Love Wins? White House Pushing Dating Apps to Provide Perks to COVID-Vaxxed Users

May 21st, 2021 2:59 PM

Some dating sites will now make it easier than ever for people to treat their COVID-19 vaccine like a personality trait.

The White House has turned to dating apps in an attempt to convince more people to take a COVID-19 vaccine. These dating apps “are offering various types of premium content such as boosts, super likes and super swipes to those who get vaccinated as well as ways for people to share their vaccination status in their profile,” according to Axios.

Tinder, Hinge, Match, OkCupid, BLK, Chispa, Plenty of Fish, Bumble and Badoo will all reportedly provide perks to users who have said that they have received a COVID-19 vaccine. “In support of President Biden’s goal of getting 70 percent of adults at least one shot by July 4, the largest dating apps in America will launch new features to encourage Americans to get vaccinated,” said a White House announcement, according to The Hill. None of the apps responded to a request from MRC Free Speech America to confirm the news, with the exception of OkCupid. 

OkCupid told MRC Free Speech America that: “Daters who add OkCupid’s ‘I’m Vaccinated’ profile badge will receive a free ‘Boost’ and will also be featured within OkCupid’s ‘Vaccinated Stack,’ our new matching system that lets users search by select categories on the app.” The service explained that when a user  receives a “Boost,” their profile will appear “in more results than it would otherwise be shown in.”

Other apps have varying perks for users who list themselves as having received a COVID-19 vaccine. Axios reported on Tinder, for example, that “[m]embers will be able to add stickers to their profile including ‘Getting Vaxed’ or ‘Vaccines Save Lives.’ Those who get vaccinated will get a ‘Super Like’ to raise their chance of being seen by a desired match.” Meanwhile, Match will “give those who are vaccinated a free ‘Boost,’” according to Axios. On Match, a “Boost” helps users “get more views by making sure your profile is included in the top 6 results of members looking for someone like you!”  

These dating apps were not the first companies to provide incentives for consumers to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Krispy Kreme, for example, said, “anyone who shows their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card will receive a free Original Glazed® doughnut.” Target provided “$5 Coupons for Guests Who Receive Their COVID-19 Vaccine In Stores.” The beer company Budweiser offered: “Your first round’s on us, if you’ve been vaccinated.”

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