Justin McLeod, co-founder and CEO of Hinge, shares insights about the quest for authentic connections in dating. He discusses the dangers of AI chatbots, likening their use in dating to 'playing with fire.' The conversation highlights Hinge's evolution and its focus on meaningful relationships rather than just app engagement. McLeod addresses data privacy concerns and the challenges of integrating AI into personal interactions while emphasizing the need for genuine human connections in an increasingly digital world.
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Founder's Personal Love Story
Justin McLeod rekindled his relationship with his college girlfriend who was about to marry someone else.
This personal story inspired the founding and evolution of Hinge.
insights INSIGHT
Pivot from Engagement to Dates
Hinge shifted focus from engagement to actual great dates as its North Star metric in 2015.
This pivot focused on dating utility over entertainment led to Hinge's fastest growth in dating apps.
insights INSIGHT
Gen Z Values Authenticity
Hinge's fastest growing segment is 18-to-25-year-olds attracted by authenticity and intimacy.
Younger users appreciate the platform's human and intentional approach over gamified dating.
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In 'Principles: Life and Work', Ray Dalio shares the principles he has developed over his career that have helped him achieve success. The book is divided into three sections: the first section explains how Dalio's principles were formed from his personal and professional experiences; the second section outlines life principles, such as embracing reality, being radically open-minded, and understanding the importance of pain and reflection in personal growth; and the third section focuses on work principles, including the use of radical truth and radical transparency to transform an organization. Dalio advocates for systematizing decision-making into algorithms, learning from failures, and building a culture where it is okay to make mistakes but unacceptable not to learn from them.
Today, I’m talking with Hinge founder and CEO Justin McLeod. Hinge is one of the biggest dating apps in the United States — it’s rivaled only by Tinder, and both are owned by the massive conglomerate Match Group, which has consolidated a huge chunk of the online dating ecosystem.
Justin and I dug into that here, and we also explored some of the thorny issues around AI and dating, Hinge’s monetization, and data privacy in the second Trump administration. This is a fun one, with a whole lot going on. I think you’ll like it.
Decoder with Nilay Patel 
