3 things to know about Tinder and politics

Philadelphia turned into the dating app capital of the world

Tinder experienced a surge in usage during the four-day Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia last week. Here are a few things to know about what the attendees in Philly had to say:

1. Some used a ‘hashtag mating call’ strategy

According to this article from Philly.com:

Other than where I live, I had no affiliation or reason to be near the convention, but I wanted to get in on the action. What could I learn about politics from an app that would facilitate the hookups of the visiting powerful, passionate and potentially problematic with the passive? Could I swipe my way into political enlightenment? Could I make #DemBoy a thing?

As protesters swarmed the streets, I began sorting through Philadelphia’s newest eligible bachelors. I changed my profile to reflect my desire for a #DemBoy — my hashtag-mating call for DNC attendees — for the week. Restricting myself to only swiping right to those who appeared to be in town only for the DNC, I quickly racked up a pool of #DemBoys, some of whom got the joke, and many of whom did not. A selection of guys from delegates to press to protesters were quick to message me and eager to make plans.

2. Grindr had an even greater uptick in usage

According to this article in Philly Voice:

Tinder saw a 54-percent increase in activity in Philadelphia during the DNC. That spike paled in comparison to a 154 percent uptick on the gay dating app Grindr.

Obviously, the landscape of adult entertainment has changed dramatically with the evolution of online dating applications. This geosocial networking variant — Grindr first appeared in 2009, Tinder in 2012 — has turned convention on its head.

In the midst of the DNC, our Brian Hickey did a “barely scientific” but gloomily revealing investigation into the state of the strip club scene. On Tuesday night at Club Risque, just four miles away from the action in South Philadelphia, business was dead. Not even a barrage of social media promotion and an enticing $20.16 deal could lure people into a lap dance.

3. If people were trying to meet anyone involved in the political process, there may have been a problem

According to this article in Flavorwire:

After about two hours of fruitless swiping, I realized something troubling: For this to work, I need these delegates and volunteers and congressional staffers to swipe right on me, too. But they’re busy doing delegate/volunteer/congressional staffer work. I contemplated running around the convention screaming about Tinder in the hopes it’d motivate someone to open up the app, but that would involve exercise and leaving air conditioning.