Imagine an online dating app whose mission is to help singles find true love through hate. Meet Hater, the world’s first matchmaking app that’s mocking the monotony of the online dating scene and creating a virtual playground for all those passion-seeking singles looking for a connection on the world wide web. Entertaining, user friendly and nonconformist, Hater has hedged its bets on the power of “hating” as the key to finding a compatible mate. As singles weigh in on an ever-growing list of today’s hot topics, from clothing trends to politics to sports teams to pedestrian etiquette, Hater builds user profiles based on expressions of opinion, all while foregoing the tedious and sometimes disingenuous routine of building an often less-than-accurate dating profile that’s common on similar apps like Tinder and Bumble.
With over 200,000 users across the globe since the iOS app launched in early 2017, Hater has worldwide appeal. Interestingly enough, founder and CEO Brendan Alper doesn’t consider himself the “hater” type because he’s generally opposed to one-sided thinking. A Brown University graduate and former banking industry professional-turned-comedy-sketch-writer, Alper sees Hater as a lighthearted, engaging yet serious space for meeting similar-minded singles who may be experiencing online dating fatigue and are tempted to defy the standard compatibility criteria touted by most other dating sites. With an upside-down rose heart as its logo and a zero-tolerance policy for any form of hate speech, Hater believes users just might be able to find “Love Through Hate.”
New users must first sign up using their Facebook account, and for the time being, the app is only available on iOS. Singles in search of love then swipe through up to 3,000 different topics (swipe down to hate, up to love, left to dislike and right to like), skipping over items they don’t recognize or are indifferent about. The more opinions you express, the more tightly matched you’ll be to other “Haters” in your particular geographical area.
Profiles are simple and adjustable. Hater does all the heavy lifting by ranking your positive and negative viewpoints and posting your top five most-hated things (which you can edit at any time). Round out your profile with some tasteful photos, your age and your location and you’re off to the races. Swipe through potential suitors and even get help with a fun icebreaker question to get that dreaded first conversation off on the right footing. No need for any 411 on educational background, pastimes or relationship preferences, and no time wasted on grueling questionnaires. Attitudes are what matter, and the more negative the better, at least in the eyes of matchmaking. Recent research has suggested that people who share mutual disdain for the same things may, in fact, form tighter bonds than those who share positive sentiments.
CEO Alper says Brooklyn-based Hater is “just trying to make people laugh,” and perhaps, they’ll find true love in the process. Who knew all those pet peeves and unresolved angst could serve such an important purpose in our never-ending quest for companionship and requited love.
UPDATE: Hater Dating App is no longer available.
