According to a survey of OKCupid users, most singles, it seems, want to delete unwanted parts of their past: About half of Gen Z (54%) and Millennial (50%) singles say they have a good photo of themselves that they already wanted to delete an ex from. In light of this, the dating app has teamed up with AI photo editor Photoroom to launch the ‘Ex-Terminator’ tool, which allows users to erase their ex from their photos in just a few clicks.
It is a common experience to scroll through photo galleries and come across the presence of an ex-partner, triggering a series of complex emotions. However, understanding the feelings associated with these images is a step
fundamental in the process of overcoming and personal renewal.
When a romantic relationship comes to an end, it is common to take measures such as deleting photos with your ex from social media and stopping following their profile. This decision not only reflects a search for a fresh start, but can also be a way to shorten and minimize the breakup. After all, who has never noticed the absence of images of a couple on Instagram and quickly deduced that there had been a separation? Or have you ever found yourself looking at your own photos with your ex and regretting the breakup? Or did you even wish you had that photo of that special place, that incredible trip, but without your ex present?
In the past, we didn’t have many alternatives, either the photos were torn up and thrown away or they remained as a representation of a moment and the memory of an old love. Today, artificial intelligence tools emerge as a solution to rewrite our visual narrative.
On the other hand, the global average showed that around 51% of respondents expressed a desire to eliminate the presence of an ex in a photo, while 49% did not express this desire. This data reveals the division of opinions on the issue and the complexity of the emotions involved after a breakup.
With these solutions, we need to reflect and debate: should we really erase all traces of past love? How can this attitude influence the emotional healing process? Cutting out an ex-partner can represent a big step for many individuals in their post-breakup recovery process. For some, it is an act of reaffirming autonomy and control over their personal narrative.
With the help of AI-powered tools and image editors, the process of removing an ex-boyfriend has become more accessible. It is no longer necessary to be a technology expert, with in-depth knowledge of Photoshop and image editing, today’s tools offer more simplified features, allowing anyone to easily remove unwanted elements from their photographs.
The ‘Ex-terminator’ tool allows the preservation of the context and joy captured in the photos, without the presence of an ex-partner.
Studies indicate that exposure to visual reminders of past relationships can prolong emotional pain and inhibit individual growth. There is no right or wrong in this process, it all depends on the moment the person is in and how they want and prefer to face the separation.
In these cases, excluding the ex from an image is a way of giving new meaning to images and moments, attributing new perspectives to that record. Having a gallery that reflects present life, free from the shadow of past relationships, can strengthen individual identity and promote a renewed sense of independence.
In the survey conducted by OKCupid, the majority of participants (67%) indicated a preference for individual photos when asked about the type of photos they prefer to see on a dating app. This choice also suggests an appreciation of uniqueness and individuality when evaluating potential suitors in dating profiles.
The feature provided by the ‘Ex-Terminated’ tool is simple to use. With simple steps, users can upload images, select the unwanted object, and let the technology do the rest of the work. In a matter of minutes, the person is removed from the image, providing a new experience and memory aligned with the user’s present moment.
The decision to keep or delete photos with an ex-partner is a personal choice that should be made based on each person’s individual needs and emotional healing process. The partnership between Photoroom and OKCupid seeks to facilitate this process by offering a practical, accessible and fun tool with features that empower users to shape their visual narrative according to their personal desires, celebrating the present and embracing the future with confidence and happiness through renewed photos.
“Breaking up on your ex by deleting them from a good photo is about to become the new dating trend of the summer,” says Michael Kaye, head of Brand at OkCupid.
The overall percentage of people who want to delete an ex is higher in Brazil (47%) than in Mexico (46%) or anywhere in Europe, but lower than in the US (53%) and much lower than in the Philippines (74%), which leads the international classification. Brazil is in fifth place in this global ranking table, just ahead of Mexico and Australia and just behind Singapore.
“OKCupid users have already sent more than 100 million first messages in 2024, and nearly seven in 10 people on our app are looking for a long-lasting relationship. When it comes to preparing your dating app profile for new possibilities, the best option is to work in partnership with Photoroom to ensure that your exes don’t get in the way of good photos”, concludes Michael Kaye.
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