Hinge recently launched an AI tool called Prompt Feedback that tells users if they need to work harder on their responses to the app’s signature prompts. 

The tool is designed to “evaluate a dater’s Prompt answers and generate feedback,” according to a statement from Hinge. Hinge founder and CEO Justin McLeod said the company is “intentionally leveraging AI to provide personalized coaching during a key moment for daters – making a great first impression on their profiles.” 

Hinge was the first major dating app to include prompts in 2016, and how you answer them can make or break your experience on the app. Prompts offer you the chance to make an impression on potential matches as you introduce yourself.

But coming up with a winning prompt response isn’t as easy as it sounds. 

In a survey with Hinge users, 63% of daters on the app said they struggle to figure out what to include on their profile, and over the years generic, recycled responses have become clichés. What should be a snapshot of your personality is often just a missed opportunity that leaves users discouraged with their lack of matches. Hinge believes this phenomenon is heavily contributing to dating fatigue and hopes the new AI tool will help turn things around.

Marketing oneself online is a skill that many have yet to master, and apart from Googling “best Hinge opening lines,” people have few outlets to turn to for guidance. The concept is now so heavily searched you’ll find TikToks, Reels, Reddit discussions, and articles all offering tips to help singles get the creative juices flowing. 

The main goal of Prompt Feedback is to steer users toward a response that has a higher likelihood of attracting a match, something that a crowdsourced pick-up line may fail to do effectively. Justin McLeod explained this by saying “For years, our research team has identified what helps people discover compatibility that leads to dates, and now daters can apply these insights through specific, tailored advice.”

AI Tools Are Gaining Popularity On The Dating Scene

In the broader scope, Prompt Feedback is one of many in a surge of AI tools making their way onto the dating industry’s landscape, and as a result the use of AI in dating apps has been hotly debated as of late. 

An important distinction between Hinge’s feedback tool and something like ChatGPT is that Prompt Feedback doesn’t tell the dater exactly what to say, or even suggest language. But even if it did, is using AI to help you market yourself online really something we should be turned off by? 

While many feel the notion of using artificial intelligence to generate a conversation is inauthentic, and downright dishonest, there is more to consider in the bigger picture. 

I’m certainly no stranger to outsourcing help when sending a high-stakes message. I can’t count the number of times I’ve sent a screenshot to the group chat asking “How should I respond?” Still, that didn’t stop me from initially turning my nose up at the idea of using AI to help write messages, bios, and other text-based prompts on dating apps. 

Kimberly Hill, a dating and relationship coach for men, has a client base of successful, educated men, many of whom are dating after divorce. Hill said they tend to make a lot of mistakes online, telling her that if they could just get on the date, they could more genuinely show who they really are. 

So, does that mean there are actually genuinely good matches hidden behind bad prompt responses and weak dating profiles? 

It’s Time To Embrace AI (With A Few Conditions)

“The reality is, there’s no escaping AI, especially when it comes to dating apps. Rather than resisting it, it’s time to embrace it — but with a focus on using it in a way that aligns with your authentic self.”

She added, “AI should be seen as a tool for generating ideas or suggestions, not as something to depend on for building connection and communication.”

And Hill brings up one important caveat: AI will only get you so far. “When you’re on a first date with a woman, you won’t have AI feeding you lines through an earpiece. You’ll need to show up authentically and create a meaningful connection on your own.” 

She suggests focusing on being present and genuine in your interactions — it’s the only way to build lasting chemistry, which has to be the main goal behind The Dating App Designed To Be Deleted®, doesn’t it?