How many swipes to the right does it take until we finally find "the one?"
Trying to find true love using dating apps that focus on swiping is close to impossible. Sure, good looks is always a plus, but what women really want is someone they can connect with on a deeper level.
Apps like Tinder and Bumble are so played out at this point, and can seem useless for those looking for something more meaningful than getting played into a quick hook-up. Now, women can take better control of — and bring some new excitement to — their dating lives by using the Catch, the new dating app that matches women with men based on their personalities.
The Catch emphasizes on the gaming aspect of the dating game, allowing women to feel like they are starring in their own episode of The Bachelorette (hey, if it worked for Kaitlyn, it could work for us!).
"I grew tired of downloading all these dating apps that basically provided the same function — swipe if he's hot," said the Catch founder Shannon Ong. "I needed more than looks. I wanted personality. So I created a cross between The Dating Game and The Bachelorette where 'ladies' can meet 'gents.'"
Here's how the Catch works: the woman is presented with four "contestants" that are picked as a potential match based on their information from Facebook and any additional info they provide on their account. The user then chooses three questions to ask her suitors. The men's answers remain anonymous so that they are picked based on what the woman feels is the most compatible personality. This also means men won't be rejected solely on how they look.
Who better than to serve as an adviser during the app's development than former Bachelorette contestant Chris Bukowski? With his previous experience with competing against other men to win the heart of a woman, plus his passion for apps and the digital space, it seems like the perfect fit.
"I honestly haven't been on many dating apps in the past. I've used Tinder for a bit, but it wasn't for me," Bukowski told Tech Times. "I feel like those apps are more about either hooking up or getting someone that's actually not the person that's on the profile. The Catch gives the female control in ways to really bring out personalities in different men and maybe go out on a date with someone that actually has a personality, some kind of character behind them and someone who they actually would want to go on a date with."
Then, there's the whole game aspect of it, which keeps things interesting.
After getting the answers, the user narrows it down until she finds her winner. The users can then privately chat in hopes that they will set up a date.
"It's kind of like The Bachelorette. Who's getting a rose, who's not getting a rose, so you better come up with your best answer or else you won't get that date," Bukowski said. "From a guy's perspective, you're kind of vying for that girl. Guys are competitive, they are going to bring their A-game, so you're going to want to take the time to answer in detail."
The Catch launched on Thursday for iOS in San Francisco and Los Angeles, with Bukowski revealing the team has plans to launch it in more cities every three months. Good thing, since there is already a waiting list for users who are looking to be part of the next wave of roll-outs.
How does this Bachelor franchise alumni feel about combining love and technology?
"For me, I feel like the Internet in general — and obviously me being on TV — has ruined the whole dating aspect, real-life dating, real conversation. I just feel like everyone is so into being on their phones, and romance has faded a little bit because of it," he said. "But at the same time, I also feel like technology gives us more opportunity to meet someone that we might not have met without it."
"If there are more opportunities to find that perfect someone, why not?"
Users in the San Francisco Bay Area and some areas in Southern California who want to take a leap can download the Catch for iOS for free, or sign up for the waitlist for other cities on the app's website.
Of course, as Bachelor fans, we had to ask Chris who he thinks Ben Higgins will choose.
"I don't think he picks JoJo," he said.
