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Google Play store bans polyamory dating app

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Re: Google Play store bans polyamory dating app

#3

Having never owned a smart phone I am curious if you need an app for this, or could you simply have an old school forum and people visit it on their phones browser? Is that even feasible? Too much friction?

Ease of use. Just as most people in the dating scene these days use apps ala Tinder, Match, eHarmony, Her, Bumble, &c this was just a service that specifically catered to those looking to be in poly relationships or to be part of a community of like-minded people (they had overall community experiences built in as well).

This allowed you to have separate accounts searching as a solo, double, or as a couple as well as built in chat and matching systems, traditional apps and forums are not exactly well poised for searching nor focused enough for these sort of relationships especially as most people are against* polyamory in most cases. Most typical forums on the subject only cater to the sexual aspect, even if not intended, and tend to bring in less than stellar users. This was an attempt to focus more on the relationship aspect (definitely more than the approved Grindr)

There certainly needs to be an app in this space.

Re: Google Play store bans polyamory dating app

#5

Having never owned a smart phone I am curious if you need an app for this, or could you simply have an old school forum and people visit it on their phones browser? Is that even feasible? Too much friction?

>Having never owned a smart phone I am curious if you need an app for this

Yes. No smartphone will make people think you're a creep. /somewhat s

Re: Google Play store bans polyamory dating app

#6
This is the dangerous flip side to having two players be the gatekeepers as to what can and cannot be an app (yes, I'm aware on android apps can be installed outside google play technically... but the audience is tiny).

With Parler, for example, I remember reading tons of posts in support of taking the app down. But that same process can be easily used to silence apps like these.

Re: Google Play store bans polyamory dating app

#7

This is the dangerous flip side to having two players be the gatekeepers as to what can and cannot be an app (yes, I'm aware on android apps can be installed outside google play technically... but the audience is tiny). With Parler, for example, I remember reading tons of posts in support of taking the app down. But that same process can be easily used to silence apps like these.

This has nothing to do with Parler. Google has been auto-banning apps based on stupid blacklists and ML magic for years because they don't have a human review process (or if they do, it doesn't do good work). A couple of weeks ago it hit a Matrix chat app and it's been restored now. The shit storm will now lead to someone at Google escalating this and the app will be back soon. I'm pretty sure that banning Parler was a decision where a lot of people where involved.

Re: Google Play store bans polyamory dating app

#8

This is the dangerous flip side to having two players be the gatekeepers as to what can and cannot be an app (yes, I'm aware on android apps can be installed outside google play technically... but the audience is tiny). With Parler, for example, I remember reading tons of posts in support of taking the app down. But that same process can be easily used to silence apps like these.

[deleted]

Re: Google Play store bans polyamory dating app

#9

Having never owned a smart phone I am curious if you need an app for this, or could you simply have an old school forum and people visit it on their phones browser? Is that even feasible? Too much friction?

It's certainly not necessary. A lot of apps are literally just the web site packaged up with a call to the built-in browser.

Apps like that are always a little clunky, especially if you want to use native features like the GPS or the camera -- both of which a dating app will want. They are accessible in the browser, but it's not quite seamless.

The experience isn't a forum. You want something a bit more tailored to dating. But it's entirely within the realm of a browser.

So why package it as an app? More than anything I think it's because people expect it. The experience is tuned towards interactions on a mobile device. That isn't a huge difference, but you're trying to compete in a tough market, and they want to feel perfect.

Like the difference between Tinder's "swipe" interaction (left for no, right for yes) versus a couple of buttons. The usability difference is small, but it's iconic. You could mimic it with a browser, but you really want to nail it.

Similarly, having the app right on your front screen rather than as just another bookmark... it makes it feel important. Small things that make a big difference when you're trying to sell an experience.

Experience is critical for a dating app. It's kind of a winner-take-all (or most) situation: the more users you have, the more likely a user will find somebody they want and who wants them. The better it looks, the more likely you'll be the one people want to spend time on.

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