Yeah, I'm a programmer and I've got the itch to create one. DEAL with it! 😝
That said, open to suggestions...I realize that most dating apps have--shall we say--less than desirable people on it, but I'm concerned more about the way the platform operates.
For me, I think the dating app world is a hodgepodge of garbage. I've been on a lot of the common ones (and I'm willing to pay for one), But most of them are strictly an app--no web interface, and fully closed source and a privacy nightmare...or online but they block you if you even think about using a VPN (because obviously only criminals use VPNs).
So from a technical standpoint REST-based dating apps are best, because it can start on the web (and remain on the web), then a smartphone app could be built on top of it. Then again, my aim isn't to digitally violate my users, so I've probably lost that game. 🤣
So, what about you folks? What would your ideal dating app look like?
Make everyone verify their photos. There really is no upside to having unverified people. And it should help cut down on the cat phishing that’s going around.
Don’t make people pay for a subscription and then have to pay more to interact with other people. Bumble does this with compliments and it’s annoying.
If you do swiping, in addition to undoing swiping left, let us undo swiping right. Sometimes we mistakenly swipe right when we meant to scroll. It sucks giving people on the other end false hope, just to end up being ignored.
One thing I really hate (and love) about bumble is that it uses your current location to show you people nearby. The one thing I hate about that is I can’t say only search where people live, so I get a lot of people who live out of state but may be visiting nearby (it also sucks because I live near an airport). Having the option to switch between two different location searches (proximity and living location) would be a game changer.
One thing bumble does right that I haven’t seen anywhere else is that they have their app split into three states: dating, friends, and business. I don’t use the business side, but I’d like to see more apps cater to helping people find legit friends too.
Also I’m a programmer as well, and if you’re interested, I’d love to help. I’ve been tinkering with the idea of a friend finding app myself.
Thanks! I might toy with this idea, but it'll be a while. Have been struggling to pay for groceries for the last 3 years--been looking nonstop for work. Once I get to a stable spot I'll see about doing it.
Great ideas, BTW. I love your insights!