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Dating Apps: “Finding Soulmate” (Type 4) vs. “Fun Dates” (Type 7)

Hessam Alemian
calendar_today 2025-12-31
Dating Apps: "Finding Soulmate" (Type 4) vs. "Fun Dates" (Type 7)

Ever swiped left on a dating app and thought, “Wait, what am I even doing here?” You’re not alone! Dating apps aren’t just about finding people; they’re also about finding what you’re looking for. And guess what? The apps themselves are designed to help you with that, thanks to clever marketing.

The entire dating industry marketing strategy is super smart. It splits us into different camps. Today, we’re diving into two big ones: the “Soulmate Seekers” and the “Fun Dates” crowd.

The Big Divide: What Are We Really Looking For?

Think about your friends. Some are on apps hoping to find “the one,” someone to build a future with. Others are just looking for a good time, new experiences, or to meet interesting people without too much pressure. Dating apps know this!

This big difference shapes how dating apps present themselves. They use specific language and features to attract you based on your goals. It’s all part of the dating industry marketing game.

Type 4: The “Soulmate” Seekers

These apps are for those with a clear goal: a serious, long-term relationship. They’re often called the “Type 4” apps, focusing on deep connections and compatibility.

How do they market themselves? They talk about algorithms, personality tests, and finding your “perfect match.” They want you to feel like they’re doing the hard work for you.

Key Marketing Strategies for Type 4 Apps:

  • Compatibility Focus: They highlight how their system finds people who truly match your values and lifestyle. Think long surveys and detailed profiles.
  • Success Stories: You’ll often see testimonials about couples who got married after meeting on their app. This builds trust and hope.
  • Serious Tone: Their advertising often uses warm colors, images of happy couples, and phrases like “find lasting love” or “your journey to marriage starts here.”
  • Examples: Apps like eHarmony and Match.com are classic Type 4 platforms. They invest heavily in showing you they mean business when it comes to relationships.

They are selling a dream of stability and a shared future. Their whole dating industry marketing effort points to a serious commitment.

Type 7: The “Fun Dates” Vibe

On the flip side, we have “Type 7” apps. These are for people who want something more casual. Maybe they’re new to a city, just looking to meet new friends, or not ready for anything super serious.

These apps market themselves as easy, exciting, and full of possibilities. They emphasize quantity and quick connections, often with less pressure.

Key Marketing Strategies for Type 7 Apps:

  • Simplicity and Speed: Their main message is that meeting people is fun and straightforward. Think swiping left or right.
  • Social Focus: They often promote meeting up for coffee, drinks, or just having a good time. The focus is less on future plans and more on present enjoyment.
  • Youthful Energy: Their ads are usually bright, energetic, and feature individuals having fun. Phrases like “meet new people” or “your next adventure” are common.
  • Examples: Tinder and Bumble are prime examples of Type 7 apps. They make it easy to browse, connect, and arrange dates without a huge commitment upfront.

Their dating industry marketing is all about making connections feel light, breezy, and exciting, without the heavy burden of “soulmate searching.”

It’s All in the Marketing, Baby!

The genius of dating industry marketing is how they use these two different approaches to attract users. They understand that not everyone wants the same thing from a dating app. So, they tailor their message to different needs.

From the colors in their ads to the features they highlight, every choice is made to attract a specific type of user. It’s about setting expectations right from the start. That’s why understanding their marketing helps you choose the right app for *you*.

Pro Tip: Before you download, check out an app’s website or social media ads. What kind of language do they use? What images do they show? This will give you a big clue about their main goal and what kind of connections they encourage.

The Power of Perception

This clever dating industry marketing actually shapes how we perceive an app. If an app constantly talks about “marriage” and “compatibility,” you’ll probably take it more seriously. If it shows people laughing and having casual fun, you’ll approach it differently.

Your own goals often align with an app’s marketing, making the experience smoother. When the marketing matches your intentions, you’re more likely to have a good time and potentially find what you’re looking for.

So, next time you’re browsing dating apps, remember that each one has a specific “personality” or goal, carefully crafted by its marketing team. Understanding this can save you time and help you find connections that truly fit what you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do dating apps decide if I’m a “Soulmate Seeker” or “Fun Dates” type?

Dating apps don’t label you directly. Instead, their marketing attracts you based on your own preferences. If you’re looking for serious relationships, you’ll likely be drawn to apps like eHarmony. If you prefer casual connections, apps like Tinder will catch your eye. It’s about how the app positions itself.

Can I use a “Fun Dates” app to find a serious relationship?

Absolutely! While an app’s marketing might lean towards “fun dates,” many people find serious relationships on platforms like Tinder or Bumble. The app’s marketing sets an initial tone, but your personal intentions and communication with matches are what truly matter.

What is the main goal of “dating industry marketing”?

The main goal of dating industry marketing is to attract and retain users by clearly communicating what kind of connections their platform offers. They want to match user expectations with their app’s features and community, whether that’s for long-term love or casual encounters.

Are there dating apps that cater to both “Type 4” and “Type 7” users?

Some apps try to offer a broader appeal, but often lean one way or another. For example, Hinge markets itself as “designed to be deleted,” suggesting a serious goal, but also allows for casual dating. Most apps specialize to create a clearer user experience.

How does my profile affect how I’m perceived on an app?

Your profile is key! It’s your personal marketing. Whether you’re on a “Soulmate” or “Fun Dates” app, your photos, bio, and prompts tell others what you’re looking for. Make sure your profile clearly shows your intentions to attract the right people.

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Hessam Alemian

I’m Hessam Alemian, a digital entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience in the trenches of online business. I combine my background in coding and business strategy with Enneagram psychology to create smarter, personalized web experiences. I’m here to show you how to optimize your site for the humans behind the screens.

Discussion

63

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  • Matteo • 2025-12-31

    The article captures the segmentation well, but I’m curious about the data. Do ‘Soulmate’ apps actually have higher retention rates, or do they lose users faster because the ‘goal’ is to leave the app once you find someone?

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2025-12-31

      Great observation, Matteo. ‘Type 4’ apps often pivot their business model toward high-ticket subscriptions or success-based referrals to offset the ‘churn’ that comes from successful matching.

  • Sarah • 2025-12-31

    I love how you broke this down! It makes so much sense why I feel overwhelmed by some apps and totally at home on others. It’s all about the vibe they curate.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2025-12-31

      Exactly, Sarah. That ‘vibe’ is a carefully constructed neuromarketing environment designed to lower your cognitive load when you’re in the right place.

  • Lars • 2025-12-31

    You mentioned personality tests for Type 4 seekers. From a conversion standpoint, isn’t that a lot of friction? Why would an app want to make the sign-up process longer?

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-01

      In this niche, Lars, friction acts as a filter. By making the process harder, the app increases the ‘perceived value’ and ensures only serious users remain, which is the core USP for a soulmate-focused brand.

  • Elena • 2026-01-01

    The ‘Fun Dates’ apps are so much more vibrant. The colors, the fast swiping—it feels like a game. Are they using dopamine loops to keep us addicted to the ‘Type 7’ experience?

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-01

      Spot on, Elena. The ‘Type 7’ marketing strategy leans heavily into variable reward schedules—the same psychology found in gaming—to maximize engagement time.

  • Wei • 2026-01-01

    How do these apps handle the overlap? I feel like most people want a bit of both. Is there a ‘Type 9’ approach that balances the two without being confusing?

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-01

      That’s the ‘Golden Fleece’ of dating marketing, Wei. Most apps try to bridge the gap using ‘Intent Tags’ (e.g., ‘Looking for long-term, open to short’), which helps segment the user experience dynamically.

  • Alistair • 2026-01-01

    The article is missing a deep dive into the copy. The ‘Type 4’ apps use words like ‘meaningful’ and ‘intentional,’ while the others use ‘spontaneous’ and ‘discovery.’ The linguistic framing is the real hero here.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-02

      Excellent point, Alistair. Semantic framing is vital. Choosing ‘intentional’ over ‘serious’ changes the emotional resonance for the user significantly.

  • Fatima • 2026-01-02

    This makes me a bit skeptical. If the marketing is so ‘smart’ at splitting us into camps, aren’t they just manipulating our loneliness for profit? What about the ethics of these algorithms?

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-02

      Ethics in neuromarketing is a critical conversation, Fatima. We believe transparency in how these mental models are used is the first step toward a fairer user experience.

  • Klaus • 2026-01-02

    You have a typo in the second paragraph (‘industry marketing strategy is super smart’). Also, you didn’t define exactly what ‘Type 4’ refers to in a broader psychological context. Is this based on Enneagram or a proprietary framework?

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-02

      Thanks for the catch, Klaus. We use the Enneagram as a lens to understand user personas, as it aligns closely with the emotional drivers used in high-conversion copy.

  • Chloe • 2026-01-03

    This is brilliant! Imagine if we could toggle the app interface based on our mood—’Soulmate Mode’ on Mondays and ‘Fun Mode’ on Fridays. The UI could change colors and everything!

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-03

      That’s a visionary UX idea, Chloe. Dynamic UI based on user state is a huge trend in personalization that we expect to see more of.

  • Diego • 2026-01-03

    Does the ‘Soulmate’ marketing actually work for men as well as it does for women? I feel like the demographics react differently to ‘Type 4’ messaging.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-03

      Data suggests that while the ‘goal’ might be the same, the ‘pain points’ addressed in the marketing copy often differ across genders to maximize conversion.

  • Sanjay • 2026-01-03

    Which strategy leads to a higher conversion to a paid tier? I’d bet the ‘Soulmate’ crowd is more willing to pay for ‘guaranteed’ results.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-04

      Correct, Sanjay. The ‘Soulmate’ persona typically has a higher ‘Willingness to Pay’ because the perceived cost of failure (remaining single) is much higher for them.

  • Luca • 2026-01-04

    It’s all just branding. Under the hood, the code is almost identical. It’s fascinating how much power a few choice words and a different color palette have over our behavior.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-04

      Precisely, Luca. That is the core of neuromarketing—shaping the perception of the utility through psychological triggers.

  • Ingrid • 2026-01-04

    I’d like to see a part two of this post focused on the onboarding screens. How do they use images to reinforce these types?

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-04

      We’re actually working on that, Ingrid! Visual cues—like soft focus for Type 4 and high-action shots for Type 7—play a massive role.

  • Ahmed • 2026-01-04

    What happens when an app tries to do both? Tinder started as ‘Fun’ but now tries to market ‘Relationships.’ Does that dilute the brand?

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-04

      It’s a huge risk, Ahmed. Brand dilution happens when the ‘mental model’ of the user becomes confused. Tinder is currently fighting that ‘hookup’ stigma through heavy re-branding.

  • Yuki • 2026-01-04

    Interesting, but I think people are more complex. I might start as a ‘seeker’ and turn into a ‘fun’ user after a few bad dates. Marketing can’t always predict human frustration.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-04

      Very true, Yuki. Modern apps use ‘behavioral triggers’ to detect that shift and might actually change the profiles you see to match your new pattern.

  • Marcus • 2026-01-04

    Show me the proof. Where are the heatmaps or conversion stats comparing these two styles? Otherwise, it’s just theory.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-04

      We’ll be releasing a case study next month featuring eye-tracking data on these two specific app archetypes, Marcus. Stay tuned.

  • Nina • 2026-01-05

    I just want an app that feels honest. All this ‘Type 4’ and ‘Type 7’ stuff feels like we’re being put in boxes before we even say hello.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-05

      We hear you, Nina. The challenge for marketers is balancing ‘simplicity’ (boxes) with ‘authenticity’ (humanity) to create a usable product.

  • Priya • 2026-01-05

    Great post! It’s such a relief to understand that my frustration isn’t with dating itself, but with the marketing mismatch of the apps I was using.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-05

      That is a huge realization, Priya. Aligning your personal goals with the ‘marketed intent’ of the platform is the first step to a better experience.

  • Sophie • 2026-01-05

    The article seems to cut off right at the end after ‘finding’. I’d appreciate a more detailed list of the specific personality tests these ‘Type 4’ apps use to ensure their matching criteria are actually accurate.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-05

      Great catch, Sophie. We’re updating the post to include the specific frameworks like the Big Five and Myers-Briggs often utilized in these algorithms.

  • Luca • 2026-01-05

    From a neuromarketing perspective, what is the average LTV (Lifetime Value) difference between these two segments? It seems ‘Soulmate Seekers’ would churn faster once successful, while ‘Fun Dates’ might provide more recurring revenue.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-05

      You’ve hit on a key industry tension, Luca. Type 4 apps often struggle with ‘planned obsolescence,’ while Type 7 apps rely on high engagement and long-term retention.

  • Sarah • 2026-01-05

    This is so helpful! It really helps me understand why I feel so much more comfortable on certain apps than others. It’s nice to know the marketing is actually designed to make us feel understood.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-05

      Exactly, Sarah! Effective segmentation is all about making the user feel like the platform was built specifically for their needs.

  • Wei • 2026-01-05

    Which of these two segments is currently seeing the highest conversion rates for premium subscriptions? If I’m building a dating MVP, I’d want to know which audience is more willing to pay for results.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-05

      Wei, Type 4 ‘Soulmate’ seekers generally show a higher willingness to pay for ‘guaranteed’ results and advanced filters, as their emotional investment is higher.

  • Elena • 2026-01-05

    The branding for Type 4 apps always feels so much more authentic and intimate. They use deeper colors and storytelling, whereas the Type 7 apps feel almost too corporate and ‘gamified’ for me.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-05

      That’s a keen observation of the visual cues, Elena. Color psychology plays a massive role in establishing that sense of ‘depth’ vs. ‘excitement’.

  • Ahmed • 2026-01-05

    I’m skeptical about the Type 4 algorithms. Is there any actual proof that these ‘personality tests’ lead to better matches, or is it just a clever marketing hook to build trust?

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-05

      It’s a bit of both, Ahmed. While the data helps, the primary neuromarketing function is to increase ‘user buy-in’—people value the matches more because they’ve invested effort into the test.

  • Mateo • 2026-01-05

    This is a cool breakdown! You guys should definitely do a follow-up on the ‘Niche’ apps next—like those for specific hobbies or diets. That’s where the real marketing magic is!

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-05

      Love that suggestion, Mateo! Niche segmentation is definitely on our content roadmap for next month.

  • Lars • 2026-01-05

    I don’t buy the divide. Most people switch between these ‘types’ depending on their mood or the day of the week. Apps that try to pigeonhole users into one category are missing the mark.

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-05

      A fair point, Lars. Fluidity is a challenge for any segmentation strategy, which is why some apps are now trying to offer ‘modes’ to capture both mindsets.

  • Chloe • 2026-01-05

    I like how simple this makes it to understand. It’s nice to see why the different apps look the way they do.

  • Hiro • 2026-01-05

    Can you provide the specific neuromarketing studies that correlate ‘personality test’ length with user trust levels? I’m curious if there’s a point of diminishing returns in the onboarding flow.

  • Inaya • 2026-01-05

    My concern with the Type 4 marketing is the security aspect. When apps ask for such deep personal data to ‘find a soulmate,’ how are they protecting that from being used for more than just marketing?

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-05

      A very valid concern, Inaya. Trust is the foundation of the Type 4 model, so data privacy is often their biggest selling point—and their biggest risk.

  • Javier • 2026-01-05

    The ‘Fun Dates’ apps (Type 7) are winning on UX/UI though. The swiping mechanic is a dopamine goldmine. Are Type 4 apps trying to copy that, or are they staying away from it to remain ‘serious’?

    • PersonaLanding Team • 2026-01-05

      Javier, most Type 4 apps actually intentionally slow down the UX to create ‘friction’ that feels like ‘intention,’ moving away from the rapid-fire dopamine hits of Type 7.