This Video Dating App Helps Singles Find Real Chemistry Fast

The Short Version: Lots of singles find the chemistry just isn't there when they finally meet their online matches face to face. The video-based dating app noii tackles that problem with video speed-dating. Its users get a more personal, natural connection on their video dates, so the bond is stronger by the time they meet offline.

Some couples get butterflies, a first kiss, and an instant connection on their first date. Most first dates, though, are uneventful or downright awkward, particularly between people who've never met before. Sadly, first dates can start to feel like tiring work.

Anyone on dating apps knows first dates can get tedious. Your match looks great in their photos, you trade messages for a few days, and you set up a time to meet. Then you arrive at the bar or restaurant, and they just aren't who you pictured.

The conversation is stiff. Boredom sets in fast. Someone else might find them attractive, but you don't feel even a flicker of romantic or sexual connection.

A real-time conversation before the date could have spared you all of this. Some research suggests that body language accounts for up to 55% of communication, with another 38% coming through tone. If you only ever talk to someone via messaging, you're getting to know them less well than you probably think.

That's the reason Laura Matter and her colleagues brought the video-chat dating app noii into the dating scene. “Video dating provides a more authentic and immediate impression than traditional swiping apps,” Laura explained to us. “At noii, our users have reported that these interactions feel more personal and engaging, as they can see and hear their potential partners, leading to a more accurate sense of chemistry.”

The COVID-19 pandemic made video dating a necessity, and it doesn't look like it's disappearing anytime soon. With apps like noii, singles can measure their real chemistry with a potential date from the comfort of home, before they ever have to head out.

“This approach reduces misunderstandings and misrepresentations, as it’s harder to disguise one’s true self in a live video setting,” Laura said. “Consequently, users are more likely to form meaningful relationships based on authentic interactions.”

A More Human Approach

To be clear, conventional swipe-based dating apps have transformed how singles date, handing them far more chances to find people and connect with lots of potential partners. Still, some singles complain that their matches on these apps feel random, especially on apps with brief profiles, and they find that swiping has less to do with genuine compatibility than with how good your profile is.

Singles on noii do still meet through an app, but its video-dating format feels much more human and natural than swiping does.

Fun prompts make the videos even better.

“At noii, we facilitate live video speed-dating sessions where users engage in six-minute conversations with up to five potential matches,” Laura explained. “This format allows individuals to experience real-time interactions, capturing nuances like voice, gestures, and expressions that static photos or text cannot convey. A live conversation says so much about a person — if you have a fun conversation for six minutes, the chances are higher you can also have a good conversation on your first coffee date.”

During their conversation, singles can use the noii app's fun prompts, icebreakers, and games. That makes time on the app more enjoyable and gives daters something to build on later if they decide to meet offline.

“A common misconception is that video dating is awkward or impersonal,” Laura said. “We help users find topics to discuss by leveraging data from their profiles, making conversations flow more naturally. The structured format of noii’s video dates, lasting six minutes each, creates a balanced environment to gauge interest without the pressure of prolonged conversations.”

Rather than adding awkwardness to offline dates, noii's video dates strengthen the foundation of a connection and help singles relax around each other. They'll probably even show up with a few fun things to talk about, rather than just going over their jobs and how long they've lived in town.

“By carefully curating and presenting relevant details, we aim to create a foundation for more meaningful and engaging conversations,” Laura said.

Connecting, Not Browsing

Laura pointed out that in each speed dating session, singles chat with five people at most. You might be thinking: On dating apps, I pass over 95% of the profiles I see, so five profiles aren't enough!

Yet meeting someone on video chat is a completely different experience from scrolling past their profile. On a dating app, most users choose whether to match from photos alone, and sometimes only the first one. Swamped by the sheer number of profiles, they might even pass over singles they'd find very attractive in person.

With noii's video dates, on the other hand, you get to find out whether there's a deeper connection between you. “Direct engagement helps users quickly determine compatibility, moving beyond superficial judgments,” Laura said.

In Switzerland, noii users can also attend offline singles events.

Browsing profiles can be fun, but on traditional dating apps lots of singles wind up doing it passively, either soaking up validation from their likes or growing more and more unhappy with the dating pool. noii is set up differently, so singles don't get stuck mindlessly doom-scrolling and never answering messages. “This structure encourages active participation and immediate conversation, eliminating the passive nature of profile browsing,” Laura said.

When you're serious about finding a relationship, swiping through apps and going on the odd date can turn into a part-time job before you know it. noii caps its video dating sessions at a half-hour and weeds out lots of unimpressive dates, so you waste less time online and on first dates that were never going to become second dates.

Noii Lets You Skip the Mediocre First Dates

noii is delivering on its goal of making dating efficient, fun, and values-based. Its users have enjoyable conversations online that turn into deep, easy connections once they meet face to face.

Countless factors shape how you size up a date, which is why lots of dating experts suggest seeing someone three times before you decide how you feel. The noii team, though, wants to give users the best possible shot at a good connection right from the start. The video dates are already fun thanks to its games and conversation prompts, and the team is working hard to apply science to make the experience even better.

“We are focused on improving conversation starters by identifying what truly helps people connect in the first few minutes and what information is most important for them to know after a conversation,” Laura said. “It’s fascinating to analyze how a conversation flows based on the information a person has beforehand. Since our initial perceptions are influenced by this prior knowledge, we believe noii, as a platform, can positively shape those first interactions.”

noii's founders keep refining the interface that gets conversations started.

For users who make do with video chat but would still rather meet partners offline, noii also hosts lots of IRL singles meetups where people can form impressions face-to-face.

“Our platform organizes offline events, such as speed dating on ski lifts or in trains, offering unique opportunities for users to connect in person after their initial online interactions,” Laura told us. “These features collectively enhance the dating experience by fostering direct and meaningful engagements.”

Laura also hopes her team can make even more use of artificial intelligence to raise the quality and precision of the platform's matches. “The future of video dating is set to leverage advanced technologies to enhance the user experience further,” she told us. “At noii, we are excited about incorporating artificial intelligence to refine our matchmaking algorithms, ensuring more accurate and personalized matches.”