# Communication-Centric Dating Apps The Curtsy App Employs a Reward System to Keep Users Interacting By Alyson Wyers | Published 2016-08-19 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/curtsy-app References: [betalist](https://betalist.com/startups/curtsy) & [curtsy.me](http://www.curtsy.me/) Although there are many [dating apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/convo-starters) out there, the Curtsy app hopes to stand out by addressing some common conversational complaints users have about romantic mobile platforms. Based in Texas, the startup believes concerns the lovelorn have with using other dating applications are difficulty beginning a conversation with matches, text messaging matches has a cold and impersonal feel and there is no incentive to begin chatting with matches. The Curtsy app aims to fix this by introducing an [ice-breaker element](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conversation-catalyst) to the process. Curtsy matches can only communicate via [vocal messages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vibing) in the start, with the ability to unlock text messaging later. A reward system enables users to unlock other features too, like asking for phone numbers. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 49% | Activity: 71% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% 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's Driving This Trend - **Ice-breaker Communication:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop a dating app that encourages users to communicate through voice messages as an ice-breaker instead of text messaging. - **Reward-based Systems:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create a dating app that incorporates a reward system, where users can unlock features and incentives by engaging with matches and participating in conversations. - **Incentivized Interactions:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design a dating app that provides incentives for users to initiate conversations with matches, such as offering rewards for exchanging contact information or going on dates. ### Who This Affects Most - **Mobile Dating Apps:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Revamp the mobile dating app industry by introducing communication-centric features that address common user complaints and encourage more meaningful connections. - **Gamification:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Apply gamification techniques to the dating industry by creating dating apps that incorporate reward systems and incentivize interactions for a more engaging user experience. - **Voice Messaging Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop voice messaging technology specifically tailored for dating apps, allowing users to communicate with matches in a more personal and expressive way. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [In-Person Connection Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/connection-app.md) - [Video-Enabled Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/candid-dating-app.md) - [Voice-Focused Dating App Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/voice-prompts.md) - [Flirty Conversation Suggestion Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hotconvo.md) - [Real-World Connection Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dayone-irl-dating-app.md) - [Anti-Ghosting Dating Sites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/after.md) - [Music-Forward Dating App Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-dating-app-cerca.md) - [IRL Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blush-app.md) - [Affirmation-Centric Dating App Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compliments-feature.md)