Match Group COO out, as dating apps struggle to connect with Gen Z

Match Group, the parent company of Tinder, has announced significant changes to its executive team, including the elimination of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) position. This decision marks the end of an 18-year tenure for Hesam Hosseini, who has been with the company since its early years. The move comes as the dating app sector grapples with a decline in user engagement, particularly among Gen Z demographics. Hosseini, who stepped into the COO role on April 1, 2025, after previously serving as CEO of Evergreen & Emerging Brands, is leaving amid a broader organizational shakeup. This restructuring also saw the departure of Match Group President Gary Swidler and aims to reduce costs by $100 million annually. These leadership changes are taking place under CEO Spencer Rascoff, who joined Match Group in February of last year. While no additional layoffs or executive exits were announced alongside Hosseini's departure, Rascoff acknowledged Hosseini's contributions in a LinkedIn post, praising him for playing a pivotal role in transforming online dating from a niche market to a mainstream phenomenon. According to sources familiar with the situation, Rascoff and Hosseini had previously discussed the necessity of the COO position within the company's current strategy. Hosseini's employment agreement included a base salary of $635,000 and various benefits, with a one-year term set to automatically renew unless terminated. Despite recent positive earnings, where the company reported $878 million in revenue for the first quarter, the outlook for the upcoming year fell short of Wall Street estimates. The company anticipates revenues between $3.41 billion and $3.54 billion, while analysts expected $3.59 billion. Looking ahead, Match Group plans to introduce more AI-driven features for Tinder, with a product event scheduled for later this month. This initiative aims to reassure investors about the company’s strategy in a competitive dating app landscape, where many users are increasingly favoring real-life connections over digital encounters.