Match Group COO exits as dating apps face challenges attracting Gen Z users

Tinder's parent company, Match Group, said on Thursday that it is removing the chief operating officer role, which means Hesam Hosseini will be leaving the company after 18 years with the dating-app giant. The move comes as the dating-app industry faces user fatigue and declining appeal among Gen Z.

Hosseini has served as COO since April 1, 2025, following a promotion, while continuing to serve as CEO of Evergreen & Emerging Brands. His rise within Match Group followed an internal leadership reshuffle that also included the departure of Match Group President Gary Swidler, along with other layoffs aimed at helping the company save $100 million annually.

These changes, including Hosseini's exit, are unfolding under Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff, the former Zillow co-founder who joined the company in February of last year. No additional executive departures or layoffs were announced on Thursday.

In a LinkedIn post announcing his departure, Hosseini reflected positively on his years at Match Group, saying he had "a front row seat to seeing our category grow into the number one way people find meaningful connection," and adding that he remains confident about the company's direction going forward. When reached for comment, Match pointed to Rascoff's response on Hosseini's public post.

"18 years is an extraordinary run, Hesam. Thank you for your leadership, steady hand and deep belief in this category and company," Rascoff wrote. "You helped take online dating from the margins to the mainstream and built teams and brands that will have a lasting impact. I'm personally grateful for your partnership."

A source familiar with Hosseini's planned departure said Rascoff has been deeply involved in Match Group's operations for some time, and that both executives had previously discussed whether the COO position was necessary for the company at this stage.

Under Hosseini's employment agreement, he received a base salary of $635,000, a discretionary cash bonus, and additional benefits. The one-year agreement was set to renew automatically on April 1, 2026, unless it was terminated before that date, suggesting the company intended to revisit the need for the role after one year. When that point arrived, Hosseini chose to step away.

The decision comes after the dating-app company posted better-than-expected first-quarter results, reporting revenue of $878 million and earnings per share of 83 cents, ahead of analyst expectations of $871 million in revenue and 70 cents per share. Still, Match Group's outlook for the coming year fell below estimates, with projected revenue between $3.41 billion and $3.54 billion, compared with Wall Street's $3.59 billion. The company also said it plans to introduce more AI-powered products and features for Tinder, its flagship app.

Tinder is also preparing to hold its first-ever product event this month, where it plans to unveil new features and share more about its future roadmap. The event is intended to reassure investors that the company has a strategy for navigating a changing dating-app market, one in which many users are leaving dating apps entirely for real-world experiences.