Tinder Picks is a feature this dating app is testing that might make it a better way to find people you’re compatible with emotionally, not just sexually.
Picks takes the user’s profile and shows them pictures of people who have similar jobs, educations, and interests.
The picked profiles are organized into categories, like Creative, Scholar, and Surfer. This allows the user to narrow the types of people they’re matched with.
“If you have your heart set on an adventurer (and all others need not apply) you can skim, swipe and match without wasting a moment,” says Tinder’s description for the new service.
This is a change from the dating app’s usual system of hooking people up based primarily on appearance. Users are shown images of prospective matches and they make a quick decision to swipe right if they approve or swipe left if they don’t.
That said, Tinder Picks still involves swiping. As with the regular version, only if both people swiped right will they be able to chat with each other in the app.
Tinder Picks is a Gold service
Sorry America, this isn’t for you yet. Versions of Picks are currently being tested exclusively on iOS in the UK, Germany, Brazil, France, Canada, Turkey, Mexico, Sweden, Russia, and the Netherlands. There’s no word on when a U.S. version will debut.
Those lucky enough to get to test the service can see their Picks, but can’t view the profiles or swipe on them without paying extra. That requires a Tinder Gold subscription ($4.99 a month), which itself requires a subscription to Tinder Plus ($9.99 a month).
“Picks delivers a personalized, premium user experience within Tinder Gold that puts a spotlight on unique characteristics that make our users stand out,” said Brian Norgard, Tinders Chief Product Officer.
