Grindr founder Joel Simkhai is still not done with the gay dating app ecosystem, as the tech entrepreneur recently launched Motto, a new spin on the location-based social networking and online dating app that he helped revolutionize.
Simkhai founded Grindr in 2009 and would become a transformative force in society and a social phenomenon, as well as one of the first geosocial apps for gay men. The app's association with gay hookup culture and casual sex put it at the center of censorship discussions; it was also cited in several issues concerning racism and discrimination in the past.
According to Fast Company, Simkhai launched Grindr in order to mingle with gay people in Los Angeles. They had no idea it would grow to 13 million monthly users by 2020 and become a global symbol for gender equality. Simkhai sold the app to Beijing Kunlun Tech for a total of $245 million in 2018. In 2020, the app was resold for $608.5 million.
Simkhai appears to have left some unfinished business when he launched Motto, a new sex-positive matchmaking app for gay and queer hookups and casual dating. Following reports, this new app will be substantially different from other dating apps in that it will show users five to ten profiles per day rather than an endless 'who's nearby?' mechanism.
More About Motto
The app is now available on Google Play and is labeled 'Gay & Queer Hookups,' but it is said to be more of a high-quality matchmaking experience because it will verify every application. How does this feature improve the app?
In an interview with Gizmodo, Simkhai stated that the app's goal is to build an experience that allows people to stand for themselves and be comfortable putting themselves out there, also adding that users should represent themselves like a statement, much like a motto.
The founder of the dating app also stated that he hopes to simulate the real experience of dating in the app by having users first look at faces. The app's description even stated, 'No headless torsos,' a direct reference to the prevalent blank faceless accounts on dating apps like Grindr.
"That's just not the experience that we wanted. We really wanted to streamline the experience. One of the complaints that we heard over and over again is these headless torsos or blank profiles," says Simkhai.
Motto is described in official news releases as a free, membership-based app that was developed and designed with the help of thousands of gay and queer people from various backgrounds across the country. Motto also emphasizes profile quality, personalization, verification, and fostering rich interaction among members.
Every profile and photo in the app is checked for authenticity and verified. Members won't see any blank profiles or headless torsos because each profile must have three face images. Motto contends that requiring face photos will encourage users to be more kind and genuine with one another and also be proud of their beautiful faces.
For more information about the app, visit Motto's official website.
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