Online dating site OkCupid is making a big move today in the mobile space—the service is adding location-based functionality to its Android and iOS mobile apps. For background, OkCupid singles tend to be younger, which is one of the reasons why IAC’s Match.com decided to buy the dating startup for $50 million earlier this year.
The use of mobile apps for dating and even meeting friends is definitely on the rise, and it seems that the future of this industry could lie in mobile platforms. Co-founder Sam Yagan agrees, and says that Grindr, a dating app for Gay men, helped pioneer this. But there’s still room left for innovation in other markets, he says.
Which is why OkCupid is bringing location to the mix with the latest version of its mobile apps. You can now broadcast if you are free, want others to join in plans and more. The bonus of OkCupid is that you can set up the feature to only send these broadcasts to people who are personality and interets matches for you in your location.
Other functionality includes the ability to chat with other people nearby, share photos, and more. If OkCupid finds a good match for you in their database for someone who lives nearby, the app will recommend the potential date. You’ll also be able to browse all your matches nearby.
There’s no doubt that the trend of matching people based on their interests and location is catching on. Andreessen Horowitz-backed LikeALittle is a startup that is also playing in this space. And it would make sense for more dating apps to start including location in their mobile offerings.