Software:Badoo

From HandWiki

Badoo is an online dating-focused[1] and social networking application. Founded by Andrey Andreev in 2006,[2] Badoo originally launched as a web product.[3] It has headquarters in London.[4][5] In 2012, the app was launched in the United States and later became a brand of Bumble Inc.[5]

As of 2025, Badoo operates in 190 countries[6] and is available in 47 languages, making it the world's most widely used dating network.[7][8] The app is available on iOS, Android, Google Play, and the web. Badoo operates on a freemium model, whereby the core services can be used without payment.

History

First logo, used from November 2006–April 2017
Second logo, used from April 2017–June 2019
Third logo, used from June 2019–February 2022
Fourth logo, used from February 2022–November 2023
Fifth logo, used from November 2023–2025

Badoo was founded by Andrey Andreev and launched in London in April 2006.[9] It has since ranked among the most popular dating websites.[10]

In 2007, Badoo raised $30 million in funding.[11] In January 2008, Finam Capital paid $30 million for a 10% stake in Badoo for expansion in Russia.[12] Badoo also reached 13 million users in 2008.[13]

The official launch of Badoo in the U.S. was on March 23, 2012, with Nick Cannon introducing the service in the United States.[5]

In 2014, Badoo’s CEO Andrey Andreev contacted Bumble’s Whitney Wolfe Herd to form a partnership: Andreev received 79% ownership in the company for an initial investment of $10 million, along with additional investments; Wolfe Herd served as founder, CEO, and 20% owner.[14][15] As part of the agreement, the new company would also utilize Badoo's infrastructure and Andreev's consulting.[16] Wolfe Herd said the partnership was key due to Andreev's "knowledge and infrastructure".[17][18]

In 2016, Badoo was the most downloaded dating app in 21 countries.[7]

In April 2017, Badoo launched a newly redesigned app and brand, as well as the tagline "Bigger than Dating". Andreev discussed this redesign in an interview with Business Insider's James Cook in the same month.[2]

Andreev created Magic Lab in 2019 as the parent company of both Bumble and Badoo.[3] In November 2019, Andreev sold his majority stake in Bumble and Badoo to Blackstone Inc. in a deal that valued the companies at $3 billion.[19]

In 2020, Bumble Inc. replaced MagicLab as Badoo’s parent company, with Badoo becoming a subsidiary product.[20]

Badoo launched its “Let’s Fix Dating” global marketing campaign in 2022.[21]

Features

Badoo has several features that enable users to meet people. When first signing up, individuals select whether they want to “match” with new people in order to date, chat or make new friends. Users can chat via in-app messaging,[22] upload photos and videos, as well as share their interests to find any friends in common.[23][24][25]

The main features include:

  • Discover: Users can see and contact people who live in their area, as well as their location[22]
  • Encounters: Another free feature, where users swipe right (yes) or left (no) on other users' profiles based on search criteria (i.e. distance, age, interests). Users are able add their personal interests on their own profile and can search for compatible matches using advanced search filters, such as dating intentions. Users can add a “mood” to their profile and also see other users’ moods[26][27]
  • In-App Video Chat and Calls: In August 2017, Badoo launched its video chat function that allows users to connect real-time, once they've exchanged messages[28]

Safety features include:

  • Photo Verification: The company has also developed a photo verification process, where users upload a photo of themselves mimicking a specific pose.[29]
  • Selfie Request: A feature used to ensure users are real and verified. Such features include the 'selfie request' button,[30] through which women can request a man they're speaking to send a 'selfie' to prove they are the same person as in the pictures. This 'selfie request' feature is only available to female account holders; it is unavailable to male Badoo users[31]
  • Private Detector: Launched in 2020, this features uses AI to identify potentially offending photos, automatically blurring them and providing a user warning for “inappropriate content”[32]
  • Message Detector: ‘Rude Message Detector’ automatically flags any discriminatory or overtly sexual messages. This features uses machine learning AI to distinguish between “banter” and verbal abuse[33]
  • Screenshot Block: In 2021, Badoo released its Screenshot Block feature, intended to discourage sharing private information and photos without permission. Android users could no longer take screenshots of the app, whereas iOS users got a warning message[34]
  • Deception Detector: In 2024, Deception Detector was added to identify spam and fake profiles using AI. The machine learning model is capable of blocking 95% scam accounts automatically[35]

Badoo is a freemium service, where the basic service is free for everyone but users have an option to pay for premium features. Such features include, ‘Rise Up’, which allows users to place their profile at the top of search results for matches in their respective area.[36] Users can also pay to have their profile photo more widely visible across the site.[36]

Reception

In a peer-reviewed study by Cambridge University in 2009,[37] it was given the lowest score for privacy among the 45 social networking sites examined.[38]

In 2011, The Economist dubbed Badoo “a nightclub on your smartphone” and Wired described Badoo as a "mass phenomenon" in Brazil, Mexico, France, Spain, and Italy.[36][23] That same year, Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reported that numerous Badoo profiles were created without people's consent,[39] and Badoo was asked to adjust its approach after going viral on Facebook through popular social games and quizzes.[40]

A 2012 CNET review by Rafe Needleman noted that, while the site was advertised as a way to meet local friends with shared interests, it was more like a photo-based dating site. He also said the way it matches users was "obscure".[11]

According to Google's transparency report on the requests for search removals stemming from the "right to be forgotten" ruling, Badoo had the eighth-highest number of URLs removed from Google Search in 2014, with Facebook, YouTube, Google Groups and Twitter receiving a higher number of these requests.[41]

In 2018, Badoo was the subject of a Forbes investigative report, finding that thirteen Badoo employees reported a culture of workplace afterparties involving use of recreational drugs and prostitutes, along with several instances of sexual assault and harassment.[17][18][42] Consequently, MagicLab hired Doyle Clayton, an employment law firm, to internally investigate these allegations. Following a six-month investigation, MagicLab announced that it would reform its workplace policies to “enforce appropriate employee conduct”, “make it easier for whistleblowers to report misconduct”, and improve diversity and inclusion training.[43]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Badabing Badaboom – Badoo Hits 150 Million Users, Boosted By Mobile". TechCrunch. AOL. 4 May 2012. https://techcrunch.com/2012/05/04/badabing-badaboom-badoo-hits-150-million-users-boosted-by-mobile/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The reclusive CEO of dating app Badoo on his app's redesign, Bumble, and why he won't IPO any time soon" (in en). Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/badoo-ceo-andrey-andreev-interview-2017-4. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Parmy Olson (July 11, 2019). "Bumble Owner, Facing Off With Tinder, Boosts Spending". https://www.wsj.com/articles/bumble-owner-facing-off-with-tinder-boosts-spending-11560532155. 
  4. ↑ Badoo – Terms of Use Accessed August 2009.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Social Network Badoo Officially Launches in U.S. With Nick Cannon [PICS"]. Mashable. 23 March 2012. http://mashable.com/2012/03/23/badoo-us/#55251Badoo-Project-in-New-York-City. 
  6. ↑ Toglia, Michelle (2016-03-25). "Here's How Dating App Badoo's Photo Verification Will Wipe Out Catfishing". Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/articles/150147-heres-how-dating-app-badoos-photo-verification-will-wipe-out-catfishing. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "The Dating Game". 12 February 2016. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-2e3f0042-75f6-4bd1-b4fe-9056540c65f8. 
  8. ↑ Craig Smith (December 17, 2024). "Badoo Statistics and User Count for 2024". https://expandedramblings.com/index.php/badoo-facts-statistics/#google_vignette. 
  9. ↑ "Project Portfolio – Badoo". Finam Capital. 2009. http://www.finamcapital.com/badoo.html. 
  10. ↑ "Top 15 Most Popular Dating Websites". eBizMBA. September 2015. http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/dating-websites. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Needleman, Rafe (February 23, 2012). "Badoo: Social experiment or hookup site?". CNET. https://www.cnet.com/news/badoo-social-experiment-or-hookup-site/. 
  12. ↑ Butcher, Mike (21 January 2008). "UK's Badoo pulls $30m for Russian launch, ahead of a home push". Techcrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/uks-badoo-pulls-30m-for-russian-launch-ahead-of-a-home-push/. 
  13. ↑ "Elevator Pitch: Why Badoo wants to be the next word in social networking". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/media/pda/2008/mar/05/elevatorpitchwhybadoowants. 
  14. ↑ "Report: Ousted Tinder Cofounder Settled Her Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against The Company For 'Just Over $1 Million'". Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/whitney-wolfe-settles-sexual-harassment-tinder-lawsuit-1-million-2014-11. 
  15. ↑ "What It's Like To Found A $750 Million Startup, Go Through A Sexual-Harassment Lawsuit, And Start All Over By Age 25". Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/tinder-co-founder-whitney-wolfe-and-bumble-2015-1. 
  16. ↑ O'Connor, Clare (November 14, 2017). "Billion-Dollar Bumble: How Whitney Wolfe Herd Built America's Fastest-Growing Dating App". https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2017/11/14/billion-dollar-bumble-how-whitney-wolfe-herd-built-americas-fastest-growing-dating-app/. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Au-Yeung, Angel. "The Russian Billionaire Cupid Behind The Biggest Dating App in the World" (in en). Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2018/03/12/russian-billionaire-cupid-andrey-andreev-most-popular-dating-app-badoo/#12b6daa47800. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Au-Yeung, Angel (July 8, 2019). "Exclusive Investigation: Sex, Drugs, Misogyny And Sleaze At The HQ Of Bumble's Owner". Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2019/07/08/exclusive-investigation-sex-drugs-misogyny-and-sleaze-at-the-hq-of-bumbles-owner/. Retrieved March 17, 2024. 
  19. ↑ Adrien Henni (November 11, 2019). "Russian Billionaire Sells Dating App Empire in $3Bln Deal". https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/11/11/russian-billionaire-sells-dating-app-empire-3bln-deal-a68120. 
  20. ↑ "What is Badoo?". September 6, 2023. https://www.techmonitor.ai/what-is/what-is-badoo-4996045/?cf-view. 
  21. ↑ "Badoo launches comical “Let’s Fix Dating” campaign by Untold Fable". https://mediashotz.co.uk/badoo-launches-comical-lets-fix-dating-campaign-by-untold-fable/. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "New look" (in en). https://team.badoo.com/new/. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "A nightclub on your smartphone". The Economist. 19 September 2011. https://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/09/social-networking. 
  24. ↑ Chloe Gay (April 6, 2018). "Badoo Launches New ‘Friends of Friends’ Tool". https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/news/badoo-launches-new-friends-friends-tool/. 
  25. ↑ Lulu Chang (April 21, 2022). "Photos in dating apps not doing it for you? Badoo is adding video, too". https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/badoo-video-feature-online-dating-app/. 
  26. ↑ Frommer, Dan. "The Biggest Startup You've Never Heard Of Is About To Hit 108 Million Members". http://www.businessinsider.com/badoo-2011-2#once-weve-signed-up-for-an-account-theres-a-bunch-of-new-stuff-we-can-do-one-fun-feature-is-encounters-a-sort-of-hot-or-not-game-4. 
  27. ↑ "Badoo 'Moods' Launch". https://justinabailey.com/Badoo-Moods-Launch. 
  28. ↑ "Video dating app Badoo could help you to filter out misleading singles" (in en-GB). Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/video-dating-app-badoo-could-help-you-to-filter-out-misleading-singletons-a3623971.html. 
  29. ↑ Taub, Alexander. "Badoo's Selfie Verification Is A Unique Way Of Solving The Catfishing Problem". Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alextaub/2016/04/04/badoos-selfie-verification-is-a-unique-way-of-solving-the-catfishing-problem/#71e56ce724c5. 
  30. ↑ "This dating app has a genius way of preventing catfishing" (in en). Cosmopolitan. 2016-07-11. http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/love-sex/relationships/news/a44585/badoo-dating-app-prevents-catfishing-fake-profiles/. 
  31. ↑ "How to Request a Selfie in Badoo". BOX 20. 3 November 2019. https://social.techjunkie.com/request-selfie-badoo/. 
  32. ↑ Taylor Telford. "Bumble’s new ‘Private Detector’ protects users from rude, lewd and nude photos". https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/04/25/tired-being-deluged-with-unsolicited-nudes-bumble-says-private-detector-will-protect-you/. 
  33. ↑ Dominic Whitlock (October 13, 2021). "Badoo Censors Harmful Content With New ‘Rude Message Detector’". https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/news/badoo-censors-harmful-content-with-new-rude-message-detector/. 
  34. ↑ Andrea Michelson (June 30, 2021). "A dating app has banned users from taking screenshots to keep messages private". https://www.businessinsider.com/dating-app-badoo-banned-users-from-taking-screenshots-messages-photos-2021-6. 
  35. ↑ Pihu Yadav (February 6, 2024). "Bumble Inc launches Deception Detector for scam-free online dating". https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/safer-internet-day-2024-bumble-inc-launches-deception-detector-for-scam-free-online-dating-18989851.htm. 
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 Rowan, David. "How Badoo built a billion-pound social network... on sex". Wired UK. https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2011/05/features/sexual-network/viewall. Retrieved 31 October 2013. 
  37. ↑ Bonneau, Joseph; Preibusch, Sören (2009), "The Privacy Jungle: On the Market for Privacy in Social Networks", WEIS '09: Proceedings of the Eighth Workshop on the Economics of Information Security., http://www.jbonneau.com/doc/BP09-WEIS-privacy_jungle.pdf 
  38. ↑ Social networks ‘failing users’ The Daily Telegraph 21 Jul 2009.
  39. ↑ "Treffipalvelu varastaa profiilitiedot: Varo tätä sovellusta Facebookissa" (in fi). Iltalehti. 21 January 2011. http://www.iltalehti.fi/digi/2011012113041159_du.shtml. 
  40. ↑ "Huge Facebook App Loses 75% Uniques After Facebook Threatens It" (in en). Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/badoo-facebook-2011-4?IR=T. 
  41. ↑ "European privacy requests for search removals". 17 October 2014. https://www.google.com/transparencyreport/removals/europeprivacy/?hl=en. 
  42. ↑ Albert-Deitch, Cameron (9 July 2019). "Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Bumble's Majority Investor Threaten to Throttle the Company's Pro-Woman Cred". Inc.. https://www.inc.com/cameron-albert-deitch/badoo-bumble-toxic-workplace-sexism-allegations.html. Retrieved 17 March 2024. 
  43. ↑ Jeremy Kahn (January 30, 2020). "Bumble parent told to implement workplace reforms after sexism allegations". https://fortune.com/2020/01/30/magiclab-bumble-sexism-allegations-workplace-reforms/. 



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