The Scoop: Unveil wants to help singles have more in-depth conversations, which is why the dating app only reveals photos after members have communicated multiple times by voice message. That’s one of the main reasons why Unveil attracts people interested in developing lasting connections. In 2018, the app expanded into new countries (including the United States and Canada) and saw a majority of users enhance their voice intros with greater detail about themselves. In 2019, Unveil plans to provide more advice to show members how to attract potential dates and build relationships by becoming better conversationalists.
A common complaint among singles is that they’re tired of the appearance- and materials-based environments on some dating apps. Not only do they not like being judged based on their looks and incomes, but they also don’t like feeling pressured to do the same to others.
While researching online dating, Geri McFadden, Co-CEO of Unveil, took notice of this culture and decided to do something about it. She helped create a dating app that caters to singles who care about authenticity.
“It’s not about the condo or the company car anymore, but instead people are looking for peace and fulfillment,” Geri told us.
Unveil plans to expand its reach in 2019 and begin offering more features and advice for members.
Unveil creates a culture of authenticity by focusing on establishing a voice-to-voice connection, rather than swiping right or left based on a photo. Members can’t even see another person’s profile photo — only a blurry image — until they’ve spent a significant amount of time interacting. Then, the photo is revealed, hence the app’s name.
Geri said singles seeking long-term relationships are more likely to find them using this method.
“The focus of Unveil is the conversation, so we’re in a great place of helping people find relationships,” she said. “We’re all about genuine connection and who you click with.”
The More Detailed the Message, The More Likely the Match
To begin using Unveil, which is available on both iOS and Android, members post voice introductions to entice potential dates. When the app launched in 2016, many members created short, impersonal intros that said little more than hello. These intros weren’t typically successful in finding members dates, often because they gave very little information to which people could respond.
However, over the next few years, with the help and encouragement of the Unveil team, members started recording more specific intros about who they were and what they wanted from a date or partner.
“Recently, when people sign up, they’ve become more comfortable leaving longer voice intros, and they put thought and time into it,” Geri said. “They’re telling more about themselves, including their hobbies, and, in this new age of dating, people are more focused and saying what they’re looking for in a potential partner. They’re being more direct, and I think that’s refreshing.”
Longer, more detailed voice intros generally achieve better results because they provide tidbits people can relate and respond to, Geri said. For example, if someone said that he or she likes Indian food in a voice intro, another member could send a return message about his or her own love for the cuisine.
As the length of these intros increases, perhaps it’s no coincidence that user engagement and time spent on the app have also increased, Geri said.
The App Plans to Introduce Advice and New Tools in 2019
In 2018, Unveil’s uniqueness in the dating app market meant it saw more people signing up from the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand. For 2019, Geri and the team have big plans for making the experience even better.
“The app is intuitive and easy to use, but our goal is to get more profiles and more engagement on the app daily,” she said.
To increase engagement, the team will start providing more advice for members who want to create more memorable intros, which they understand can be a daunting task. Geri said the key is to smile when you’re recording an intro, even though no one is watching you.
Only through continued communication can members unveil the profile pictures of others.
“When you’re recording, it’s hard to sound relaxed,” she said. “My advice for recording a compelling intro is to pretend that you’re talking to a really old friend and smile. When you’re smiling, it comes through in your voice.”
Additionally, the team wants to help members continue to build relationships through conversations. Geri said that many members spend time recording a killer intro, but when they try to develop a conversation with someone, they falter.
“Once you make a connection, how do you develop that connection further?” she said. “How should you bring it to the next stage? We’re going to start offering more advice about how to do that and give users more confidence in developing those relationships.”
Unveil: Creating Connections That Are More Than Skin Deep
According to the Huffington Post, speaking to someone is a more intimate experience than chatting online or texting. Vocal inflections can provide information that often can’t be gleaned from an email or text.
That’s what the folks at Unveil understand. Even though the app is expanding its user base and adding more features, its core mission is the same: helping people get to know each another through conversation.
Geri said she and her team appreciate the growing following their unusual take to online dating has received.
“Users are always telling me how refreshing it is to talk and listen to potential dates,” she said. “We want everyone to have a good experience and be successful in finding connections. It’s not just about finding a partner, but you might meet a friend. It’s all about connections.”
