• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Analysts expected oil to surge above $200 but China has quietly kept prices half of that—and can’t for much longer

2

Marc Lore’s robots make 500 burrito bowls an hour. A human can make 45

3

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

1

Analysts expected oil to surge above $200 but China has quietly kept prices half of that—and can’t for much longer

2

Marc Lore’s robots make 500 burrito bowls an hour. A human can make 45

3

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
SuccessThe Interview Playbook

Step aside, LinkedIn: Grindr CEO says he has hired workers through the dating app, as the company pitches itself as the new networking platform in town

Orianna Rosa Royle
By
Orianna Rosa Royle
Orianna Rosa Royle
Associate Editor, Success
Down Arrow Button Icon
Orianna Rosa Royle
By
Orianna Rosa Royle
Orianna Rosa Royle
Associate Editor, Success
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 21, 2023, 8:03 AM ET
Black woman on her phone
Users logging on to Grindr to see how many feet they are from a potential love interest can now expect to be poached, rather than asked out.The Good Brigade—Getty Images

You may know Grindr as the go-to destination for LGBTQ+ people looking to hook up—but apparently, it’s now being used as an alternative to the likes of LinkedIn. 

Recommended Video

Users checking into the dating app to see how many feet they are from a potential love interest can now expect to be poached for work, rather than asked out.

That’s because around 25% of its users are on the app to network, according to the company. “We know people use our app to meet new people in their area and in new towns, and we also have plenty of anecdotal evidence of people making connections that lead to professional opportunities like jobs,” a company spokesperson told Insider.

Even its CEO, George Arison told the Wall Street Journal that he has “personally hired or had a professional relationship with several people” he has met over the years via the app. “We encourage people to network on Grindr,” he added.

Once dubbed “the world’s biggest, scariest gay bar,” the app today serves the wider LGBTQ+ community.

Although it’s dwarfed in size by the likes of LinkedIn, which has 930 million members and counting, Grindr is the biggest social network for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people with 13 million monthly active users in virtually every country in the world.

Still, as per Insider, the company is not looking to build features that might specifically foster networking opportunities, like LinkedIn’s jobs board or Bumble Bizz, where people can show off their résumé. 

Plus, although Grindr’s CEO is pitching the platform as a place for poaching staff, its interface is still primarily centered around hooking up, with users able to indicate whether their photos are NSFW (not safe for work) and if they’re a “top” or a “bottom” in the bedroom – for now.

Arison tells Fortune it will add to the app’s functionality to support the uses that its users care about from hookups and dating to friendships and networking.

“Grindr is committed to building community among its users, and professional connections come about in many different ways,” he adds. “We often hear from users about the significant ways in which Grindr has shaped their lives, including building professional relationships that have led to jobs.”

LinkedIn users are turning the networking app into a dating site 

As the lines between business and pleasure blur on Grindr, LinkedIn has been struggling with a similar dilemma. 

Recent research has shown an uptick in users heading to the thought-leadership-heavy professional networking platform to find love—but it’s not going down well with women who are mostly on the receiving end of such unwanted advances. 

In fact, over 90% of women say they have received at least one inappropriate message or romantic advance on the app, according to Passport Photo Online’s survey of over 1,000 women in the U.S. who regularly log into LinkedIn. 

But since hooking up is not the site’s intended use, about 43% of those women have pushed back to let the senders know they’ve crossed a line and 74% have dialed back their activity on LinkedIn at least once as a result of the inappropriate behavior. 

Ultimately, if female professionals reduce their presence on the platform, they may find it harder to connect with people in their field, build their personal online brand, and get hired. Meanwhile, LinkedIn risks having a platform that isn’t inclusive of women. 

It’s perhaps why, unlike Grindr—which is clearly embracing the diverse ways users can forge connections beyond the app’s original scope—LinkedIn’s community guidelines explicitly prohibit using the platform as a dating site.

“This kind of behavior is inappropriate and not allowed on LinkedIn. Unwanted romantic advances and harassment violate our rules and our policies clearly communicate the type of content that isn’t allowed on LinkedIn,” a spokesperson for the company told Fortune, while adding that it’s invested in tools that help stop harassment in its tracks before a LinkedIn member can even see the offending content.

“We also encourage people on LinkedIn to report inappropriate content so our teams can help protect them and others. We regularly share updates about the content we remove from LinkedIn in our transparency report.”

The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
About the Author
Orianna Rosa Royle
By Orianna Rosa RoyleAssociate Editor, Success
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Orianna Rosa Royle is the Success associate editor at Fortune, overseeing careers, leadership, and company culture coverage. She was previously the senior reporter at Management Today, Britain's longest-running publication for CEOs. 

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Success

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Success

Testosil Review (2026): Testosterone Supplement Reviewed
HealthDietary Supplements
Testosil Review (2026): Testosterone Supplement Reviewed
By Christina SnyderJune 11, 2026
7 hours ago
American taxpayers have spent $33 billion on sports stadiums. They got fewer seats—and higher prices
SuccessSports
American taxpayers have spent $33 billion on sports stadiums. They got fewer seats—and higher prices
By Catherina GioinoJune 11, 2026
8 hours ago
Gen Z intern speaking during meeting
SuccessJobs
Ken Griffin’s Citadel companies just hired 350 interns—only 0.36% of over 115,000 young applicants made the cut
By Emma BurleighJune 11, 2026
12 hours ago
Shaun White, wearing a jacket with a fur-lined hood, looks up.
SuccessBrainstorm Tech
Olympic champion Shaun White says AI is ‘leveling the playing field’ for professional athletes
By Sasha RogelbergJune 11, 2026
12 hours ago
Meet the SpaceX employees who are set to become multimillionaires thanks to its IPO: from execs to even welders
SuccessWealth
Meet the SpaceX employees who are set to become multimillionaires thanks to its IPO: from execs to even welders
By Preston ForeJune 11, 2026
12 hours ago
A 5-week course and a guaranteed job: Meta commits $115 million to solve the skilled-trades shortage stalling its AI build-out
Future of WorkMeta
A 5-week course and a guaranteed job: Meta commits $115 million to solve the skilled-trades shortage stalling its AI build-out
By Jacqueline MunisJune 10, 2026
1 day ago

Most Popular

Analysts expected oil to surge above $200 but China has quietly kept prices half of that—and can’t for much longer
Energy
Analysts expected oil to surge above $200 but China has quietly kept prices half of that—and can’t for much longer
By Sasha RogelbergJune 10, 2026
1 day ago
Marc Lore’s robots make 500 burrito bowls an hour. A human can make 45
Innovation
Marc Lore’s robots make 500 burrito bowls an hour. A human can make 45
By Amanda GerutJune 9, 2026
2 days ago
Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
Asia
Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
By Kate O'Keeffe and BloombergJune 8, 2026
3 days ago
Corporate America has been draining the world's water. Matt Damon's new campaign calls on Gap, Starbucks, and Amazon to help give it back
Environment
Corporate America has been draining the world's water. Matt Damon's new campaign calls on Gap, Starbucks, and Amazon to help give it back
By Catherina GioinoJune 9, 2026
3 days ago
Current price of oil as of June 11, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 11, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 11, 2026
14 hours ago
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
Success
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
By Preston ForeJune 8, 2026
3 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.