10 Best Dating App Features That Keep Users Hooked and Coming Back

AI-powered smart matches are reshaping the dating app experience, offering users more accurate and personalized matches. 

Instead of relying solely on users’ swipes, apps leverage machine learning to analyze communication patterns, behavior trends, and preferences to offer tailored recommendations, making matchmaking more efficient and meaningful.

For example, Tinder, one of the leading dating apps, refines match suggestions based on swipe and interaction data, while eHarmony’s AI-driven compatibility assessments focus on long-term relationship potential. Coffee Meets Bagel takes it a step further with curated daily matches based on user activity and engagement trends. 

These algorithms focus on successful matchmaking and long-term alignment by analyzing interaction patterns and behavior trends. AI systems learn from interactions to provide tailored recommendations, catering to a wide range of users, including busy professionals and those looking for deeper connections.

One thing these AI-driven features have in common is that they streamline the dating process by adapting to individual user needs and complementing traditional swiping methods without replacing them. 

Integrating AI-driven features can significantly boost user engagement and retention. And as this industry continues to grow, relying on AI for matchmaking will be increasingly crucial for meeting user expectations. 

App Makers LA can help you build a dating app and integrate AI-driven features that will make it stand out in a competitive market.

Dating preference filters are a game-changer when it comes to creating a more customized dating experience. 

The idea is simple: 

These tools give users the ability to personalize their match preferences and refine their search based on specific criteria like age, location, interests, lifestyle choices, and even values. By doing so, dating apps increase the chances of meaningful connections and reduce the frustration of irrelevant matches.

Besides, when they’re given the flexibility to narrow down their ideal match, users feel more in control of their dating experience, leading to higher satisfaction and better outcomes. 

Whether it’s seeking someone who shares their love for outdoor adventures or finding a partner who’s aligned with their long-term goals, preference filters offer a more streamlined and authentic matchmaking process.

Incorporating effective dating preference filters into your app is essential. They allow for a more efficient search, helping users find connections that truly align with their unique needs. 

If you're looking to improve your dating app with personalized features like these, App Makers LA can help you design an experience that empowers users and drives engagement.

While users should have the flexibility to set different preference filters, it’s important to note that certain discrepancies between what users say they want and their actual preferences and behavior are not that uncommon. 

For instance, while many users express a preference for documentaries, they often spend more time watching reality TV shows like "The Bachelor." This understanding allows for more precise matchmaking that aligns with users’ true inclinations.

That’s where psychological questionnaires come into play. 

Rather than focusing solely on physical attraction and superficial qualities, these tools assess key compatibility factors—such as personality traits, attachment styles, and core motivations—to make sure that users are paired with others who align with their values and preferences. 

More importantly, these in-depth surveys allow apps to uncover genuine user preferences. 

Frameworks like the Big Five personality traits, Myers-Briggs types, and Enneagram scores are now being used to refine matchmaking, moving beyond physical attraction and matching users based on emotional compatibility and relationship dynamics. This deeper approach facilitates meaningful relationships that go beyond surface-level connections.

Advanced AI-driven tools take this further, providing users with detailed compatibility reports that predict long-term success based on behavior and communication patterns.

Apps that integrate these psychological tools provide a more thoughtful, personalized approach to matchmaking—ultimately enhancing user satisfaction and reducing app fatigue.

A prime example is Laguna: 

This new AI-powered matchmaking app launched in October 2024 and features a three-question profile design that assesses shared values, personality traits, and life goals, offering a more targeted approach to pairing users.

A strong dating profile goes beyond just great photos—it’s about how effectively users present themselves. That’s where profile performance checkers and tailored prompts come in, helping users refine their profiles for better engagement and more meaningful matches.

Tailoring methods, such as customization and personalization, have been shown to positively influence user perceptions of suggested matches, improving the quality and relevance of the connections formed through dating apps.

Profile archetypes, designed with structured prompts that highlight unique traits and values, contribute to a more meaningful dating experience, too. 

Hinge's Prompt Feedback is a great example of this: 

Users receive AI-powered coaching that helps them highlight their unique personalities and dating intentions, ensuring their profiles make a strong first impression. 

By analyzing user input, these systems suggest improvements that enhance authenticity and boost compatibility. 

Structured prompts, multimedia elements like voice and video responses, and personalized recommendations create a more dynamic, engaging profile experience.

Dating platforms need to prioritize revenue generation alongside user matching. The addition of features like profile performance checkers and tailored prompts can help them balance user satisfaction with platform profitability.

Women-first messaging, popularized by Bumble, redefines dating app interactions by giving women the power to initiate conversations in heterosexual matches. This innovative approach shifts traditional dynamics, creating a more balanced and user-friendly experience.

By allowing women to make the first move, this feature fosters a sense of empowerment and challenges conventional norms, which resonates with users looking for a more progressive dating environment. 

Plus, the built-in 24-hour countdown creates a sense of urgency and encourages quick engagement, reducing ghosting and increasing meaningful interactions.

While many women value the empowerment and greater sense of control that this model offers, for men, this shift may invigorate the typical pursuit dynamic, presenting both opportunities and challenges.

Understanding these dynamics and the impact of women-first messaging is key for designing features that enhance user experience and retention. 

For a tailored dating app experience, consider partnering with App Makers LA. Our team will help you implement smart, interactive features that elevate user experience and drive meaningful connections.

Have you ever thought about what makes some dating apps more engaging than others? The key often lies in how they spark conversations—icebreaker prompts turn passive swiping into active, meaningful interactions.

Take Prospr’s Quiz Mode, for example. It requires users to answer a custom question before sending a like, which significantly increases engagement and improves potential match quality. 

Furthermore, thoughtfully designed prompts can:

• Kickstart genuine conversations and move beyond generic openers.
• Encourage users to showcase their personality through thoughtful responses.
• Make the experience more fun and interactive, keeping users invested in the app.
• Strengthen personal connections, increasing the chances of successful matches.

All that is to say, incorporating interactive prompts can set your app apart in a competitive market. 

Want to make your dating app stand out? At App Makers LA, we design interactive features—including icebreaker prompts—that boost engagement and foster real connections. Let’s build an app that keeps users coming back. Get in touch today!

Icebreaker prompts might help spark conversations, but location-based features that allow users to connect with the right people, wherever they are, are every bit as important. 

Users can browse and match with people in different cities before they even arrive there, making it easier than ever to connect while traveling. 

Apps like Bumble, for example, offer hyper-local search radius adjustments, giving users control over who they connect with, down to the neighborhood level.

Other features, like dynamic location switching, let users explore future travel spots, while the so-called exclusion zones allow them to avoid specific areas. Real-time matching, as seen in Happn’s cross-paths feature, adds spontaneity by notifying users when they’re near potential matches.

Plus, you can throw in map-based interfaces and walking directions to simplify meetups even further.

Integrating smart location tools can enhance user experience and retention. At App Makers LA, we help you build intuitive, location-based features that keep your users engaged and in control over their location preferences. Get in touch with our team today.

Private chat has long been the gold standard for dating platforms. But when it comes to building authentic connections, in-app communication features—including voice calls and video chat—have become essential. They allow users to take their interactions beyond text-based messaging, offering a richer, more personal experience within the app.

Voice calls offer a more personal alternative to text messages. They provide an opportunity for users to get to know each other’s personalities and communication styles before meeting in person. This helps break the ice and builds confidence for users who might be hesitant about taking the next step.

Video chat integration takes things to the next level by allowing users to engage directly with potential matches, reducing the uncertainty of online conversations. 

Video calls help create a stronger sense of trust and foster more meaningful connections by giving users a chance to gauge compatibility beyond profile pictures and bios. It’s no wonder that apps like Match and Tinder have already incorporated this feature to support face-to-face interactions in a secure, controlled environment. 

Most importantly, in-app communication features prioritize privacy and safety, allowing users to engage without having to reveal their personal phone numbers and other private information. This creates a safer space for users to connect and get to know each other at their own pace.

Keeping users engaged without overwhelming them is key in the fast-paced world of online dating—and that's where smart push notifications come into play.

These aren’t your average alerts. Smart push notifications are personalized based on users' preferences and behaviors, delivering just the right amount of interaction to keep them coming back.

Here’s what makes them stand out:

• Personalized Alerts: Notifications aren’t just about likes or matches—they’re tailored to user interests, preferred activity levels, and recent interactions, delivering value without being disruptive.
• Behavior-Driven Notifications: By tracking user behavior, such as swipe frequency or preferred match types, these notifications suggest matches that users are most likely to engage with, making it easier to find meaningful connections.
• Optimal Timing: Push notifications are only effective when they reach users at the right time. Smart notifications can be set to arrive when users are most likely to respond—during peak activity hours or based on individual patterns—maximizing engagement.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Whether a user is browsing the dating app on their phone, tablet, or desktop, push notifications work across platforms, providing a consistent and uninterrupted experience.
• Privacy and Control: Users have full control over which notifications they receive, allowing them to opt in for only the alerts that matter most, making the dating app feel more personal and less intrusive.

When integrated properly, smart push notifications don’t simply remind users to engage—they enhance the entire dating experience and improve retention rates by keeping users connected without the dreaded notification overload.

App Makers LA can help you integrate push notifications and other features that drive user engagement. Let’s work together to create a dating app experience that keeps users coming back for more.

Dating should be fun—not a chore. That’s why top dating apps use gamification features to keep users engaged, motivated, and excited to interact. 

By turning matchmaking into an immersive experience, gamification elements encourage users to stay active and make meaningful connections.

Here’s how gamification enhances the dating experience:

• Streaks & Rewards: Encouraging consistent activity, streaks reward users for logging in daily, swiping, or starting conversations. Small incentives—such as profile boosts or extra likes—keep engagement high.
• Matchmaking Challenges: Some apps introduce interactive challenges, like answering personality quizzes or completing icebreaker prompts, to unlock potential matches and spark more interesting conversations.
• Leveling Up & Badges: Rewarding users with achievement badges or tiered memberships adds an element of progression, motivating them to explore new features and engage more with the platform.
• Time-Limited Features: Flash matches, expiring likes, and exclusive events create a sense of urgency, encouraging users to act quickly and make decisions faster.

Gamification isn’t just about making dating more entertaining—it’s a powerful strategy to boost retention, encourage engagement, and create a more dynamic user experience.

Get in touch with App Makers LA, and let’s build a dating app that turns swiping into something more—an experience worth coming back to.