Match Group Debuts Archer, a New Face-First Gay Dating App for Men
It’s been almost one year since Match Group announced the launch of Archer, the online dating giant’s first app specifically designed for gay, bi, and queer men. Since rolling out in New York last June, Archer has gained significant traction, with over 685,000 downloads estimated by market intelligence firm Sensor Tower. The app completed its U.S. rollout this past October.
A Notable Achievement Amidst Industry Challenges
Match and other online dating companies have been facing a downturn, as evident from Match’s latest earnings report showing a decline in paying users on Tinder, the company’s flagship app and one of the top dating platforms on the market. However, Archer’s growth is certainly notable, especially considering its relatively short time in the market.
Archer’s Unique Approach to Gay Online Dating
Unlike its rivals, who have been accused of fostering a toxic hookup culture, Archer has a fresh take on gay online dating and aims to provide a safe space for users. The app incorporates various safety measures to prevent unwanted behavior, such as integrating AI into its chat feature to auto-blur potential nudity. Users can still send explicit content through private photo albums.
Selfie Verification: A Key Feature in Archer
"We recognize that there is bad behavior on gay dating apps," said Michael Kaye, Director of Brand Marketing and Communications at Archer, in an interview with TechCrunch. "There’s a lot of body shaming, and there’s a lot of racism. And we’re hoping that by requiring every person to verify [their selfie], this will help contribute to a lower rate of bad behavior because there’s really nothing to hide behind."
Separating Casual and Serious Daters
Archer also separates casual and serious daters, providing them with two different layouts to choose from: Dating Mode, a linear layout for users to like one match at a time, and Hookup Mode, where users can see multiple profiles at once that feature their activity status and whether they’re looking for something casual.
Social Features that Set Archer Apart
According to the company’s findings, 66% of its users are looking for dates and relationships, and 49% are on Archer for dates and hookups. Additionally, Archer has an array of social features that make it stand out, including:
- The ability to follow users
- Add interest tags (e.g., Harry Potter, Taylor Swift, Peloton) to their profiles
- Emoji Reactions, where users can react to a profile with a fun emoji to help break the ice and start a conversation
Future Developments and Priorities
In hopes of attracting more users and staying on its upward trajectory, Archer plans to release new features this summer and fall. Knowing that 74% of Archer users are looking for friendships, Kaye revealed that the company is prioritizing community-building features, such as:
- The ability to find users by entering tags in the search bar
- Testing other capabilities that further help people connect with others who have shared interests and engage in offline activities
AI Integrations: A Key Focus Area
Archer is working on adding a Stories feature to the app, which would make it more like Instagram. Kaye also teased the exploration of AI integrations, stating that the company is "looking into various ways to leverage AI to improve user experience and safety."
A New Era in Online Dating
The launch of Archer marks an exciting new era in online dating for gay, bi, and queer men. With its unique approach to safety and community-building features, the app has the potential to revolutionize the way people connect with each other.
What’s Next for Archer?
As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Archer adapts and grows. Will the app continue to attract new users and maintain its momentum? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Archer has already made a significant impact in the online dating industry.
Archer’s Key Features
- Selfie verification for added safety
- Two separate layouts for casual and serious daters (Dating Mode and Hookup Mode)
- Social features like following users and adding interest tags to profiles
- Emoji Reactions to help break the ice and start conversations
- Plans to release new features this summer and fall, prioritizing community-building features
Archer’s Future Focus Areas
- AI integrations to improve user experience and safety
- Stories feature similar to Instagram
- Exploring ways to leverage AI to further connect users with shared interests and offline activities
