Tinder, Bumble, other dating apps to offer bonus features to vaccinated users in UK

The dating apps will offer special stickers, badges and bonus features for users who say they have taken the coronavirus jab. Representative picture

In a bid to encourage more and more young people to get the COVID-19 vaccine in the UK, popular dating apps have launched a campaign encouraging British users to post "I got my shot" on their profiles.

In partnership with the UK government, leading dating apps including Tinder, Match, Hinge, Bumble, Badoo, Plenty of Fish, OurTime and Muzmatch have teamed up with the government to encourage their users to get COVID-19 vaccination through the British government's "Every vaccination gives us hope" campaign.

The apps will also offer special stickers, badges and bonus features for users who say they have taken the coronavirus jab, the Department of Health said.

"Features will include vaccination badges and stickers to display on dating profiles, free “Super Likes” and other boost-type features. Users will also start seeing adverts and banners for the ‘every vaccination gives us hope’ campaign," it said in a statement.

This partnership comes at a time when UK vaccine rollout reaches the under-30s, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said he was "thrilled that we are partnering up with dating apps to boost vaccine uptake across the country".

The Department of Health even suggested that users could boost their romantic chances by telling potential dates they are vaccinated. Citing a YouGov poll, it said that 28 percent of adults would not date someone who was unvaccinated and 31 percent would prefer not to.

Take a look at COVID-19 vaccine campaigns across dating platforms in the UK:

Tinder: Members will be able to add a variety of stickers to their profile including “I’m Vaccinated” or “Vaccines Save Lives,” with Tinder giving those who support the campaign a free “Super Like” to help them stand out among potential matches.

Tinder will also launch a “Vaccine Center” with a suite of resources to educate and connect members with their nearest vaccination site.

Match & Ourtime: Members will be able to add a new badge to their profile to display their vaccine status, with those who participate in the campaign receiving a free “Boost” to help them stand out on the app. Match’s AI-enabled Dating Coach, Lara, will also encourage Match users to get their vaccination badge.

OkCupid: Users will be able to add an “I’m Vaccinated” profile badge and be featured within OkCupid’s “Vaccinated” stack, its new matching system that lets users search by select categories on the app. Those who participate will also receive a free “Boost.”

Hinge: Users who participate in their vaccination campaign will get a free “Rose,” which indicates to other users that they’re excited to get to know them.

Plenty of Fish: Members will be able to add an “I Got My Shot” badge to their profiles. Those who participate will receive 20 Live! credits to use on the Plenty of Fish Live streaming feature.

Bumble: The popular women-first dating app will enable people in the UK to add a “vaccinated” badge to their profiles. For those who apply the badge, Bumble will offer complimentary credits for premium features such as Spotlights and Superswipes.

People on Bumble will also be able to share COVID-19 preferences, letting them easily communicate how they are comfortable dating: outdoors or indoors, how they feel about crowded spaces, and their expectations about masks and social distancing.

Badoo: In-app promotions will enable people in the UK to add a “vaccinated” badge to their profiles. In addition, Badoo will offer vaccinated people complimentary credits for premium features such as Spotlights and Superswipes.

Muzmatch: Content featuring medics answering users’ most pressing questions about the vaccine will run across social media channels.