Project Overview
Many marginalized users on Hinge—particularly those who are trans, non-binary, or gender-expansive—face unique barriers to safe and authentic connection. These users often feel unseen, with limited ways to express their identities. They may be misunderstood, encountering invasive questions or fetishizing comments. Most critically, some feel unsafe, due to harassment, privacy risks, and a lack of trust in how their identity will be received.
Our team was tasked with identifying ways to reduce these points of friction and create a more inclusive, respectful, and secure dating experience. The work required deep sensitivity, nuanced research, and cross-functional collaboration across design, product, and trust and safety teams.
Solution
We explored ways to give users greater control over how they present themselves and engage with others. Our work focused on:
Expanding gender expression options to allow trans and non-binary users to represent themselves authentically
Improving identity transparency to foster trust in the matching experience
Providing preference-based filtering to reduce mismatched or harmful connections, allowing users to indicate openness to dating trans individuals
Empowering users to set expectations early through personalized match prompts
These features were designed to increase safety, reduce emotional labor, and create more intentional, affirming interactions for all users.
Impact
We successfully launched Match Note, an industry-first feature that empowers users to share personal context—such as identity, communication preferences, or lifestyle details—privately with matches before initiating a conversation. This feature was designed to enhance authenticity, compatibility, and safety, particularly for underrepresented communities.
During testing, 68% of users with a Match Note reported that it helped them determine better compatibility with matches.
Key use cases included:
LGBTQIA+ daters sharing gender identity or relationship preferences to foster transparency and trust.
Neurodivergent users expressing their communication styles to minimize misunderstandings.
Individuals discussing family plans, sobriety, or relationship structures to align expectations early on.
By providing a dedicated space for these disclosures, Match Note has reduced emotional labor, improved user confidence, and fostered more intentional connections. The feature received positive engagement at launch and was highlighted in Hinge’s press release as a significant step toward inclusivity and user empowerment.
My Role
I was one of several UX designers involved in this multi-track initiative. My primary contributions included:
Conducting research synthesis across user interviews, help center inquiries, and internal support data to identify pain points specific to underrepresented users
Designing mid- to high-fidelity prototypes to explore expression and safety features, with a focus on clarity and privacy
Collaborating with design leads, researchers, and trust and safety stakeholders to ensure solutions were grounded in user insight and viable to ship
Contributing to the final experience design for Match Note, focusing on entry points, UI clarity, and accessibility considerations
Redefining Love: Centering the Trans Dating Experience on Hinge
In June 2023, I joined Hinge for a UX research and design initiative focused on elevating the experience of trans users on the platform. While dating apps have made strides in inclusive design, trans users continue to face distinct challenges that are often misunderstood or unsupported. This project was an opportunity to listen deeply, amplify marginalized voices, and explore how Hinge could create a more affirming and empowering experience.
At the time of my arrival, Hinge Labs, the team responsible for foundational research and long-term product strategy, had already conducted extensive primary and secondary research. My role was to synthesize those findings, collaborate with internal stakeholders, and help translate the insights into actionable design strategy.
Key insights revealed:
Trans users, while a small portion of Hinge’s total base, represented a rapidly growing community
As of our research, 0.2% of Hinge users, or approximately 27,000 individuals, identified as transgender
Demographically, trans users tended to be younger, more likely to identify as non-binary, and largely part of the broader LGBTQIA+ spectrum
Many shared that existing features did not support safe identity disclosure and that misgendering, fetishization, and emotional labor were ongoing concerns
The message was clear: visibility, trust, and personal expression weren’t nice-to-haves. They were essential to creating an experience where trans users could connect with others without having to compromise safety or authenticity.
The growth rate of Hinge’s trans user base was not only accelerating but also outpacing the growth of both cisgender and broader LGBTQ+ users.
Dating apps have long struggled to create truly inclusive experiences, and for trans users, the journey can be especially complex.
Unseen, Unsafe, and Unmatched: Understanding the Trans Dating Experience on Hinge
After digging into the initial research from Hinge Labs, I felt prepared to step into a more hands-on role as a co-interviewer during our user sessions. Sitting in on these conversations with trans and non-binary daters gave me a deeper, more personal understanding of their lived experiences on the app.
As we listened, clear patterns started to emerge—patterns that reflected not just usability issues, but broader concerns around identity, safety, and belonging.
Three key themes came up consistently:
Safety concerns, especially around harassment and identity-based targeting
False reporting, often triggered by users misunderstanding or reacting to someone's gender identity
The need for filtering and preference tools, to help users find more intentional, affirming matches
🟣 Feeling Unsafe: Disproportionate Safety Reports
Trans and non-binary users reported feeling unsafe at a significantly higher rate than other demographics. Many of their reports stemmed from the need to follow up on in-app complaints against other users, highlighting an urgent need for stronger trust and safety mechanisms.
“...I deleted Hinge a while ago because I didn’t think it met my needs as a trans person.”
—Trans Woman, 27
🟣 Feeling Unseen: False Reports for Gender
One of the most alarming findings was that trans daters were 12% more likely to be reported than their cisgender counterparts, with the most common reason being: "Profile is fake, spam, or scammer." This false reporting not only created frustrating barriers to engagement but also sent a disheartening message—that their identities were being questioned or erased.
“...I get cussed out almost immediately… those are the issues that would come up because I'm incapable of identifying myself properly to people who misidentify me..”
—Trans Non-Binary Dater, 28
🟣 Feeling Uncomfortable: The Need for a Trans Filter
Many trans daters expressed the desire for a feature that allows them to filter potential matches by whether someone is open to dating a trans person. This would help foster more compatible matches while also mitigating awkward or uncomfortable interactions with those who may not be accepting or affirming of their identity.
These insights revealed that the challenges trans users face go beyond usability. They reflect deeper issues of exclusion shaped by product design. Our goal became clear: create solutions that help trans users feel not just seen, but genuinely supported on Hinge.
Raising the Bar for Inclusive Dating
For many trans daters, online dating can feel dehumanizing when others fail to see beyond their identity. Despite these challenges, many trans users have a positive affinity toward Hinge and don’t necessarily expect the platform to solve the broader issues rooted in dating culture. But what if we went further? What if we raised the bar for how we design for our most marginalized and vulnerable daters—creating a space where they feel truly seen, respected, and safe?
Exploring More Inclusive Ways to Express Identity
What if we introduced more inclusive options that empower trans daters to express their identities more fully?
As a starting point, I explored potential solutions that strike a balance between visibility, safety, and user control. These concepts include multi-select options and different UI approaches, such as pill-style selections versus checkboxes, to offer more flexibility in how users share their identities. These explorations aim to create a more affirming and seamless experience for trans daters on Hinge.
Building Confidence Through Transparency
What if trans daters could feel more confident that their matches understood their identity?
One solution we explored was a pre-match confirmation feature that ensures users are aware they are matching with a trans dater. This extra step was designed to give trans users more comfort and confidence, while reducing the risk of being unmatched after disclosure.
To support different comfort levels, we also considered offering flexible options based on user preferences. Feedback from GLAAD highlighted how important it is for trans daters to have control over how and when they share their identity. That insight guided us to prioritize privacy and empowerment throughout the experience.
Expanding Preferences for More Intentional Matches
What if daters could express their openness to dating trans people within their preferences?
To create a more customized and inclusive experience, we explored adding expanded gender identity options and allowing users to specify the types of people they’re interested in. Rather than a simple yes-or-no choice, we aimed to develop a more nuanced approach—one that encourages openness while respecting individual preferences. This solution would help foster more authentic, intentional connections and reduce uncomfortable or mismatched interactions.
These design explorations aim to make Hinge a more inclusive, affirming, and secure space for trans daters. By expanding identity expression, fostering transparency, and refining preferences, we can help create more authentic and intentional connections. While these solutions won’t solve every challenge rooted in dating culture, they represent meaningful steps toward a more equitable online dating experience.
Designing for Belonging: Lessons in Inclusive UX
I am incredibly grateful to the entire design and research team at Hinge for this opportunity. The weeks I spent working alongside my colleagues were not only insightful but also deeply collaborative and purpose-driven.
From the start, this process challenged me to think critically about how design can foster inclusion—not just in theory but in real, tangible ways that impact people's lives. Through countless conversations, research deep dives, and iterative design explorations, I saw firsthand how small design choices can either reinforce exclusion or break down barriers to belonging.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ll carry forward is the power of co-creation—listening to those most impacted, engaging with advocacy groups like GLAAD, and working across disciplines to ensure that every decision was rooted in empathy and real-world needs. Designing for inclusivity isn’t just about offering more options; it’s about thoughtfully crafting experiences that make people feel seen, respected, and safe.
This experience has reinforced my belief that UX design can be a force for meaningful change, and I’m excited to bring this mindset into every project I take on moving forward.
Next Steps: Advancing Inclusion and Safety on Hinge
High-Impact Priorities: Clear Next Steps
Trauma-Informed Reporting – Update reporting features to be trauma-informed, providing clarity on the process and outcomes.
Gender Expression Enhancements – Ensure daters have inclusive and flexible options to fully and visibly express their gender.
Medium-Impact, Lower Lift: Actionable Improvements
LGBTQ+ Centered Onboarding – Implement insights from our trans usability audit and LGBTQ+ competitive analysis to improve the onboarding experience for LGBTQ+ daters.
Educational Moments – Collaborate with product and marketing to introduce educational moments that foster a healthier ecosystem for LGBTQ+ daters.
Further Exploration Needed: Ongoing Research & Iteration
Addressing Disparate Dating Journeys – Conduct deeper analyses to understand and mitigate biases in browsing behaviors.
Expanded Gender Filters – Further research and iteration to evaluate the benefits and risks of expanding gender filter options.
Mitigating Uncomfortable Encounters – Continue research and prototyping interventions to reduce uncomfortable interactions and improve safety.