HACKER Q&A
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Thoughts on a Patreon-Style Crowdfunded Dating App?


Hi HN community,

I recently launched a unique dating app that's gaining traction, especially in Africa.

My app features video-based profiles and an AI chatbot assistant for user onboarding, enhancing the user experience right from the start.

One idea I was considering is incorporating a Patreon-style crowdfunding model.

This could allow users to support the app's development and access premium features, helping sustain and grow the platform while keeping it accessible and free to use.

Given our current success (most of our users are women, and the app is going viral in parts of Africa), I'd love to get your thoughts on this crowdfunding approach.

* Do you think a Patreon-style model makes sense for a dating app?

* What potential benefits or challenges do you foresee?

* How would you feel about supporting an app like this through crowdfunding?

Looking forward to your insights and feedback and if you’d like to try the app it's available on both the App Store and Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.realdatingapp.rn

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/real-dating-app-video-a-i/id6504808371

Thanks!

  👤 talldayo Accepted Answer ✓
Just call it what it is. You're not selling a "Patreon" model (where the platform mediates transactions) but a subscription service, where you are paid on a regular basis. Using other businesses (especially markedly different ones) as a point of comparison will scare your potential customers away.

As for paid dating apps... well, plenty of those exist already. If your app is free right now, I would not expect the majority of your current userbase to start paying for features.

👤 MilnerRoute
I was half-expecting you to come up with some clever incentives for your donors. (Like, "If you donate this much money, we'll have a professional dating couch give you feedback on your profile." Or "We'll have a celebrity read your profile, and tell you what they think!")

Professional photographers taking profile pics? Early access to new profiles? Prioritization for your responses? I guess I'm thinking if you're trying to do crowdfunding, it helps to have an unusual idea that gets people talking, maybe making it go viral in a news story... Or at least, something fun enough to get someone to chip in some money...