Happn Turns Urban Spaces into Dating Markets

While Tinder lets people scour an entire city or region for interesting dating material, the new proximity-based app Happn enables you to find people you've crossed paths with in real life, and to get in touch with them.

Considering the massive popularity of things like the Missed Connections section on Craigslist, or projects like I Wish I Said Hello, I’m pretty sure you’ve all experienced the situation: you’re waiting for the train while you suddenly cross eyes with a nice person you definitely want to date. However, as always, both of you are too shy to take action. This is where Happn comes in, a smartphone application that wants to make missed connections a thing of the past.

Missed connections are keeping us busy. While I Wish I Said Hello provides printable pins, Happn created a proximity-based app to find back that handsome-looking person
Missed connections are keeping us busy. While I Wish I Said Hello provides printable pins, Happn created a proximity-based app to find back that handsome-looking person

Based on your location the dating app presents you a timeline featuring people you may be interested in that are all, or have been within a small radius (<250 meters). Moreover, it constantly updates that timeline based on where you are and how close other users are. Similar to Tinder the app uses a ‘hot or not’ function to match people. If you like a person you see, you hit the ❤ symbol, and if that person likes you too you’re able to chat.

Happn

However, what makes Happn more interesting than its competitor is that it’s an app for city people that transforms urban spaces into small online dating markets. The app’s focus on proximity as a basis for interaction gives you a refreshing and exciting experience of urban life. Since Happn only links you to other users within close proximity, the app stimulates you to be on the move and explore new parts of town. Being in another neighborhood means getting in touch with new people.

After launches in cities such as Paris, Barcelona and San Francisco, Happn will be introduced in Amsterdam this Sunday. Click here to check out the app, and you’re ready to explore this Monday’s King’s Day in a new way.

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