Exploring Feeld: The App Redefining Human Connection and Sexuality
Next up in The State of Dating Apps Series is Feeld.
I knew about Feeld, but didn’t know a lot before researching more. Feeld’s original name was “3nder,” pronounced “Thrinder.”
Tagline: “Open-minded meet like-minded.” Feeld’s creators state that “Feeld is on a mission to open up the future of human connection through normalizing sexual desire (Feeld, 2022).
Target Audience: “For couples and singles…who want to explore their sexuality.” Feeld was founded by a couple navigating an open relationship for the first time.
Candidly, I struggled to find current statistics around Feeld’s user base. Feeld boasts 2 million connections made and 30 million messages sent each month, but doesn’t offer a breakdown of users (i.e. how are the connections calculated?). In 2019, @nytimesreported 35% of users on the app with a partner and 45% identifying as something other than heterosexual. Average user is between 26-32 and lives near/in a big city.
Similar to Bumble, Feeld’s safety guidelines were linked within the Community Guidelines. There are strict policies on photos that mirror Bumble’s (previous post). I love that Feeld explicitly discusses consent but the information is buried and not easy to find.
Despite this, Feeld seems dedicated to keeping its members secure and promises a “human review” of all reports.
Pros:
👍🏻inclusive of many identities and offers educational resources for those starting to explore
👍🏻can navigate the app alone or with a partner
👍🏻largely sex positive and encourages exploration (I say “largely” because I did encounter a “Stay clean” ad when scanning the app 🤦🏻♀️)
👎🏻users don’t have to show their faces or use their real names (could be a positive for some but may present safety issues)
👎🏻smaller user base which makes it difficult to find connections depending on your location
👎🏻additional privacy features are available (for a price)
Overall, I think it’s a great app idea but still falls short depending on your area and user base.