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- The Blueprint To Build A Premium Dating App
The Blueprint To Build A Premium Dating App
PLUS: My Entire A/B Testing Process using PostHog
Startup Spells 🪄
February 03, 2025
Dating apps have proven to be a lucrative online business. With countless options already available, creating a standout app requires fresh ideas and a focus on niche markets. Anu Atluru explored the concept of a premium dating app in a recent discussion.
The League, launched around 2012-2013, targeted ambitious individuals seeking equally accomplished partners.
Initially, it focused on Ivy League-educated professionals and high-status jobs. Over time, it expanded its criteria but maintained its premium appeal.
One of its defining features was its pricing model.
The League charged anywhere from $99 a week to $2,499 a month, a bold move in the dating app space.
This innovative approach caught the attention of Match Group, which eventually acquired the app for approximately $30 million.
Modernizing The League for 2025
The League’s success stemmed from catering to a specific, high-status demographic. However, status markers have evolved. Today, an Ivy League degree or a prestigious job is no longer the sole indicator of success.
Social media followers, startup founder status, and niche community affiliations now serve as key status symbols.
A modern version of The League could target Y Combinator founders or individuals with 100,000+ followers on Instagram or TikTok.
These new status symbols create opportunities for niche dating apps that cater to specific, high-status groups.
Market Entry Timing To Get Insane Distribution
Several factors make this an optimal time to enter the dating app market:
Reduced development costs
Multiple distribution channels
Persistent demand among 18-40 age group
User frustration with existing platforms
Users now seek alternatives to traditional dating apps while maintaining some digital presence in their dating journey.
Match Group owns a wide range of niche dating apps, from Black People Meet to Veggie People Meet. These apps cater to specific communities but operate on traditional pricing models.
Creating premium versions of these niches, charging League-like prices, presents a clear opportunity. For instance, Lox Club, a premium dating app for Jewish singles, has already expanded to include Asian singles.
This model could be replicated for other communities, offering exclusive, high-end dating experiences.
AI-Driven Dating Innovations
AI is transforming many industries, and dating apps are no exception. One idea can be creating AI girlfriends or boyfriends tailored to specific niches.
For example, an AI companion app for Italian, Jewish, or Indian singles could tap into cultural preferences and provide personalized experiences.
Google Trends data shows growing interest in AI companions, making this a timely opportunity. While some may find the concept controversial, the financial potential is significant.
Top Tweets of the day
1/
My freeze dried candy competitors make all their stuff in China.
Was creating a candy factory domestically crazy? Yes.
But now our cogs get cheaper every month while competitors suffer.
— isaac (@theisaacmed)
7:01 PM • Feb 2, 2025
When you own the whole supply chain, you can go cheaper than your competition.
Elon built Rockets from first principles because Russian Rockets were expensive. Now he can launch re-usable rockets sustainably in space.
2/
I used to think this, until I ran a brand. At scale, USA consumers buy based on lowest price and highest convenience nearly 100% of the time
People like to say this, but their credit card statements disagree
— Kevin → Plant Daddy (@KevinEspiritu)
2:09 AM • Feb 3, 2025
What people say and what people do are 2 different things. Observe actions instead of words. You'll realize where their true priorities lie.
3/
There's a new kind of coding I call "vibe coding", where you fully give in to the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists. It's possible because the LLMs (e.g. Cursor Composer w Sonnet) are getting too good. Also I just talk to Composer with SuperWhisper… x.com/i/web/status/1…
— Andrej Karpathy (@karpathy)
11:17 PM • Feb 2, 2025
While I don't do vibe coding just yet, but I do vibe writing. The process Karpathy describes is similar to what I do for writing although I'm nowhere near as good so you can easily spot it.
And obviously writing is a different discipline than coding. Plus barring Claude and DeepSeek, every model is terrible at creative writing.
But its definitely a skill issue as there are people out there successfully doing it.
Rabbit Holes
My Entire A/B Testing Process (FULL Tutorial with Cursor AI, React, Next, PostHog, TypeScript) by Ilias Ism
Introducing The "Heavy Hitter" Method on Instagram (GROW YOUR IG x1000%) by /r/InstagramMarketing
$9k in 24hrs from a pdf by Justin Brooke
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