Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Tinder’s pricing algorithm can charge users up to 5x more for same service

foundation.mozilla.org

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

91–100 of 174 posts

Re: Tinder’s pricing algorithm can charge users up to 5x more for same service

#91

Post by 8f2ab37a-ed6c »

bradlys wrote: post #84
iratewizard wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Match group (which owns many of the major dating apps) definitely performs anti-competitive and borderline illegal behavior. But tinder is far from a monopoly. The fact that they own 22 dating app companies is testament to how easy it is to break into that market.

It’s a testament as to how easy to break in. It is not a testament as to how easy it is to turn a profit. These companies get bought by match because they’re not super profitable and able to compete until end of time against match.

To be fair, it's hard to expect to make much of a profit when there are 22 companies out there already selling the same exact product. Online dating is pretty much dead as a direction for new startups to pursue, one big red ocean at this point, and there's no clever play left in it that would set a new players in the space apart.

I don't see how consolidation into a couple of major players swallowing most of the companies in the space is avoidable. It's Booking Holdings vs Expedia Group all over again.

Re: Tinder’s pricing algorithm can charge users up to 5x more for same service

#92

Post by mushyhammer »

briga wrote: post #41
Beaver117 wrote: post #3

Of course, also Tinder's profit is directly dependant on you not finding a partner, so you continue to use their service.

This is really apparent in their “Top Picks” feature. They give you a list of people the algorithm thinks you will like, but you’re only allowed to check out one of them in free mode. Even though apparently these people are a great match for you they do not show up in the course of regular swiping. Which makes it obvious that Tinder is keeping a holdout set of people it thinks you are compatible with and never shows…

I think you got that wrong. Top Picks appear to be people who are picked the most, not because I would personally like them. Most of the time I like none of them even if they obviously have a “good” profile (sexy photos, no bio)

Re: Tinder’s pricing algorithm can charge users up to 5x more for same service

#93

Post by 14 »

8f2ab37a-ed6c wrote: post #37
trhway wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

you seem to mistake market efficiency for abuse of an asymmetry. If anything, allowing abuse of an asymmetry leads to decrease in efficiency. They don't need better service if they can just extract more from you for the same service.

The part I don't understand though is why this is a problem. If you think the price of the service is too high, move on to a competitor. I did once I saw how much they were going to charge me this year. Hinge/Bumble are a much better ROI at this moment, and Tinder lost a long time paying customer. That's the market at work.

Except that a majority of the dating sites are owned by the same company.

Re: Tinder’s pricing algorithm can charge users up to 5x more for same service

#94

Post by hunterb123 »

symlinkk wrote: post #61
greatpostman wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah the narrative has really changed. It’s not that different from the lab leak theory

I wonder what other opinions we aren’t allowed to have today that could end up being true?

- Election fraud. True or not, big or small, it's not allowed. 2016, yes. 2020, no.

- Hunter Biden laptop wasn't allowed on social media before the election under the guise of "hacking" and "misinformation".

Maybe I wasn't supposed to answer this question...

Re: Tinder’s pricing algorithm can charge users up to 5x more for same service

#95

Post by rrrrrrrrrrrryan »

bradlys wrote: post #90

This will likely become more normal over time. No one really cares because it’s mostly men who are losing their money. And rich men aren’t often on these apps - so it’s only the working class that is losing. So, working class men are getting screwed over by a corporation? No, you don’t say.

Price discrimination is illegal if it's on the basis of gender, race, religion, or nationality. Tinder isn't charging men more however - just older people.

It's unlikely age-based price discrimination will ever be made illegal, because it would effectively outlaw senior discounts.

Re: Tinder’s pricing algorithm can charge users up to 5x more for same service

#96

Post by morpheuskafka »

How does this work with the thing in iOS where you can just go to settings and change to any available subscription without going through the app UI? Don’t you have to give iTunes Connect the list of all subscription tiers and prices?

Re: Tinder’s pricing algorithm can charge users up to 5x more for same service

#98

Post by blfr »

rmason wrote: post #70

They're basically applying enterprise level pricing to a consumer product. You ever try and check the price for a SaaS service only to find that you have to contact them? They will explain they need answers to a bunch of questions to know if the product is a good fit for you. What they're really trying to do is figure out the max you will pay.

I worked for a company like that. We had one pricing for virtually everyone but our biggest and most prestigious clients. We even used to have it in the clear on the website in the beginning.

It's just that the product was somewhat complicated and the pricing form converted better when it generated leads for the sales team than when casual browsers bounced off it.

Re: Tinder’s pricing algorithm can charge users up to 5x more for same service

#99

Post by Wiseacre »

rrrrrrrrrrrryan wrote: post #95
bradlys wrote: post #90

This will likely become more normal over time. No one really cares because it’s mostly men who are losing their money. And rich men aren’t often on these apps - so it’s only the working class that is losing. So, working class men are getting screwed over by a corporation? No, you don’t say.

Price discrimination is illegal if it's on the basis of gender, race, religion, or nationality. Tinder isn't charging men more however - just older people. It's unlikely age-based price discrimination will ever be made illegal, because it would effectively outlaw senior discounts.

Tell that to all the entertainment venues that offer discounts or no cover for women.

Re: Tinder’s pricing algorithm can charge users up to 5x more for same service

#100

Post by dane-pgp »

meepmorp wrote: post #78
symlinkk wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder what other opinions we aren’t allowed to have today that could end up being true?

You seem like you have some in mind, why not get them out?

Nice try, Minitrue.
Post reply on HN