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How We Connect
Daters on Hinge

Dating is deeply personal, and when technology is involved, it can sometimes feel like you’re not the one in control.

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You might wonder why certain people show up in your feed on Hinge and why others don’t. At Hinge, we believe you should understand how things work, especially when it comes to matching and going on great dates.

That's why we're explaining how Hinge's recommendation system works, how it is designed to help you meet people who feel right for you, and what you can do to shape your own experience.

What We Mean by "Recommendation System”

You’ve probably heard people use the word “algorithm” to describe how people appear on dating apps. An algorithm is a process that helps technology make decisions and complete tasks. A single algorithm can only make decisions based on one set of inputs, which used to mean that dating app users would set a few filters and then do most of the sorting themselves. However, preferences alone can’t capture the full picture of compatibility. 

That’s why what powers your experience on Hinge today is a collection of algorithms we call a recommendation system. A recommendation system combines multiple algorithms — using your stated preferences and your activity on the app — to better understand you and make thoughtful suggestions about who you see.

In 2025, we introduced a new deep-learning recommendation system that better understands who you might like — and who’s likely to like you too. Together with Hinge’s in-depth profiles — which require photos or videos and Prompt answers — our recommendation system is built to help you find the right people and help the right people find you as your needs, goals, intentions, and preferences change.

Dashboard UI overlaying an image of two people, displaying a list of "Dating preferences", such as "I'm interested in", "Distance", and "Relationship Type"

How the Recommendation System Works

Here's how our recommendation system learns from you and others on the app:

Your compatibility settings.

Your preferences help guide the people you’re most likely to see, including their age, distance, ethnicity, religion, and relationship type. The recommendation system also takes into account the preferences of other daters, so that the suggestions you receive reflect the likelihood of mutual interest. Paid subscribers can set additional preferences around height, family plans, lifestyle habits, and politics.

Your dealbreakers.

These are the preferences you've marked as non-negotiable. Hinge will only show you each other if you both meet the dealbreakers that either of you set, such as wanting kids. This helps you focus on people who feel like a real long-term match.

Your past behavior.

Every time you like or match with someone, we learn more about what you’re drawn to — so your recommendations become more aligned with your preferences over time.

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How You Can Shape Who You See

Your actions directly influence the people you see — meaning you can refine your recommendations on the app.

1

Be intentional about who you like and don’t like.

If you send too many likes, we can’t tell what you truly want. At the same time, if you rarely send likes, we don’t have enough information to learn from about who excites you. By engaging with others with curiosity and purpose, your recommendations meaningfully evolve alongside you.

2

Don’t just wait for likes, send likes.

Checking your “Likes You” tab is great, but if you only explore the people there, we have limited information to learn from. Sending likes in your main Discover feed helps us understand who you’re drawn to. Additionally, we can show your profile to people we think you’ll likely want to match with and who we think are likely to match with you. 

3

Take a closer look.

A person’s first photo or Prompt answer might not catch your eye, but their story, humor, or other photos could be exactly your type. Slowing down helps you spot real possibilities — and helps us understand who you actually click with. When you skip a profile too quickly, our recommendation system may assume that person (and others like them) isn’t your match, even if they could be.

4

Keep your preferences flexible.

Adjust your preferences and dealbreakers if your priorities have shifted. Small tweaks — like adjusting your distance or age range — can open the door to additional matches that you may have long-term chemistry with. You never know who might surprise you.

5

Understand the effect of “prefer not to say.”

When you select "prefer not to say," it limits who can see you. From family plans and dating intentions to drinking habits, you're excluded from being shown to people who've set dealbreakers around those compatibility factors.

6

Update your profile as you evolve.

Many people don’t update their profile after their first week on the app, but your profile should reflect who you are now. Update your Prompt answers to share your latest interests and stories, and add recent photos that showcase different sides of your personality and life.

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How Subscriptions Impact Your Recommendations

Hinge’s mission is to create a less lonely world, and the free app experience is essential to that. We believe everyone deserves a chance at connection without needing to pay. Ultimately, positive word of mouth from happy daters who meet on our app is vital to our success.

Subscriptions and paid features are intended to enhance your experience, not to limit who you can meet. If these features were available to everyone, they would lose their impact, and the overall experience on the app would be less satisfactory for all.

For example, if all daters could apply unlimited dealbreakers, everyone’s dating pools would shrink, and you would see fewer potential matches, even those who might be a good fit for you. Keeping some tools premium helps maintain a healthy balance in the ecosystem so that everyone continues to have a fair and high-quality experience.

Ultimately, great dates on Hinge come from the effort and intention you put into building connections — rather than how much you spend.

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Looking Ahead

As dating and technology continue to evolve, we are refining our recommendation system to better serve our community. We want our app to grow alongside you — adapting to your needs and helping you find an in-person connection that feels real and lasting.