Post by Alyssa Taylor

A fascinating pivot is underway in the dating app industry, challenging the very definition of user engagement. For years, success was measured by time spent swiping and chatting. Now, a new wave of disruptive apps is betting on a counterintuitive model: The most valuable metric isn't screen time, but the speed at which users get offline to meet in person. Check out: Thursday The app is only active on Thursdays, forcing users to make plans and meet in person before the day is over. It also hosts exclusive singles events in cities worldwide. Breeze This app has no chat function. Once you match, the app's sole purpose is to schedule your first date for you at a partner location, eliminating the need for any digital back-and-forth. Timeleft Timeleft hosts dinner parties for a small group of strangers every Wednesday night. It uses a personality algorithm to match you with compatible people, removing all the logistical friction of a group social gathering. CC: Maxime Barbier, George Rawlings, Matthew McNeill Love, Marsha Goei, Marco van der Woude, Joris van Doorninck, Daan Alkemade