Coffee Meets Bagel 2.0 wants to make online dating feel less exhausting

Online dating was meant to make finding love easier. Instead, for many singles today, it’s become a cycle of endless swiping, conversations that fizzle out before they go anywhere and wondering whether the person on the other side of the screen is even real.

Recognising this growing sense of dating fatigue, Coffee Meets Bagel Worldwide (CMB) has unveiled CMB 2.0, the dating app’s biggest refresh to date.

Rather than focusing on helping users rack up more matches, the update introduces features aimed at improving the dating experience itself, from encouraging better conversations and helping users transition to real life dates, to making the platform safer through stronger identity verification.

The early results suggest users are embracing the changes. Since the first phase of the redesign began rolling out in June 2026, CMB says it has seen a 30% increase in messages sent alongside likes and a 21% increase in average profile viewing time, pointing to more thoughtful interactions across the platform.

Helping you become a better dater

At the heart of CMB 2.0 is a simple question: how can people become better at dating, instead of simply spending more time on dating apps?

“We asked ourselves one question: how do we help people become better at dating, not just spend more time on dating?” said Shn Juay, CEO of CMB Worldwide.

According to Shn, people who successfully build meaningful relationships often have two things in common. They learn how to communicate well and they’re willing to keep an open mind instead of sticking to an ever growing checklist of “must haves”.

“No one is a professional dater by themselves,” she said. “These are skills that you pick up along the way.”

To help users put their best foot forward, CMB has introduced several new features. One of them is Headlines, an editable profile prompt that lets users share something that’s happening in their lives at the moment, whether it’s an upcoming holiday, a random thought or a personal goal. The idea is to make profiles feel more authentic, giving potential matches an easier conversation starter.

The app has also rolled out AI powered conversation suggestions. Rather than writing messages for users, the feature offers personalised prompts inspired by someone’s profile, encouraging more thoughtful first messages while still allowing users to write in their own voice. According to CMB, most users use the suggestions as inspiration rather than copying them word for word.

Getting matches off the app

Another major addition aims to solve one of online dating’s biggest frustrations: conversations that never actually become dates.

The new Real Dates feature nudges users to take the next step by suggesting a time to meet. Instead of awkwardly trying to coordinate schedules over chat, one user can suggest three date options while the other simply chooses the one that works best.

Jason Teo, Head of Product at Coffee Meets Bagel, said the feature is designed to gently encourage users to stop endlessly messaging and start meeting face to face.

“We strongly believe at the end of the day you need to be going out to meet real people and have real dates,” he said. “Please leave the app.”

It’s an approach that stands in contrast to the common perception that dating apps are built to keep users scrolling for as long as possible.

A Singapore first for safer dating

Beyond helping users make better connections, CMB is also doubling down on safety.
The platform says it is the first dating app in Singapore to integrate Singpass verification, allowing users to verify their identity through Singapore’s national digital identity system.

Combined with selfie verification, which has already been adopted by 81% of users within just three months, the new measures aim to make it easier to identify genuine profiles while reducing the risk of catfishing.

Behind the scenes, AI is also working to detect fake profiles, suspicious sign ups and inappropriate first messages before they ever reach users. According to Rachel Tee, Head of Trust and Safety, approximately eight in 10 bad actors are removed before interacting with anyone on the platform.

The moderation system doesn’t just look out for scams either. It also flags inappropriate opening messages that may be acceptable between friends but are unsuitable when sent to complete strangers, helping to create a more respectful dating environment.

The future of dating is quality over quantity

While AI powered features and stronger identity verification may be among CMB 2.0’s biggest additions, the company says the goal isn’t to replace genuine human connection with technology.

Instead, it’s about removing some of the biggest barriers that make modern dating feel exhausting in the first place. Whether it’s helping users start better conversations, encouraging them to meet sooner or making it easier to trust the person they’re speaking to, CMB hopes the future of online dating will be defined not by more matches, but by more meaningful ones.