Anyone tried retargeting on Dating App Advertising Networks?

I’ve been running dating app campaigns for a while, and one thing that kept bugging me early on was how fast users dropped off after installing the app. You get them in through a decent ad, they swipe around for a day or two, then vanish. That’s when I started wondering—am I missing something with retargeting?At first, I didn’t even think dating app traffic could really benefit from retargeting. It felt like one of those things that works for eCommerce—cart abandoners, product reminders, all that stuff—but not for something as emotionally driven as dating apps. But when installs started getting pricey and engagement was low, I had to rethink that.So, I started digging into different Dating App Advertising Networks that supported retargeting. What surprised me was how many networks actually offered it, but in slightly different ways. Some focused on pushing re-engagement ads (like reminding users to come back to the app), while others helped you reach lookalike audiences of users who already engaged.At first, I tried using the built-in ad options that came with Facebook and Google. They were simple enough—you drop a pixel, track user actions, and set up retargeting ads. It worked okay for awareness, but the conversion side didn’t move much. Dating audiences can be flaky; they might click, but that doesn’t mean they’ll actually create a meaningful profile or start chatting.Then I tested a couple of smaller ad networks that were more niche—ones that focus specifically on dating verticals. The difference was noticeable. The traffic quality wasn’t always higher, but the intent seemed better. It’s like those users were already in the mindset of looking for dating-related content, so when they saw my retargeting ad, it clicked (literally and figuratively).Here’s one thing I realized early: retargeting for dating apps isn’t just about pushing the install again. It’s more about re-engaging people who already showed interest but didn’t finish what they started. Maybe they signed up but didn’t verify their email, or they opened the app once and never came back. Those are golden opportunities for retargeting.Another mistake I made early on was using generic creatives for everyone. You can’t show the same “find your match today” ad to someone who already installed the app—it just doesn’t make sense. Retargeting ads work better when you personalize the message a bit. For example, I started running “Still looking for someone nearby?” type ads for dormant users, and the response rate doubled.One more interesting thing I noticed was how timing affects results. Retarget too soon, and users might feel bombarded. Wait too long, and they’ve already moved on to another app. For me, the sweet spot was around 3–5 days after their last interaction. It was just enough time to remind them without being annoying.I won’t say I’ve cracked the perfect formula yet, but I did find that mixing different networks worked best. I’d use Facebook Ads for top-of-funnel and initial retargeting, then a dating-focused ad network for more contextual re-engagement. Combining both helped balance reach and intent.If you’re wondering where to start, I’d recommend checking out a list like this one on  Best Retargeting Ad Platforms for Dating App Advertisers . It gives a good overview of networks that actually perform well in this niche.From my experience, smaller dating-specific ad networks might not have the same volume as Google or Meta, but they understand the audience better. They know what kind of messaging, timing, and placement works for dating verticals. It’s like working with someone who “gets” your crowd instead of forcing your campaign into a one-size-fits-all platform.If you’re just starting out, here’s a tip—don’t pour all your budget into retargeting right away. Test small. Run a few creative variations, monitor engagement rates, and track how many users return to your app after seeing the ad. It takes a bit of trial and error, but once you find your rhythm, it’s worth it.For me, retargeting became one of those “quietly powerful” strategies. It doesn’t always bring flashy numbers overnight, but it helps sustain your active user base. And for dating apps, that’s everything. New installs matter, sure, but active, engaged users are what make the platform work.So yeah, if you’ve been ignoring retargeting because you thought it only made sense for eCommerce, maybe give it another shot. Test a few Dating App Advertising Networks, play around with messaging, and see what clicks. You might be surprised how much a simple reminder ad can do to bring your old users back to the mix.