Dating apps have become enshittified and is why they are so ineffective. However, there is a huge opportunity for improvement. The core hypothesis my app is: a pay-per-mutual-match model that aligns user and app incentives. The mutual financial investment also makes users more likely to engage once they match.
My app doesn’t rely on complex algorithms or AI for matchmaking, as they perpetuate biases. Instead, I use a transparent system where users fill out a detailed questionnaire, and I match them based on their answers using SQL queries.
The app is built with open source software (Docker, Django, Flutter, and more!), so no vendor lock-in. This is the first app I ever made so it has been an incredible learning experience.
Ask me anything about my app, Qtpi, my tech stack, or my journey!
Yes, those are excellent points. I have thought about that and the implementation for the following is in the works:
If you’re familiar with the web of trust like in gpg or other networks, it’s basically transitive trust. If user A trusts user B and user B trusts user C then user A trusts user C.
I am going to have the ability for users to verify each other when they meet in person. It essentially says, “this person matches their profile”.
The next level of trust is “connect” which is analogous to casual friends and acquaintances. So if you meet someone but you don’t fit, you can connect and give some “social proof” that this person is alright. Or you can do it for your coworkers or whatever.
The final level is “trust”. It is for close friends, close family, etc. It gives stronger indication for this user.
All of these can then be recorded in a graph database. Then when a women (for example) matches with a man, they can see how many people verified, connected, trusted the user and how many “edges/degrees of separation” they have with this user. This means that a friend of a friend could put the user more at ease. Or if at least a handful of users verified the profile, there is less chance of a catfish, etc.
Yes, that graph sort of thing is exactly something I’ve imagined before. I think it has potential. Assuming you have users, that is.
Thank you! Yes, I think it has potential too. I do hope that I am able to get users. That will be the crux of the problem. I’m going to start trying to market and get college students to try it out. We will see. Hopefully it goes well.