Hi everyone,
I’ve created a dating app that was released on the App Store this weekend.
Instead of photos, you decide whether someone is likable based on their voice introduction. Even after a match, only voice messages can be sent at first. Profile pictures become visible and text messaging is unlocked only after the total length of exchanged voice messages reaches 10 minutes.
I’m curious about your thoughts — do you think people will be open to something like this?
In today’s world, where many are tired of heavily filtered photos and staged poses, I believe it could be refreshing to hear a real person — their voice and the way they speak — instead.
Of course, the app is fully accessible and designed for everyone, with a user experience that aims to be enjoyable regardless of background or ability.
I’d greatly appreciate your feedback on the concept of voice-based dating and on the app itself.
You can download it here:
[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/soundate/id6753748383](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/soundate/id6753748383)
Comments
I think this is a great idea
I think this is a great idea for everyone. Not just for blind division impaired people. I mean that’s how I know people I’m totally blind so I’ve literally never seen any of my friends so it gives you more an idea of who some is cause you can go by how they treat you versus like how they look and I think that’s a lot more valuable. Great idea. I’m not looking for anybody right now, but I still think it’s great.
Interesting
Congrats on the release, this sounds interesting. A few questions though. Is this app mainly for US? Or would you be able to interact with people from other countries? Could you explain more about what are the inn-app purchaces? I.e, what does premium gives you? Ligetning voice? Do you need to be subscribed in order to use the app?
Re: Interesting
Hi! Thanks for the questions. Not only the US — in fact, I’m European, so the primary target audience will be here. However, the app will naturally show users people who are nearby.
I’ve included premium features, but they do not affect the core usability of the app. Messaging is not restricted for anyone, and users cannot purchase boosted visibility.
The premium features include options such as simulating a different city, allowing you to discover people who are farther away from you. You can also change a previous decision, so if you rejected someone earlier, you can later choose to like them instead.
The biggest advantage for premium members relates to profile photo unlocking: for them, the other person’s profile picture becomes available after 5 minutes of exchanging voice messages.
This is a great idea.
This is a great idea. How are you marketing it? and would you be marketing to people in Australia?
Thanks
Thanks everyone for the comments!
Unfortunately, there will always be scammers. AI-generated images can’t be filtered out 100%, and if someone uses another person’s photo, that’s even harder to detect. One clear advantage here, though, is that using someone else’s voice introduction is a thousand times harder than using their photo.
I developed the app on my own over the past six months, so I don’t have an unlimited — especially not a global — marketing budget. But that’s not the goal anyway. I’m not trying to compete with Tinder. If it reaches local communities and a few thousand people use it, and even a few dozen couples find each other through it, I’ll already be happy. :)
If you know of any local channels or forums where people would welcome a photo-free, slightly more personal dating app, I’d really appreciate it if you shared it.
Please consider this version as a first release — because it is. Version 1.0 only became available this weekend. My current goal is mainly to collect feedback about the voice-based concept itself, as well as about the app in general.
Right now, my focus is on iterating and refining the app, and making it available on Google Play soon.
After that, I’ll be able to move beyond this MVP stage based on the feedback I gather from you and other users.
going to give it a spin
going to try it out myself to see how it is :) especially since i am single to :)
an observation
greetings ozera, i just got my profile established in the app and my audio intro done. when i was setting specific distance after allowing my location, it said the distances in kilometers instead of miles. in the next update will the app be able to appropriately addapt since i am in the US?
Android
Do you have plans to bring this to Android? This is an interesting concept, so I'll have to dig out my iPhone 11 I barely use since I'm primarily an Android user with a Pixel 7. I'll give this a try, but I mainly want to meet people near me, and I doubt this is going to work unless the user base significantly expands. My concern is only blind people will gravitate to a system like this, but I wish you the best of luck.
Location status
Hello, I just downloaded the app and create it a profile. However, it shows me that there is no user found in my current location. Is there a way for me to change my location if I have to pay for it? Also, where is the location that had users right now?
Ansvers
Once again, thank you all for the interest!
Like every dating app at launch, I’m facing the classic “zero problem”: not enough users. 🙂 For now, I’d kindly ask you not to purchase Premium just for the teleport feature. I could mention a few cities where there are already more users — but even there, the numbers are still not high enough.
I’d appreciate a bit of patience — please check back later. Or even better, if you know any local channels, forums, groups, or mailing lists where it might make sense to share the app, please send them my way. The faster we grow, the more enjoyable the experience will be for everyone.
Miles instead of kilometers:
I will definitely implement this — the development is already halfway done. Thanks a lot for pointing it out!
Android:
The Android version is progressing very well; I’m currently running internal tests. Soon, I’ll be looking for external testers as well. If you’re interested, please join this Google Group where I’ll share details and the download link:
https://groups.google.com/g/csrds
Ignore Doll Eye
Doll Eye speaks only for themself. Grand pronouncements, sweeping statements, supposed declarations of supposed universal truths hoping to make others think they speak for all, but they do not, as we all know. Oh, of course they are entitled to speak their opinions, but only their own. We all know they do not speak for anyone else, except possibly those very few who chime in afterwords to let you know they might agree with this or that.
Joy!
Let me just say
Let me just say that I think this is a great concept, I will have to wait until it comes to android as I am switching over, but I’ll be very eager to try it out. If there’s anyway that I can help promote this while they’re posting it on Mass on or other forms of social media, please let me know.
Location, Location, Location
Hello,
At this early stage, it may be wise to take a global approach rather than showing people that there are no people in their area, as that can be discouraging. You can still show where a user is from, but I wouldn't use that to limit reach for now.
Also, a method of verification that might be hard to fake could be a voice matching system. Think something like the hey siri setup process for iOS, where you have to repeat a few phrases live. Then, the voice in your introduction has to match the other samples you provided.
Just a thought! I realize this would be complicated to implement.
Global or Country Reach
I agree with the person that suggested a global setting, especially right now when there aren't very many users. Either that, or maybe a country setting in addition? For example, I want to find women in the United States specifically since that's where I live.
Just downloaded this
Hi,
A very interesting concept indeed, just downloaded this app and set up a profile. Very smooth all the way, although not sure how I feel about the Emoji part if I'm honest, but that's probably because I don't use them all that much.
I guess for me the issue first is what's already been mentioned multiple times, that's the number of users, but outside of advertising, the only way this can improve is posting it in groups, websites and anywhere else that your target audience might be hanging around really. I will keep it and see how it develops certainly, and as I'm looking, I might as well have another option.
@@Doll Eye
Thank you for clarifying your intentions, Doll Eye, although I had assumed your remarks were not intended to be as parental and lecturing as they sounded.
"You" statements are a large part of problems in inter personal communication. This you will learn in counseling, if you haven't already. Statements such as, "you need to narrow the scope, be more specific in targeted in user base. You will need to take out advertising but to build the user numbers you could start with European Capital cities and spread from there," sound more like instructions than suggestions. . You might want to use "I suggest" instead of "you need to".
Parental: "your current request for us to do your advertising for you won't work. Showing someone a cool app you've found is one thing asking others to use it where dating is the intended outcome comes with all sorts of baggage."
Lecturing: "It sounds like you've got an interesting app, but without considered marketting, it's dead in the water."
Parental: "Sorry to be so frank about this. You've obviously put a lot of effort into developing the app. Unfortunately, the maxim, build it and they will come, in such a crowded market simply won't work."
Condescending authority figure: ""Also, if this is for a non-specific user base, you'd do well not to advertise it is accessibility first or anything similar. Be proud of that, but keep it in the background. When it comes to dating people are far more picky than their usual virtues would suggest."
I very rarely step in like this, Doll Eye. I see you have intelligence, so I'm hoping you will look for better ways to communicate, ways that don't sound like the sounds I heard, above.
It's OK, AppleVis. I'm done.
Joy!
Bruce
Bruce Harrell
OK, people need to step back and relax. This is an app and people will check it out or not. Long live cats.
Bruce & Doll Eye
Know what I think? I think the two of you should meet on Soundate, and go out for a cup of coffee. 😛
This already exist
This is nothing new. There are other apps just like this. And, there are actual phone lines where people can go and chat. If it’s acceptable, great. But I’m not 100% sure that this is any more beneficial than any other app. There needs to be dumb willingness to discuss what makes it different. Otherwise, why not just go on lava life or quest chat
Accessible apps
Noticed that when someone wants to present an app and make it accessible, people complained about this and that. One day developers will stop asking because what is the point. Instead of just checking it out or just saying is not for me, people jump all over it. Well people are free to express their views. Long live cats. Be safe all.
great idea
I really like this idea! I won't be using it as I am in a relationship, but it's something I've been saying we need for years! So much of dating apps is visual and I like the voice messages concept. Sorry for the backlash you're getting.
I wish they had a similar thing but for friends. I'll have to do some research.