Hinge is an online dating application launched in February 2013 by founder Justin McLeod, designed to be "the relationship app" by fostering deeper connections than traditional swipe-based platforms. It encourages users to express personality through various media, including photos, videos, voice recordings, and prompts, requiring engagement with specific profile elements. The app saw significant growth and increased revenue after Match Group acquired full ownership by early 2019, with its revenue soaring from $8 million in 2018 to $284 million by 2022.

Its popularity was further bolstered when prominent figures, such as Pete Buttigieg, revealed they met their spouses on the platform. Now boasting 23 million regular users, Hinge continues to innovate, adding features like voice messages and offering paid memberships (Hinge+ and Hinge X) that provide advanced filters and profile boosting to enhance the search for meaningful relationships.