Tinder’s ‘Chemistry’ AI Feature Aims to Spark Smarter Matches — But at What Cost to Privacy?

Tinder is banking on artificial intelligence to bring back the spark in online dating. The world’s most popular dating app has begun testing a new AI-powered matchmaking feature called “Chemistry,” designed to create more meaningful connections by understanding users beyond their bios and selfies.

The Chemistry feature is currently being piloted in New Zealand and Australia and, according to Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff, is set to become a “major pillar of Tinder’s 2026 product experience.” The move comes as the company grapples with nine consecutive quarters of declining paid subscribers and seeks to reignite interest through smarter, more personalised experiences.

So, what makes Chemistry different? The new tool goes beyond swipes and short bios. It uses AI to analyse photos and responses to playful, interactive questions to form a deeper understanding of users’ personalities, lifestyles, and interests. For example, if someone’s gallery features surfing or hiking shots, the system might prioritise matches with similar outdoor hobbies.

According to Match Group, the goal is to foster “more compatible and meaningful” matches by letting AI move past surface-level judgments. It’s part of a growing trend among social media and dating platforms, where machine learning is being used to deepen personalisation and predict compatibility more accurately.

However, this innovation raises serious privacy concerns. The Chemistry feature requires access to users’ photo galleries, which could reveal much more than hobbies—such as personal relationships, locations, and environments. Experts warn that even when permissions are granted, the extent of data use, storage, and inference often remains opaque. The issue, they say, is not just about smarter dating but about how much of one’s private life is shared with an algorithm.

This shift toward AI-driven intimacy mirrors broader industry movements. Meta recently introduced tools capable of scanning private photos on users’ devices to suggest edits or generate new content. While these advances promise convenience and creativity, privacy advocates argue that such deep data access could come at too high a cost.

For Tinder, though, the gamble seems necessary. After years of stagnant growth, the company is reimagining nearly every aspect of its app. It has already introduced AI moderation systems that prompt users to reconsider sending potentially offensive messages and an AI photo selector that recommends the most engaging profile pictures. These updates are meant to enhance both safety and attraction — the twin pillars of digital dating.

The app’s new design features also include “dating modes,” double date options, advanced facial verification, and refreshed profile cards where bios appear directly on main photos. Conversation prompts have been added to make initiating chats less awkward and more genuine.

As Tinder continues its AI journey, Chemistry may become the ultimate test of user trust. Can algorithms truly capture human connection, or will they simply reduce romance to another data-driven prediction? For now, Tinder hopes its latest AI experiment will help users — and the company itself — rediscover that elusive spark.