and equally applies to our view of AI: at Tinder, we develop innovative technologies to create a safer space for people to make authentic connections.”

Australian dating expert Sera Bozza said human brains “race through images 60,000 times faster than text” meaning profile pictures “aren’t just placeholders, they’re your pitch”.

“Let’s be real – choosing up to nine pictures that could determine your entire romantic future? Daunting doesn’t even cover it,” Ms Bozza said.

“You need shots that show you, not just show off. Close ups, action shots and your hobbies in full display – these pictures build trust and kickstart conversations. Every photo on your profile should work hard to get you that match.

“Tinder’s photo selector lets you tap into what Tinder knows about nailing the perfect profile pic while still giving you ultimate control over your selection.”

The federal government has cracked down on online dating apps after years of lobbying from the eSafety Commissioner for tech companies to “prioritise safety over clicks”.

Tinder and other popular apps such as Grindr and RSVP have agreed to adopt a new industry code, which involves terminating accounts from abusive users as well as “proactive escalation” by complaints with law enforcement agencies where there is an “imminent threat to the safety of a complainant” and to stamp out violence.

The code will feature a new compliance rating system which will be published on their services to provide users “clear guidance on how each dating service is meeting its commitments”.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said online dating was now the most common way to meet a partner in Australia, hence the need to strengthen safety to curb gender-based violence.

“The Albanese government’s constructive engagement with industry means that the largest online dating services operating in Australia have made clear, public commitments to improve the safety of their services – including to crack down on abuse and de-platform dangerous users,” Ms Rowland said this month.

The agreement of the dating apps is in contrast to the tussle the government is having with Facebook owner Meta, which has threatened to withdraw all news from its platforms after it abandoned a separate code that compensated media companies for publishing their content. This has resulted in almost $100m being lost by newsrooms and sparked concerns that Meta’s platforms will be awash with misinformation in what is internationally one of the biggest election years in history.