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How Hinge works cannot necessarily be lumped together with all other dating apps. That’s because the app aims to create serious relationships.
How Hinge works: The basics
Hinge has been on the market as a dating app since 2012, but it has only been available in Germany since 2022. It stands out from competitors such as Tinder and Bumble with its slogan “Designed to be deleted.”
Hinge makes it clear that the app is designed to foster long-term, meaningful relationships, not just quick matches and one-night stands.
- Unlike other apps, Hinge places great importance on personality and shared interests in order to bring people together who are truly compatible.
- Hinge is based on a simple principle: instead of just swiping through photos, users interact with other people’s profiles by liking or commenting on specific details. This is reminiscent of various social media platforms.
- After registering, users create their own profile with at least six required photos, personal information, and answers to three so-called “prompts” – questions or statements that are intended to serve as icebreakers. These include statements such as “My most embarrassing moment was…” or “The best advice I ever received was…”.
- Based on your information and preferences, Hinge suggests potential matches. The app uses an algorithm that prioritizes people with similar interests or compatible personalities.
- Then it’s up to you and your ability to interact: Users can like or comment on certain parts of a profile, such as a photo or a response. This feature encourages more personalized interaction. If the other person likes or replies back, a match is created and the chat is unlocked.
- Once matched, those looking to date can chat with each other. The idea here is to build the conversation on personal answers or shared interests.
- Hinge is aimed at people who are seriously looking for a relationship. Compared to fast-paced dating apps like Tinder, Hinge aims to bring more depth to the process of getting to know someone. The target audience seems to be primarily between the ages of 18 and 35.
These are special features of Hinge
Like other dating apps, Hinge aims to bring people together who want to get to know each other. But if you take a closer look, Hinge differs from other dating apps in a number of very specific ways:
- Prompts: Instead of just looking at photos, users get insights into a person’s personality. The humorous, thoughtful, or creative answers are designed to help with this. That’s why at least three of the icebreaker questions are mandatory. Audio and video messages are also possible.
- “Most Compatible” feature: Every day, Hinge suggests a profile that the algorithm thinks is a particularly good match for you.Under “Standouts,” you’ll find other particularly compatible profiles, but you can also meet interesting people in the usual Discover feed.
- Detailed profiles: People looking to date not only fill out basic information, but also share their opinions, preferences, or anecdotes. If you’re honest, there will be fewer unpleasant surprises if you ever decide to meet in person.
- No swipe function: Unlike apps such as Tinder, there is no swiping, but rather targeted interaction with specific profile sections, for example, sending a rose or a like. You can click away suggestions you don’t like using the appropriate cross – or even reverse a hasty decision.
- The first step: With Hinge, anyone can take the first step and write to the other person. Incidentally, the dating app is designed for a wide range of gender identities and preferences – not just male and female.
These are the costs you will incur with Hinge
In fact, you can sign up for Hinge for free with your cell phone number or email address and use the app within certain limits without paying any money.
But of course, there are also paid premium offers, for example, to give out an unlimited number of likes per day or filter search criteria such as family preferences and height. You can choose between Hinge+ and HingeX.
- Hinge+, which allows you to send more likes, costs €25 for one month, €50 for three months, and €75 for six months. It also allows you to use additional settings and filter functions more specifically.
- These special features are also included in HingeX. In addition, this premium version allows you to send a so-called Premium Like, which means your favorite dating partner will be displayed before everyone else. Other potential matches are also tailored even more precisely to your preferences.
- Of course, this also costs more: HingeX costs €45 for one month, €85 for three months, and €125 for six months.
