# Bribery-Based Dating Apps The Carrot Dating App Uses an Incentive-Based System to Score Dates By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2013-10-23 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carrot-dating-app References: [thezerosbeforetheone](http://www.thezerosbeforetheone.com/a-dating-app-that-bribes-women-like-giving-a-dog-treats-says-the-creator) & [carrotdating](http://www.carrotdating.com/) The Carrot Dating app allows a user to entice prospective dates with shopping sprees, bouquets of flowers or offers to pay for plastic surgery in exchange for a first date. [MIT](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grok-cli) graduate Brandon Wade, the creator of this app describes [online dating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spark-dating) as a "superficial game," and instead aims to helps daters to avoid rejection by throwing outlandish incentives at users. Already, there are outcries of how dangerously close to illegal and sexist this [incentivized dating app](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxy-dating-service) is, especially with statements from the app's official press release that liken women to dogs just wanting to receive treats. The controversial Carrot Dating app should come with a disclaimer that warns users to expect only superficial relationships and extremely expensive first dates. Photo Credit: [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/app/carrot-dating/id672361587?mt=8) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 8% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Incentive-based Dating:** The trend of using incentives to entice prospective dates is disrupting traditional dating norms. - **Controversial Dating Apps:** Controversial dating apps like Carrot Dating are pushing boundaries and sparking discussions around ethics and gender equality. - **Superficial Dating Culture:** The rise of dating apps like Carrot Dating reflects a broader trend of superficial relationships and the commodification of dating experiences. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Online Dating:** The online dating industry is being disrupted by the growing popularity of incentive-based dating apps. - **Mobile App Development:** The development of dating apps like Carrot Dating highlights the opportunities in the mobile app industry. - **Gender Equality Activism:** The controversy surrounding Carrot Dating app has sparked discussions within the gender equality activism industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Fruit-Themed Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fruitz-1.md) - [Credit Score Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/score-dating-app.md) - [Personality-Focused Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bokay-app.md) - [NFT-Based Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lonely-ape-dating-club.md) - [Fruit-Themed Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fruitz.md) - [Heartbreak-Healing Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-raw-dating-app.md) - [Restaurant-Collaborating Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frome-dating-app.md) - [Hybrid Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/when-we-first.md) - [Professional-Focused Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lady-matchmaker.md)