This week Eve and Brian talk about some 🌶️🌶️🌶️. What happens when dating apps evolve backwards how did covid change the game? In this episode of UX Murder Mystery, we investigate how Match, Tinder, and Bumble transformed from hopeful matchmakers into user-hostile addictive profit machines—and why OnlyFans and PornHub users report higher satisfaction than people actually trying to date.

Dating apps design for engagement, not relationships. We investigate why Bumble, Hinge, and Match use dark patterns to keep you swiping, how gamification ruins dating, and why the business model depends on you staying single. Discussed in this episode: - Why dating app algorithms prioritize retention over matches - Dark patterns that manipulate users into purchasing subscriptions - How swipe mechanics gamify human connection - Why successful matches hurt the business model - Design decisions that prioritize metrics over meaningful relationships - What ethical dating app design would actually look like Sources: App teardown analysis, user behavior studies, dating app revenue models, platform design patterns Perfect for: UX designers, product managers, dating app users, relationship seekers, mobile app designers, behavioral designers, singles navigating online dating

UX MURDER MYSTERY HOSTED BY Brian J. Crowley Eve Eden

EDITED BY Kelsey Smith

INTRO ANIMATION & LOGO DESIGN Brian J. Crowley

MUSIC BY Nicolas Lee

A JOINT PRODUCTION OF EVE | User Experience Design Agency and CrowleyUX | Where Systems Meet Stories

©2025 Brian J. Crowley and Eve Eden Email us at: questions@UXmurdermystery .com

Thank you for watching and or listening!

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts are commentary and speculation, not statements of fact. All discussions about real companies, individuals, or organizations are based on publicly available information, media reports, and personal opinions offered for the purpose of critique, education, and storytelling. We make no representations or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed. Nothing in this podcast should be interpreted as a factual assertion about the actions, motives, or intentions of any individual or corporate entity. Listeners should conduct their own research before drawing conclusions. The creators and guests of this podcast disclaim all liability for any loss, harm, or damages arising from reliance on any information or opinions presented. Names, characters, and events may occasionally be dramatized or fictionalized for illustrative purposes. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or to actual events, is purely coincidental.