Thinking about trying a new dating app and wondering, “So, what is Hinge?”
In a nutshell, it's a popular location-based dating app that targets singles looking for a relationship on the “serious” end of the spectrum. But it has a number of features that distinguish it from apps like Tinder and Bumble.
From how Hinge works to what using it is like, get all the answers you need to decide if this dating app is the best one for you!
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Who Uses The Hinge Dating App?
The Hinge dating app’s core demographic is Gen Z and millennials. If that’s you and you’re looking for a long-term relationship, it could be a great option. Almost 50% of Hinge users are 30 to 49, and it's the third most downloaded dating app in the United States, behind Tinder and Bumble.
When Hinge originally launched in 2012, it was a swiping app similar to Tinder and it recommended profiles of friends of your friends.
But after a complete rebranding in 2016, Hinge is different. It shifted from a “swiping game” to a “relationship app” and abandoned both Tinder’s swipe right/left format and the ‘friends of friends’ approach to matchmaking.
Hinge CEO Justin McLeod explained one of the reasons for the change:
Most of the dating apps out there are games designed to keep you single, and swiping is the most iconic feature of these games. That’s why we’re not even calling the new Hinge a dating app. We think of it as a relationship app.
With a marketing campaign built around the concept of “designed to be deleted,” the focus is on sparking a relationship – so most singles probably don't consider Hinge a hookup app. If you're a casual dater seeking the same, you'll likely have better luck on OkCupid or Tinder.
In 2018, Hinge was acquired by Match Group, the parent company of other popular dating platforms like Match, Tinder, POF and OkCupid.
How Does Hinge Work?
There are 3 places you can see your potential matches on Hinge:
- Discover feed
- Standouts feed
- Likes you feed
Let's take a closer look at how each feed works.
Hinge Discover Feed
Check out the “Discover” section by tapping the H icon at the bottom of the screen:
You’ll scroll through each profile one at a time, since Hinge requires you to either “like” or “pass” before you can see your next suggested match.
Each day, you'll usually also get one Most Compatible match. What is Hinge Most Compatible? It's a feature that delivers a match the app's algorithm has deemed not only suitable for you, but who is also looking for someone like you.
As McLeod explained in an interview,
We're really trying to find the people that you're going to like who are also going to like you back and have that equal or greater chance of actually liking you back.
These Most Compatible matches show up at the top of your Discover section.
Hinge makes it easy to start a conversation by allowing you to “like” specific content within someone’s profile, whether that’s one of their prompt answers or photos.
Simply tap the heart displayed by that piece of content:
Then you’ll get the opportunity to send a comment or a rose along with your like:
Free members can “like” up to 10 profiles each day.
If you’re not interested in a suggested match, tap the X and the next one will pop up.
Hinge Standouts Feed
Hinge also populates a special Standouts feed for you to browse. Standouts are “great prompts” written by users Hinge thinks you’ll find compatible.
To browse your Standouts feed, tap the star icon at the bottom of the screen:
The Standouts algorithm considers profiles you’ve previously liked and commented on in your Discovery feed to populate the Standouts feed.
The selection of 10 or so Standout prompts is refreshed daily.
Tapping on the prompt brings up that user’s profile, and you can view the rest of it. To connect with that user, tap the “rose” icon:
You can send one free rose each week on Hinge, which you’ll get every Sunday.
Roses are available as an ala carte purchase as well. To buy roses to send on Hinge, go to your Standouts feed and tap the “Roses” button in the upper right corner.
Roses on Hinge cost $3.33 each (but you have to buy 3 at a time), or you can purchase them in greater quantities for a discount:
Sending a rose gives your profile priority placement in your potential match's feed. Unlike your weekly free rose, purchased roses never expire.
Hinge Likes You Feed
To see who “liked” your profile, tap the heart icon at the bottom of the screen:
Free members have to scroll through each person’s profile one at a time, while premium subscribers can access a grid view and see them all at once.
Hinge also shows you which part of your profile they “liked” or commented on:
Tap the X to pass or the conversation icon to return the like. You have the opportunity to include a comment as well:
Simply tap the “Match With” bar, and a connection has been made! Now you can freely exchange messages with that match.
Hinge Match Feed
Access your active conversations by tapping the conversation icon at the bottom of the screen:
Hinge has a “your turn” feature that reminds you when it’s your turn to respond, which can be helpful when you have a lot of conversations in the works:
Hinge’s “Date From Home” feature also makes it easy to transition to a phone or video chat with your match.
From the messaging screen with your match, tap “Date From Home” then tap “Ready”:
When your match does the same, Hinge will notify you both that there’s mutual interest in moving the conversation off the app.
You can change your answer at any time by tapping “Date From Home” and “Change Answer.”
Video Prompts On Hinge
During a video chat within the Hinge app, both people can see Hinge’s Video Prompt icon in the screen corner. Hinge created 8 different themes, each containing a set of 5 prompt cards that will appear on the screen to both participants.
The user who taps the Video Prompt icon can choose the conversation theme and advance the prompt cards one at a time.
Before hopping on a video call with a match, make sure to check out these great video dating tips!
Is Hinge Free?
Yes, Hinge is a free dating app. However they do offer a premium subscription called Hinge Preferred.
Check out this rundown of what you can do for free, and what benefits you get with a premium membership.
With a free Hinge membership, you can:
- “Like” up to 10 profiles a day
- See who “Liked” your profile (one profile at a time)
- Filter your matches using the basic preferences
With a Hinge Preferred membership, you can:
- Send unlimited “Likes”
- See everyone who has already “Liked” your profile in a convenient grid view
- Use the advanced preferences filters
- Get answers to your dating questions from a panel of Hinge experts
A Hinge Preferred membership costs $29.99 for a single month (price may vary slightly depending on your age and location). Committing to 3 or 6 months drops the monthly price to around $19.99 or $14.99.
If you’re not sure upgrading Hinge is worth it, check out this Hinge Preferred review.
Can You Use Hinge Without Facebook?
Yes, Hinge is a dating app you can use if you don’t have Facebook. There are two ways to create a Hinge account – through Facebook or using your mobile phone number.
But keep in mind those are two separate methods of logging in – if you create an account by doing both, you won’t be able to merge them later.
If you create an account using your mobile number to authenticate, you’ll still have the option of importing information from Facebook. You can then disconnect Facebook from your Hinge profile.
And if you create your account using Facebook, but want to disconnect from that social platform, it’s easy to do.
Here is how to disconnect Hinge from Facebook:
- Go the “Settings” screen by tapping the person icon in the lower right corner
- Tap “Account”
- Scroll down to “Connected Accounts”
- Toggle off “Facebook”
One caveat – you must add your mobile number to your Hinge profile in order to disconnect it from Facebook.
Verifying via your cell number is simple:
- Go to the “Settings” screen
- Tap “Account”
- Tap “add mobile number”
- Input your number
- Provide the verification code that the app will text you
Make sure “notifications” are turned on, or you won’t receive the code.
To turn “notifications” on in Hinge, follow these steps:
- Go to the “Settings” screen
- Tap “Account”
- Toggle on “push notifications”
- Adjust the settings from within your device as needed
How To Get Started On Hinge
Download The App
You can download the Hinge app for iOS or Android:
Decide if you want to create an account via your Facebook profile or your mobile number. It's a smartphone dating app – Hinge does not have a computer login option.
One factor to consider is Hinge’s requirement that new users have a minimum of 60 Facebook friends to create an account via Facebook, as part of their effort to discourage spammers and catfishers. That rule isn’t retroactive – existing users who created their profile via Facebook are exempt from the “friends” requirement.
Next, it’s time to provide your information. Some information will populate from Facebook, or you’ll have to input it if you used your mobile number.
The information is par for the course on dating apps – your name, age, location, height, ethnicity, religious beliefs, etc.
However, on Hinge the information is divided into 3 sections:
- Virtues
- Vitals
- Vices
You can choose which information you want displayed or hidden by tapping on that entry, then toggling the visibility on or off:
In the case of your name, you have the option to show both your first and your last name if you want.
Create Your Hinge Profile
Next, you’ll choose 3 “Prompts” to answer from a list of 80+. Each prompt has a character limit of 150. The subjects range from “Most embarrassing song on my Spotify” to “A life goal of mine.”
Some Hinge questions will make you seem like a more attractive catch than others, so make sure to check out these great Hinge answer examples!
There’s room to add 6 photos or short videos to your Hinge profile, and you’re required to fill all the slots if you want to be able to “like” profiles. Choose your content wisely – remember singles can “like” any one of them to initiate a message exchange.
Showcase your interesting hobbies, adorable pets, cool places you’ve visited – anything that will make someone intrigued and want to know you better. And where you look your best, of course.
Not sure how to choose your best photos? Check out these expert Hinge photo tips!
Set Your Hinge Match Criteria
Next, it’s time to set your preferences – i.e. what type of people you’re looking to meet.
Free members can set these preferences:
- Age Range
- Maximum Distance
- Ethnicity
- Religion
Hinge also allows you to specify whether or not that preference is a “dealbreaker,” and will filter your suggested matches accordingly.
Hinge Preferred members can set these additional preferences:
- Height
- Children
- Family Plans
- Education
- Politics
- Drinking
- Smoking
- Marijuana
- Drugs
Once you’ve got your preferences set up, you’re ready to start using Hinge!
How To Meet The Best Singles On Hinge – The Easy Way!
Getting high-quality matches on dating apps isn’t a walk in the park – you have to put some serious effort into how you present yourself.
From your photos to your profile, you need to market yourself effectively and attractively – especially on a “serious” relationship app like Hinge.
It’s a brand new skill set for most people, so a little research is in order to make sure you meeting the kind of people you actually want to date, much less be in a committed relationship with.
Or you can meet incredible singles without having to put all the effort in. VIDA’s dating experts are skilled in the art of profile and message writing, and we even have image editors who specialize in natural looking dating photos.
VIDA has a team in place to handle everything on Hinge (or any other dating app or site) from start to finish – all you do is go on dates with intriguing people who fit your “ideal partner” criteria!
It really is that easy – click here to find out how.
