In this episode of The GDI Podcast, we’re delighted to be joined by Gillian Myhill and Phil Beesley, Co-Founders of SIZZL.
They tell Senior Reporter Sean Nolan about how the dating app represents a cultural shift in online dating, encouraging users to engage with the app on their own terms.
With no push notifications and matches that don’t expire, SIZZL is looking to make the user experince more convenient, casual, and stress-free.
The GDI Podcast is sponsored by RealMe. RealMe can provide users
instant access to background information, helping more people make
genuine connections online, and off.
To learn how they can integrate seamlessly into your app, log on to therealme.com/dating and request a demo today.
CrimsonZip is a new mobile application for the university community at Harvard. It’s a social discovery app that combines exercise and social connections. Whether it is an intense work-out, an intro session to a new sport, or just a casual study break walk, the app is trying to encourage users to improve both their physical and mental health.
The app is rolling out this fall and currently aimed at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard College. The app will allow users to create and sign-up for a range of physical activities. More important than the activities themselves are who you do them with. That’s key to the psychology behind the app. It is hoped that by creating social connections, it will encourage the uptake and maintenance of healthy habits.
Richard Lee, professor of medicine and stem cell and regenerative biology, and co chair of the CrimsonZip program said:
“We’re not looking to turn everyone into long-distance runners, but if we can get 10 percent to 20 percent more activity from people — and then they stick with it — the implications for their lives will be substantial.”
Fostering social connections are just as important to living healthy lives as keeping active and physical. The app is rolling out at Harvard, but the minds behind it have their sights set on loftier goals, and will be making the software publicly available to be adopted elsewhere. Much like Facebook started in Harvard and spread, many social apps take this campus-like approach.
It’s by no means the first app targeted at combining physical and social activity. Apps like Strava, Stridekick, Stepbet, and Squaddy mix social aspects and the work-out world already. Apps that focus on a specific communities however that encourage a range of different levels of physical activity are potentially powerful and exciting. It could encourage those who would not normally, to get involved in the physical and mental benefits of exercise and friendship.
In the hyper-competitive world of dating, singles often worry that being themselves could be considered “cringe”. However a new study from Plenty of Fish has found that young people are embracing the cringe in order to find a meaningful relationship.
Plenty of Fish conducted a new study of single Gen Z and Millennial Americans, finding 74% agree that embracing their cringe will help them find their cringe counterpart.
The platform highlights that the younger generation is embracing authenticity, even at the risk of looking cringe in the eyes of society.
47% of respondents consider themselves to be more cringe than cool, while 73% agree that being true to themselves is an important step in getting to know a potential partner.
Seven in ten respondents said that they aren’t afraid to reveal things about themselves that might be considered cringe on a first date, with a similar number saying they’re open to matching with someone who is just as ‘cringey’ as they are on a dating app.
“In a world where so many people feel pressure to present an ultra-manicured version of themselves, we applaud singles saying yes to being more real,“ said Eva Gallagher, Public Relations Manager at Plenty of Fish.
“We’re all about encouraging people to show up as their true selves – especially when it comes to dating. Sometimes, we just need to get out of our own way, so let’s embrace the real us – the wonderful, awkward and sometimes cringey parts that make each of us unique”, Gallagher explained.
Behaviours that are traditionally seen to be ‘cringey’ – talking about fandoms, being upfront about dating intentions, and not playing hard to get – are now seen as cool by many young singles, Plenty of Fish shared.
Indian dating app flutrr has launched a platform to help singles and couples form stronger relationships. Named flutrrHearts, this new service will see expert counsellors providing advice and guidance on the dating journey.
The dating brand highlights that “relationship challenges are becoming more common” and that the modern dating landscape “seems to drive individuals apart while letting conflicts thrive”.
And now flutrrHearts is launching to combat this. “Seeking professional therapy for singles and couples can prove to be a transformative and essential step in resolving conflicts, fostering understanding, and strengthening the bond between partners”, it shared.
Interested users will receive their first 30 minute session for free, followed by 45 minutes follow up session or sessions worth INR 499 (USD $6.00)
flutrrHearts has shared the profiles of its counsellors on its website, highlighting that they have relevant qualifications, including licensed marriage and family therapists, psychologists, social workers, and certified relationship coaches.
It reassured users that “seeking counselling is not a sign of weakness but a testament to an individual’s commitment to emotional growth and paving the ground for a stronger relationship”.
Global Dating Insights is pleased to release the photos taken at our London conference!
Taking place in The Dilly hotel on Thursday 14th September, GDI was joined by a raft of exceptional speakers, including happn, Feeld, Smitten, Taimi, Hily, and more!
It was a fantastic event and we were so happy to return to London. We are now really looking forward to our next conferences in 2024, including events in New York, London, and more.
Please keep your eyes on the GDI website and social pages for the video highlights which will be released very soon.
Thank you to the conference sponsors for making the event possible.
