Bill Alena
Founder & CEO, High Intent Media
Twenty-five years in online dating, on both sides of the table. Operator, investor, and now publisher.
The record.
Bill Alena is the founder and CEO of High Intent Media. He has spent twenty-five years building and investing in dating companies, on both sides of the table.
He built myYearbook's revenue from $0 to $100M+ as Chief Revenue Officer. He ran all monetization at The Meet Group (NASDAQ: MEET) and helped grow it through four acquisitions. As Chief Investment & Growth Officer at Social Discovery Group, he grew revenue from $200M to $350M and led the company's M&A practice and a dating-only venture fund.
He founded High Intent to give operators in the dating industry the honest news, the platform, the services, and the capital they have never had access to from one place. He writes The Editorial weekly, on the business of dating, from an operator's chair.
Editorials by Bill Alena
All editorials →- July 28, 2026HubPeople: The Sites Behind the Platform
HubPeople, the white-label dating technology company led by the Online Dating & Discovery Association board member Michael O'Sullivan, showcases a roster of wholesome niche brands on its corporate homepage. A technical review finds its infrastructure also powers a large network of adult hookup sites that appear nowhere in that corporate showcase.
- July 21, 2026The Funding Conversation No One in Dating Will Have With You
Every few weeks, someone asks me to help them raise money for their dating app. After twenty-five years on both sides of the table, here is the honest version of that conversation, and why it is more hopeful than the headlines.
- July 30, 2026What Bumble's Fire Sale Tells You About This Market
Reuters reported that Bumble has hired Morgan Stanley to explore a sale. The read for operators is not that the category is dying. It is that a price discovery event is about to open the M&A window for everyone else.
Reporting by Bill Alena
All newsroom →- July 20, 2026PlatformsSeeking.com Exposes Scammers to Pressure Industry on Fraud Prevention
Seeking.com uses AI to block 90% of scammers before contact. Publicly exposing them pressures the industry to enhance fraud prevention measures.
- July 20, 2026PlatformsBadoo Faces Another Data Breach: What Founders Must Learn
Badoo's alleged breach of 51M accounts highlights security risks. Founders must prioritize robust data protection to prevent user exposure and trust loss.
- July 17, 2026ProductTinder Rebrands with 'T' Persona to Reengage Gen Z Users
Tinder's rebrand introduces 'T' as a dating advisor. With Gen Z burnout high, founders should note this shift to retain younger users.
- July 17, 2026The DataVirgin Media O2 Data Shows Dating App Surges During World Cup Breaks: Founders Should Leverage Event-Driven Engagement
Virgin Media O2 data reveals a 116% spike in dating app use at half-time during World Cup. Founders should capitalize on event-driven user engagement.
- July 17, 2026ProductDUO AI Dating Reinvents Matchmaking with Conversational AI Concierge, Offering Founders a New Model to Engage Users
DUO AI Dating's new service uses AI to match users via text, bypassing traditional apps. Founders can explore this model to enhance user engagement.
- July 16, 2026PolicyOfcom Pushes Age Assurance in Online Dating: Founders Must Act
Ofcom's report urges online dating services to adopt effective age checks. Founders must ensure compliance to avoid enforcement actions.
- July 16, 2026ProductHinge Introduces Friend's Take to Enhance Profile Authenticity
Hinge's Friend's Take lets users invite friends to contribute to profiles. With 71% seeking help, this feature offers a more authentic dating experience.
- July 16, 2026PlatformsTinder Partners with Formula E to Drive Real-World Connections
Tinder partners with Formula E as the 'Sparking Connections' partner for the 2026 London E-Prix, aiming to boost real-world connections and brand reach.
- July 16, 2026PeopleOvertone Hires Former Bumble Exec to Lead Communications: What Founders Can Learn
Overtone appoints Lucille McCart as Head of Communications. Her Bumble experience in global expansion offers insights for founders on scaling strategies.
- July 15, 2026ProductTinder Reduces User Decline with Social Features: Founders Should Note Engagement Strategies
Tinder's Double Date feature engages 25% of Gen Z users, slowing user decline. Founders should consider social features to boost engagement.
- July 14, 2026ProductAisle Introduces Money Back Guarantee to Boost User Confidence
Aisle's new Money Back Guarantee for paid plans targets serious daters. Founders should note its potential to increase user trust and subscriptions.
- July 14, 2026The DataQuackQuack Reveals Gen Z's Focus on 'Relationship Resumes' for Compatibility
QuackQuack survey finds 55% of Gen Z in India prioritize past relationship handling over partner count, signaling a shift in compatibility criteria.
- July 13, 2026ProductFate Launches IRL Events to Enhance Matchmaking Quality
Fate's IRL events use app data to curate attendees, improving match quality. First two events sold out, signaling demand for curated dating experiences.
- July 13, 2026ProductKnown Ditches Swiping for AI Conversations to Capture Niche Users
Known uses AI voice chats to match users, offering one match at a time. Founders can leverage this model to attract niche audiences seeking quality.
- July 13, 2026PlatformsVeriff Joins ODDA to Enhance Dating App Safety Measures
Veriff joins ODDA to improve dating app safety with real-time biometric checks. Founders should consider integrating similar verification systems.
- July 10, 2026PlatformsFeeld and Tinder Leverage World Cup to Boost User Engagement
Feeld saw an 88% rise in NYC users listing 'soccer' as an interest. Founders should note how events like the World Cup can drive app activity.
- July 10, 2026The DataGleeden-Ipsos Data Shows AI Adoption in Tier 2 Cities, Expanding India's Digital Intimacy Market
Gleeden-Ipsos finds 62% in Visakhapatnam use AI for sexual health. Founders should note the expanding market beyond major metros.
- July 9, 2026PlatformsSURF Partners with HYROX Australia to Connect Fitness-Minded Singles
SURF partners with HYROX Australia to connect fitness-focused singles. Founders should note the trend of niche dating platforms enhancing user engagement.
- July 9, 2026PlatformsKorean Dating Apps Target Japan as Domestic Growth Stalls
Korean dating apps like Wippy and Glam target Japan due to stagnant home market. Founders should consider international expansion for growth.
- July 9, 2026EarningsMatrimony.com Boosts Q1 Billings by 7.8%, Strengthens Matchmaking Services
Matrimony.com reported a 7.8% increase in Q1 billings to ₹13,603 lakhs, driven by Matchmaking Services. Founders should note the segment's growth potential.
- July 8, 2026The DataCloaked Survey Reveals Robocalls Deter Phone Sharing on Dating Apps, Pressuring Platforms to Enhance Privacy
Cloaked finds 30% avoid sharing numbers on dating apps due to robocalls. Platforms must enhance privacy to maintain user trust and engagement.
- July 8, 2026The DataMarquette Poll Shows Dating Apps Lag Behind In-Person Dates: Founders Should Focus on Offline Engagement
Marquette Poll finds 49% of singles don't date; 70% avoid dating apps. Founders should enhance offline engagement to capture this market.
- July 7, 2026ProductMatch Group Implements AI Budgets, Reshaping Product Strategy
Match Group doubles AI budget to $10M, requiring justification for excess use. Founders should consider AI's impact on product strategy and costs.
- July 7, 2026PolicySumsub and ODDA Urge Dating Apps to Combat AI-Driven Fraud
Sumsub and ODDA's report highlights AI-driven romance fraud, urging dating apps to enhance verification. Founders must prioritize user trust and safety.