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Last week, Match Group, the conglomerate that owns Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid, and others, announced its acquisition of the sapphic dating app HER.
HER’s founder, Robyn Exton, expressed pride in a LinkedIn post, noting that Match Group recognizes the value of the space HER has created and the strength of the sapphic community. She emphasized that this community is not niche but a global audience with a voice and a future. Exton also shared more about HER’s history on the app’s blog.
Spencer Rascoff, Match Group’s CEO, and future Tinder CEO, also shared his thoughts, emphasizing that Match Group’s role is to protect what makes HER unique while helping it grow. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Despite the positive statements from Rascoff and Exton, there has been some apprehension among lesbians and queer women online. In a Reddit thread on r/actuallesbians, users expressed unease about the acquisition, with comments suggesting distrust and a reluctance to continue using the app.
Some comments referred to concerns about the decline of online services and the homogenization of dating apps, partly due to AI features and Match Group’s influence. Others mentioned previous issues with Match Group.
In a statement to Mashable, Exton described the acquisition as a significant moment for HER, emphasizing that Match Group understands the power of queer platforms and is providing resources to enhance HER’s operations. She assured that HER’s core values and mission would remain unchanged.
While it’s too early to determine Match Group’s impact on HER, the sapphic community anticipates the developments with caution.
