Category: S’More
S’More: “Tinder-fication” of Online Dating Is Over
FORBES – May 26 – New data gathered by the dating app company S'More suggests that putting chemistry ahead of "hotness" and relationships over casual encounters may become the new norm in online dating, and some of the biggest players in the industry are getting in on the trend. S'More survey found that physical attraction was no longer rated as the most important factor when searching for a potential match. "Covid-19 certainly changed the equation," says CEO Cohen-Aslatei. "But beyond that, our data shows that people are starting to expect more from dating apps. They want real connections, not the fake photos and hyper-sexualization that has characterized so much of online dating over the past decade." S'More has developed a suite of features aimed to reduce the superficiality of online dating, and slow down the process. For one, users aren't able to view a clear photo of a potential match until they have had a meaningful conversation with that person. S'More is not alone in its effort. Tinder and Bumble recently added games to their video product, MeetMe added blurred video dating, and Chispa, a Match Group app for Latino and Latina singles, connects daters based on answers to trivia games. MuzMatch, a Muslim-focused dating app, also lets women keep their profiles blurred from men.
Dating App S’More Launches S’More TV
GRITDAILY – Apr 27 – Based on the concept of getting to know a person before matching with them, S'More brings a less superficial approach to online dating. S'More is launching a celebrity video content channel in-app. The content is exclusive to S'More and meant to spark more organic conversations. The new feature has already increased time on the app by ~50%, and new conversations by 13% for beta users. S'More TV rolled out to everyone on April 23. Initial content available includes videos from Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger, Alexis Waters and Raven Gates from The Bachelor, Congressman Brian Sims, Real Housewives of Dallas' D'Andra Simmons, Jordan Kimball from The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise, Fox Sports host Joy Taylor, Seaburn Williams from Netflix's The Circle, and Shane Coopersmith from Below Deck, and more.
“How I Raised It” Podcast With Adam Cohen Aslatei of S’More
SOUNDCLOUD – Mar 8 – This episode is with Adam Cohen-Aslatei of S'More, a dating app that's focused on helping users find more meaningful relationships. Adam talks about finding out what is unique about YOU (and pitching that to investors), how to reach out and connect on LinkedIn, how to pitch "high profile" investors such as Mark Pincus, and more.
Ep. 185 How I Raised It With Adam Cohen Aslatai Of S'More
Interview With Adam Cohen-Aslatei, CEO of S’More
What's your #1 priority for your money raise?
Focusing on building out the product in a cost-efficient and timely manner so that we can expand across the U.S and then start work on Android. We still have so many cool features that are not yet present in the app, not to mention premium functionality that I can't wait to announce!
What will S'More look like in a year?
S'More will feel much more like a discovery community rather than a transactional dating app. What I mean is that there will be new ways to meet people in more organic ways. So for those who hate dating apps or for people who are not looking to date, but just want to meet and chat with cool people, S'More will become your destination! These community features are coming soon and we are even bringing in our S'More Live celebrity dating show inside the app!
Does Tinder have a future or will interest wane in your opinion? Why?
My view is that the industry is changing fast and we are entering a major era of disruption. People are looking for more, and current offerings are just not addressing consumers' changing behaviors. People have been swiping for years, and while fun, it can get a little boring and repetitive. S'More brings a totally new approach to the industry, tackling the bigger issue of "discovery": how do you really get to know a person beyond just a headshot….
Insta, Facebook, PPC, influencers, what's working best for you?
We think about marketing holistically not by tactics and quite honestly you need to employ all marketing tactics to build a solid and durable brand. S'More has always been a brand-first company, and we stand for anti-superficial relationships, and everything we do supports that belief. The core way we drive awareness is through our weekly celebrity dating show. We've shot 65 episodes in the last 6 months, and the show is now covered by celebrity news and by lifestyle reporters, dramatically expanding our reach beyond what any start-up at our stage should be able to generate. The show also gives us a great connection to Hollywood, which we are leveraging for a forthcoming tv show, and many of the singles we interview are actually on our app! Data from the show is also used for performance marketing.
How would you like to see the dating industry work together?
So many brands are doing great things, and I am so fortunate to have so many relationships with well established players in our space. I'd like to see us do more on data and security and verification. Just like Airbnb did a few years back, we as an industry must come together and require that 100% of users are verified. Let me be clear here, 100% catfish free, meaning your photos are of you and not of someone else, that is one of the biggest concerns we face and we need to establish better ways to keep bad actors out of our communities and be more proactive in doing so collaboratively.
How do you think the dating industry will be entirely different in 5 years?
I think A/R and V/R are coming fast, and we at S'More are getting ready. A/R and V/R will take virtual dating to a new level and as headsets become more widely available people will want to take part in these super cool and immersive experiences.
S’More Is Heading to Hollywood
TECH CRUNCH – Jan 27 – S'More has signed a production deal with producers Elvia Van Es Oliva and Jack Tarantino, who have worked on shows like "90 Day Fiancé." CEO Cohen-Aslatei said the startup will work with them to create "anti-superficial" dating content for digital platforms and TV networks. This deal builds on the success of S'More Live, the startup's celebrity dating show on Instagram Live, which has aired 60 episodes so far.
S’More Raised $2.1M in Seed Round
DOT.LA – Jan 26 – The dating app, S'More, which is short for Something More, has raised $2.1M. The service, which debuted in LA in June, says it has registered ~165K users since it came out of stealth mode last March and is seeing 20% to 30% monthly growth. Users skew female and young, with more than half under 35 years old. On S'more, photos are blurred out until users have spent time talking to each other. The new funding will be used to expand the company's operations by hiring a full-time development team and expanding marketing to get ready for a full nationwide rollout.
by Ben Bergman
See full article at Dot.la
This post also appears on InternetDatingInvestments.com
S’More Survey – How COVID Is Changing the Way People Meet
S'MORE – Dec 23 – S'More, a new relationships app that's about getting to know a person before seeing a profile picture, surveyed its users about post Covid dating. Key findings:
- 27% of online daters are more active on the apps due to Covid
- 68% of women and 61% of men will date fewer people IRL post Covid
- 64% of women and 39% of men will go on 3 virtual dates before meeting IRL
S’More Wants to Be the Future of Dating
GRITDAILY – Nov 30 – Adam Cohen-Aslatei built S'More with the idea that dating apps should be able to link people intellectually rather than superficially. While most dating apps force people to make dating decisions instantly and based on a selfie, S'More (a.k.a. Something More), slows down the process. S'More is about getting to know a person first before passing judgement. The more users interact and chat, the more photos unblur. The app uses AI technology that confirms that uploaded photos are real, current and not overly altered. There is also a behavioral score to control for bad behavior and abusive content.
S’More Launches New “Unblur Meter” Feature
LINKEDIN – Nov 19 – S'More, a new relationships app that's about getting to know a person before seeing a profile picture, has launched a new feature which shows users what they need to do in order to view a profile picture. On S'More, all profile pictures are blurred. The more users chat, the more the profile photos unblur.