Video Dating

An attempt to cut small-talk

When I launched Dinner Club in 2020, some of my friends wanted me to put it on Product Hunt. But I had no clue what it was. It was only recently that I really started exploring PH, and I found a treasure trove of dating apps on it. Unsurprisingly, most of them are no longer active (more about that in a future newsletter). But I noticed a few trends, and I want to talk about one particular trend in this edition of the newsletter - video-enabled dating.

Disruptions

In the last decade, one of the big disruptions in the dating industry was swiping. This new feature did two big things for the industry:

• It made using dating apps intuitive, and hence, increased adoption

• It created an illusion of infinite choices, and hence, increased engagement

From a user perspective, swiping is mindless and the journey to an actual date can be incredibly long. Once the novelty of this technology began wearing off, users realised that these apps didn’t significantly improve either their chances of actually dating someone or provide the dopamine hits they previously did during the discovery phase.

This has led to some of the more ambitious users building out new solutions, not just for themselves but for the whole community. Most of these solutions are pro-anti-swiping. While we may not have the next big thing yet, having been an observer of the market for most of the last decade, I have a feeling we are nearing another round of disruption in this industry.

No more swiping

As I was scouring through the hundreds of dating apps that are out there in the market, I found a few that interesting user experiences. I don’t know if any of them will ever be as big as a Tinder or a Bumble, but they are most definitely laying the foundation for the next round of disruptions.

Blindlee

Users go on a 3-minute blurred video experience with someone random matching their criteria. Women control the blur and there are fun ice-breakers to talk about (or not). If both liked the call, a match happens. Ice-breaker done.

This UK-based app is trying to create a safe virtual dating experience for the not so faint-hearted. Going on 3-min video dates is non-trivial for someone who is on the app for “time pass”. Over a period of time, as the matching quality improves, I can see how this might be a quick and dirty way to meet new people more efficiently.

Chorus

We’re a matchmaking app creating real, authentic connections. There's no swiping for yourself—we're over that. On Chorus, your friends swipe for you. We also pair you on 5 min video dates with people who meet your preferences. Dating should be fun, not lonely.

This US-based app is trying to address both the loneliness associated with being single as well as reducing friction in dating. A 5-min video date with someone picked out by your close friends can be far more exciting than trying to initiate a text conversation with a stranger after swiping 100 times yourself. As for your friends, they get yet another app to be addicted to while playing a part if your love life.

Filter Off

Filter Off is a video speed dating app that offers location and interest-based virtual speed dating events and a matchmaker service that connects singles on curated virtual dates.

This US-based app, that is also now gaining popularity in India, is trying to shorten the journey to a physical date while addressing the illusion of infinite choices, three curated virtual dates at a time. This app also allows private matchmakers to run speed dating events.

For dating apps to be successful, values, design and scale are equally important. I don’t know if and when any of these apps will achieve all three soon enough, but they’re definitely laying the groundwork for the next round of disruption in the dating and matchmaking industry.

If you’ve used any of these apps, I’d love to hear about your experience.

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Sneak peak into what I’m reading/ watching/ listening to:

• Dating Contracts - relationship contracts are essential, but I believe they evolve over time. I don’t full understand the impact of having them on paper.

• The Crisis of Loneliness - the profound insight from this podcast was how our emotional states impact our physical states and vice-versa.

• How Your Attachment Style Affects Your Relationships

• Shapely Gal song of the month: Party never ends by Alok and Quintino