Agreed. The language partner community on Italki is quiet as is. The new community format will make the community section even quieter. Not very user friendly. Site is still great for paid tutors, but the new community section makes it inconvenient.

Hello all. I have teachers on this platform who are really good. But I can find reachers elsewhere if necessary. The language exchange partners were the most valuable part for me, particularly since I could be very specific about my needs. Without this feature I shall probably convert to other sites. I have already deleted the app from my phone but I still have it on my tablet for the time being. Usually sites make improvements with upgrades. Italki is among the few who have devolved.

I think the getting rid of searching for a language partner is the right thing of italki to do. This get rid of People who are treating this like a friend finder with language learning as disguise. Looking at the community members' post and if that resonates, interact with them, and if they follow you back and can further interact or via private message, that's still a language partner, and a better ones.