# Pixelated Dating Apps The Vibes Dating App Hides Users' Looks in Order to Stoke Real Conversation By Michael Hines | Published 2017-05-09 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vibes-dating-app References: [producthunt](https://www.producthunt.com/posts/vibes-2) & [itunes.apple](https://itunes.apple.com/app/vibes-a-dating-app/id1223172986) Nowadays dating apps are a dime a dozen, but the Vibes dating app is trying to differentiate itself. For starters, Vibes simplifies profiles. Users post a question with the goal being to get openers that are funny, witty or deep instead of just cheesy pickup lines. There's no need to fill a profile with photos either. Just one photo is enough, although it doesn't really matter the quality as it will be pixelated. The Vibes dating app ditches text-based messaging for video chats. However, these are also pixelated. After the first video messages are sent users can choose to turn off the pixel function. Or they can keep it on in an attempt to get to know someone without the pressure of having to look good for the camera. The Vibes dating app is available now for iOS. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 43% | Activity: 87% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% 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 - **Simplification of Dating App Profiles:** Creating more engaging and meaningful conversations through less cluttered profiles, this trend has the potential to disrupt traditional dating apps that focus on image-based swiping. - **Integration of Video Chat in Dating Apps:** Pixelated video chats offer users a chance to get to know someone without feeling pressured to look perfect, but also provides an opportunity to break up the monotony of text-based conversations. - **Anonymization in Dating Apps:** By hiding photos and pixelating video chats until both users agree to turn off the pixel function, Vibes is opening up opportunities for those who might feel uncomfortable with appearance-based judgments. ### Who This Affects Most - **Dating Apps:** The Vibes app is seeking to challenge the dominance of apps such as Tinder or Bumble. - **Video Chat Platforms:** The rise of video chat technology has opened up new avenues for integrating face-to-face communication into dating apps and online interactions. - **Augmented Reality:** The development of pixelation technology presents disruptive opportunities for companies working on augmented reality and visual manipulation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Video-Enabled Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/candid-dating-app.md) - [Dating App Personality Showcases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wudya.md) - [Personality-Focused Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bokay-app.md) - [Authentic Connection Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spark-dating.md) - [AI Avatar Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snack-app.md) - [Unfiltered Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raw-dating-app.md) - [Gamified Video Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/irly.md) - [Personality-Focused Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anxser.md) - [Safety-Focused Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unfiltered.md)