feels - Dating App with Personal Profiles

Introducing Feels: A Novel Approach to Dating Apps

Feels is a recently established French startup aiming to redefine the user experience within the dating app landscape. The company posits that conventional methods of profile browsing – involving scrolling through photographs and reading textual descriptions – often prove to be unengaging.

Addressing Industry Stagnation

“The dating app industry has experienced a relative lack of innovation over the past decade,” explains Daniel Cheaib, co-founder and CEO. “A primary reason for app uninstalls is the inherent boredom associated with the experience. Profiles frequently present a uniform appearance, resembling a product catalog more than a platform for connection.”

Cheaib’s assessment encompasses not only Tinder but also similar platforms like Bumble and Happn, which share comparable characteristics.

Iterative Development and User Retention

The Feels team dedicated two years to refining the app, meticulously analyzing user behavior to optimize its functionality. With retention rates now meeting expectations, the company is poised for a broader launch.

Rethinking the Dating Profile

Creating a compelling user experience necessitates a fundamental reimagining of the dating profile. This proved to be the most challenging aspect of the app’s development.

Initial onboarding completion rates stood at just 30%. Through continuous improvement, this figure has risen to approximately 75%.

A Profile as a Dynamic Story

Profiles on Feels diverge significantly from the norm, resembling dynamic stories or TikTok posts. Users can incorporate videos, text, stickers, photographs, and responses to questions, fostering a more expressive representation of themselves.

“Upon completing the onboarding process, users are presented with consistent profiles showcasing authentic content shared by others,” Cheaib states.

Inclusivity and Interaction Design

Like many modern dating applications, Feels offers a wide range of gender identity options, extending beyond traditional binary choices. Users can customize their profile visibility based on specific criteria.

The app also departs from the conventional swipe-based interaction model. Instead of left/right swipes or thumbs up/down, Feels encourages a more nuanced approach.

Moving Beyond Binary Choices

Traditional dating apps often present a binary choice, demanding rapid micro-decisions. This can lead to feelings of negativity, even subconsciously, as users repeatedly reject potential matches.

On Feels, profiles occupy the full screen, with videos automatically playing and showcasing the user’s interests and personality. Users can react to content or simply swipe up to proceed, eliminating the need for a “like” or “heart” button.

Securing Seed Funding

Having demonstrated promising progress, Feels secured $1.3 million (€1.1 million) in funding from a diverse group of business angels. This includes investors associated with Atomico, as well as notable individuals like Blaise Matuidi, Eric Besson, René Ricol, Ricardo Pereira, Yohan Benalouane, Nampalys Mendy, Julien Radic and Jean Michel Chami.

Growth Strategy and Monetization

Feels intends to expand its user base through organic TikTok content, television advertising, and other marketing initiatives. The company aims to reach one million users by year-end, with a primary focus on the French market. Currently, the app boasts 100,000 users.

Monetization is being explored through a premium subscription model offering enhanced features. The company remains in an iterative phase regarding this aspect.

A Bold Vision for the Future of Dating

Feels is entering a highly competitive market, but its commitment to product development prior to aggressive user acquisition sets it apart. This ambitious strategy holds significant potential, potentially leading to a genuinely innovative dating app experience.