Another Dating App?! WhoNow Let’s Your Closest Friends Help You Find And Keep ‘The One’
Dating. Nobody said it would be easy, but as our culture shifts to an instant, gratification model, dating is no exception. Dating has become somewhat of a trend among 20-somethings as they reach for their smartphones to double click or swipe right to view potential matches. From the ever-popular Tinder to Match.com and Coffee Meets Bagel, dating apps have taken finding “Mr. Right” or “Mrs. Right” to another level. Yet, as more daters become less willing to be vulnerable and transparent, the success rate of finding the perfect match declines. However, there’s an app for that! To combat the failed dating attempts that many daters endure, WhoNow, an app designed to share your dating experience among your closest friends, is making it easier for daters to not only find a match, but also maintain a satisfying relationship.With support from their inner-circle, WhoNow app users can post photos of their newest catch, share photos from their latest date, and seek advice about dating dos and don’ts. Of course, this activity is all private and WhoNow assures users that only your closest friends, by invite only, are permitted to follow your dating history. Think of it as a private Instagram for dating with adjusted features. Each post or photo you add is erased after seven days, and it’s so simple to use that even your hot, single grandma can join! Upon launching in December 2015, founder, Austin Cohen, who was inspired to create a more intimate and meaningful dating app after experiencing his own dating challenges, says, “I see WhoNow as an accessory to your dating life.”Cohen views WhoNow as a tool to lessen the harsh reality in America – the 60% divorce rate. While people find themselves swimming in a sea full of potential love matches, the question of ‘What now?’ triggers daters to ask friends for help in their dating life, and in return those friends may ask ‘Who now?’ to gauge whether this person may be the right one for you. WhoNow is the best, and only, dating platform for users to share their dating experience privately and quickly among their close-knit group of friends. It’s for daters who may experience anxiety about an upcoming date or for those who want to go beyond just a first date; it’s gaining diverse perspectives from friends about your dating life. Prior to his current relationship, Cohen, grew tired of describing his dates to friends and family. Instead of sharing with friends over social media, who may include random followers as well, Cohen wanted to privately share his experience with friends through one medium outside of a group text message.WhoNow allows users to exclusively invite friends to the app using their phone number – so you know it’s real. Once invited, you can manage your inner circle of friends and only share with them pictures of your date, ask questions such as, ‘What do you think of him?,’ and get instant feedback. There’s also an anonymous hotline feature, which allows users to post and receive feedback anonymously from other users outside of your inner circle. Cohen explains, “If you don’t want to share with friends, or want a different perspective without sacrificing your identity, we have the anonymous hotline which is used for a really fun area of the app that people are engaging with; none of your friends see your posts there.”While WhoNow helps those looking for love gain insightful advice about their dating life, it is also designed with couples in mind. For that reason, the app is for everyone at any point in their life – single, dating, engaged, or married. Cohen passionately proclaims, “We love dating! If you love someone continue to date the person you love. Continue to date your spouse. The ones who don’t have successful marriages and end up in divorce realize they didn’t continue to date.” Couples can use WhoNow as a way to inspire their own courtship and discover new date ideas.Like most social media platforms, celebrities are major influencers. After WhoNow’s launch event in Miami with special guest performer, rapper, Nas; the app has potential to gain celebrity users. “People are really interested in celebrities’ dating life, so we are planning to do more events with celebrities,” says Cohen. Dating advice from Amy Schumer or Rihanna? Might be worth checking out! App reviews have been positive so far while the number of users is climbing with the majority between the ages of 18-25 followed by 26-35-year-olds. Cohen plans to leverage his relationships with some of Hollywood’s elite to continue the growth of WhoNow.Dating is complicated. In a time when most people conduct a Google background check on someone new they are dating, the expectations are high yet reality glooms. WhoNow makes today’s world of dating easier with friends supporting you along the way. As Cohen emphasizes, “WhoNow is what you do once you get into a relationship. We focus on keeping and maintaining relationships as opposed to just getting a date.”WhoNow is available now for Android and iPhone; visit whonowapp.com to learn more.