Survey on Russian Dating App Shifts After Tinder Exit
Following Tinder’s withdrawal from Russia, the dating landscape saw notable changes on the platform Mamba. According to Mamba’s press team, the service experienced a significant uptick in user activity, with socialbites.ca noting growth in its user base. Data indicated that after news of Tinder’s suspension spread, women tended to initiate conversations more often, effectively doubling the rate of first messages from female users.
During May and June 2023, registrations on Mamba increased by 25 percent among men and 17 percent among women when compared to the same period in 2021. The majority of new signups came from iOS users, accounting for about 78 percent. Geographically, larger waves of new profiles appeared in major cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Sochi. It was also observed that new users showed a stronger interest in connecting with men, with a 27 percent rise in likes for male profiles and twice as many first messages sent by women in this timeframe.
Press officials noted that Tinder’s departure from the Russian market led users to seek more serious relationships through other dating platforms. There was also a discernible increase in the demand for travel companions among both genders, suggesting a diversification of dating goals beyond traditional dating alone.
Analysts highlighted another shift in dating purposes over the two months. For men, the share seeking long-term relationships and marriage rose by 17 percent, while the number looking for pen pals dropped by 34 percent. The segment seeking travel companions grew by 25 percent. The analysts attributed these changes to ongoing relocations and the summer vacation season. Among women, the interest in travel companions rose by 17 percent in May and June, and the proportion pursuing serious relationships increased by 34 percent, signaling a broader reorientation of dating priorities during this period.
Match Group, the owner of Tinder, announced the cessation of operations in Russia on June 30. Tinder’s app was removed from Google Play and the App Store for Russian users. Attempts to sign in often resulted in an error message prompting users to try again later. The company had indicated plans to wind down activities in Russia in May 2023.
Reports from a Telegram channel named Shot suggested that some users could access Tinder with a virtual private network after its removal, indicating continued interest despite the platform’s official withdrawal. Earlier surveys indicated that nearly half of Russians who use dating services would miss Tinder after its exit.
The overall picture shows a dating app ecosystem in Russia adapting quickly to a major platform withdrawal. Users redirected their attention to other services, with shifts in both matchmaking goals and travel-related dating interests. Market observers expect these trends to influence user behavior on regional dating platforms for the foreseeable future.
Citations: Market observers and platform press releases tracked changes in user behavior and geographic distribution, while independent commentary from social channels provided additional context for how users perceived and adapted to Tinder’s exit.