Hinge dating app

Hinge is a prominent mobile dating application that distinguishes itself with the slogan "Designed to be deleted," focusing on fostering long-term relationships rather than casual hookups. The brand was founded in 2012 by Justin McLeod and initially launched in Washington, D.C. as a service that connected users through mutual Facebook friends. After a significant pivot and redesign in 2016 to remove "swiping" mechanics in favor of a prompt-based interface, the app saw explosive growth.

Technically, Hinge is a digital product developed and maintained by Hinge Inc., a company headquartered in New York City. As software, its "manufacturing" takes place through digital development primarily in the United States. In 2018, Match Group acquired a controlling interest in the company, eventually taking 100% ownership by early 2019. Since then, Hinge has remained a flagship brand within the Match Group portfolio, alongside other major platforms like Tinder and Match.com. In late 2025, founder Justin McLeod transitioned out of the CEO role to launch a new AI venture, passing leadership to Jackie Jantos as part of a long-term strategic growth plan.