Dating apps busting ‘ghosters’ who drive other users away
Dating apps are cracking down on so-called “ghosting” because love seekers ignoring potential partners could be putting off users.
The rise of “ghosting” — when people unexpectedly cease contact with someone — has been driven by people believing they have infinite options, according to experts.
Users of apps such as Tinder and Bumble have suddenly found matches disappearing without an explanation, making them feel disposable. In many cases, it drives them away from the world of online dating entirely.
But now Bumble is trying to eliminate the behaviour. Users of the app will be sent prompts if they haven’t replied to messages, urging them to either politely end the conversation or continue it.
It has asked users to take a “ghosting vow” before they use the app, as well as providing support and advice to those who have experienced the behaviour.
The dating app Badoo has implemented a similar strategy. If a user hasn’t replied to someone after three days, it will notify them and provide reply suggestions for those not interested, such as: “Hey I think you’re great, but I don’t see us as a match. Take care!”
Bumble has recruited an in-house “ghosting” expert, Kate Leaver, who said: “I asked for stories of ghosting recently on Twitter, and one woman said, ‘Which of the 73 times would you like to talk about?’ It’s disillusioning and yes, absolutely, I think it’s driving people to delete their dating apps.”
Having multiple options on apps, with thousands of potential partners, has amplified the problem, she said.