Viber Dating Continues To Grow One Year After Launch
Rakuten Viber, the cross-platform voice-call and instant messaging app, has been seeing success with its Viber Dating features. Launched in select markets in early 2025 and expanded across Southeast Asia and Europe, Viber Dating combines discovery with ongoing communication in one ecosystem. This addresses a common issue in standalone dating apps, where matches often shift to separate messaging tools, reducing activity on the original platform.
Viber originally pushed new dating features back in early 2025, marking over a year since the introduction. Between then and now, the dating tools have seen rapid and steady adoption – the platform reports that 46% of users initiate chats within an hour of matching, and user numbers are clearly high given that Viber Dating is seeing ongoing support. A partnership with Women’s Run PH this year also helped to spread awareness of the platform to over 16,000 runners at the event.
The feature emphasizes safety and privacy. Viber uses photo verification, hybrid AI and human moderation for account screening, and built-in protections such as screenshot blocking and separation of dating profiles from regular contacts. According to Viber’s 2026 global study on modern dating, privacy ranks as the top priority for users.
Viber Chief Product Officer Nadav Melnick noted that users already rely on the app for family, friends, and work communication, making dating a natural extension. The company aims to facilitate connections that progress from online matching to offline experiences while maintaining security.
Viber intends for the update to bridge to real-world interactions. Localized campaigns in markets like the Philippines and Vietnam have offered incentives for in-person meetups, including vouchers and event partnerships, and the app has also supported offline events such as Women’s Run PH in Cebu. Future plans include personalized feeds and enhanced discovery methods beyond traditional swiping – which makes sense, given the platform’s nature as a social tool first.
