Hinge CEO: The state of dating in 2024 (Justin McLeod) | Rapid Response
About Justin
- Founder & CEO of Hinge, a top global dating app since 2011
- Harvard Business School graduate
- Led Hinge to #1 dating app in 10+ markets as of 2025
- Pioneered innovations like profile prompts and AI-powered matchmaking
- Oversaw Hinge growth: 25% revenue increase & 20% user growth in past year (2025)
- Partnered with renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel on conversation prompts
| 20:19
Once upon a time, dating apps were distinct, each catering to a different demographic or lifestyle. Today they’ve blurred together, like an endless stream of swipes, deepening a trend of user burnout. In that struggling sea of love, Hinge stands out, continuing to grow and sustaining social relevance. Hinge’s founder and CEO Justin McLeod joins Rapid Response to explore the state of dating in 2024, how Hinge is experimenting with new features to target ghosting, and why he’s so excited about AI as a potential dating coach and as a tool for perfecting matchmaking. Plus, insider dating advice that applies to anyone seeking to improve their human connections.
Chapters
00:00 Introducing Hinge’s Justin McLeod
01:14 A brief history of dating apps & Hinge
04:06 How AI will impact Hinge
07:31 How AI won’t impact Hinge
09:46 Prioritizing users over fads
11:54 The power of word-of-mouth
13:52 Competing with other apps in the Match Group
15:27 Highlighting success stories internally
17:21 Advice for people who are using Hinge
