Bend Dating - Press One-Pager
Date: August 23, 2025
Headline
Modern Dating Is Broken. A Bend Dating App Flips the Incentive.
Elevator Pitch
Bend Dating is the only psychology-informed, evidence-based, community-rooted alternative to traditional dating apps—grounded in personal and psychological safety, best practices, monitored by independent non-profit research oversight, and designed for authentic relationships.
The Problem in Brief
Mainstream dating apps were built to maximize engagement, not relationships. Swipe mechanics, streaks, and pay-to-be-seen boosts drive habit loops and choice overload, pushing users toward impulsive, appearance-based judgments and endless browsing over commitment. Opaque algorithms often optimize for time-on-app rather than compatibility. The environment normalizes ghosting, breadcrumbing, and love-bombing; weak verification enables catfishing and scams. Monetization tiers create inequity; heavy filtering erodes authenticity and self-esteem. Prolonged texting without real-world movement leads to “textationships,” burnout, and cynicism.
The Bend Dating Solution
Enforced code of conduct centered on honesty and respect; active monitoring and accountability.
Four-tier certification: (1) member profile verification, (2) psychological screening, (3) background check, (4) optional polygraph.
No swiping, no algorithms, no gamification, no ghosting, no photo filters, no paid visibility, and no hidden upsells.
Equal gender balance and a cap of three concurrent conversations to prevent overload and reduce ghosting.
Local, searchable community activities and events that move connections offline promptly.
Referrals to community-based counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists.
Independent oversight by a non-profit research institute to audit safety practices and outcomes.
Transparent pricing: no boosts, super likes, or “unlock more” paywalls.
How It Works (Member Journey)
Apply → profile verification → psychological screening → background check (with optional polygraph) → access to a balanced, local member pool → engage with at most three members concurrently → meet using a database of community events and real-world activities → ongoing adherence to code of conduct, with monitored compliance and consequences for violations.
Ethics, Research, and Scientific Standards
Bend Dating implements empirical and evidence-based standards rooted in professional psychology and relationship science. Screening and policies follow best practices; outcomes and safety metrics are monitored by an independent non-profit research institute. The platform eliminates variable-ratio/interval reinforcement (streaks, surprise boosts) and other casino-style mechanics, aligning product design with attachment needs rather than attention extraction.
What Makes Bend Dating Different
Safety first: identity and integrity checks, enforced conduct, and third-party oversight.
Human judgment over algorithms: members choose thoughtfully; no gamified funnels.
Authenticity by design: no filters, no artificial scarcity, no pay-to-be-seen.
Community-anchored: real people, real events, real accountability.
Time-respecting: deliberate pace, limited concurrent chats, fast path to offline connection.