After Is a Dating App Launching In Austin, Tackling Ghosting By Requiring Unmatched Users To Explain And Encourage Closure.
After, a new female-founded dating app, is set to make its debut in Austin, Texas, on Thursday with a mission to tackle the growing issue of ghosting in the online dating world. Unlike other dating apps, After encourages users to share a reason for unmatching someone before they can continue swiping, promoting accountability and reducing abrupt disconnections.
Founded in October 2023 by Katie Dissanayake, who has a decade of experience in the dating app industry, After is designed to address issues of dating fatigue and offer something new. Dissanayake previously worked at Hud, where she honed her skills in tech, trust and safety, and product development. She is passionate about bringing a fresh perspective to the dating scene with After’s anti-ghosting feature.
"After’s standout feature is anti-ghosting, which I think holds people accountable," Dissanayake told TechCrunch. "On the flip side, it gives people closure."
The app prompts users to provide a reason when they stop responding to a match. Users can choose from options like "distance" or "vibes didn’t match." A kind message is then sent to the other person to explain why the connection ended, offering a more respectful approach to ending matches.
In addition, After employs nudges to encourage communication. If a match goes silent, users will receive a reminder to respond, and if the silence continues, the match will expire. Both parties are required to choose a reason for the match’s expiration, emphasizing closure over ghosting.
Another key aspect of the app is its focus on keeping matches relevant. If neither person messages within a given period, the match will end automatically, ensuring that users' inboxes are not cluttered with inactive matches. This feature aims to enhance user engagement and reduce fatigue.
To further support its users, After offers dating guides that provide tips for improving profiles and bettering the dating experience. These guides suggest changes such as updating images or refining profile descriptions based on users’ interactions.
Looking ahead, After plans to introduce opt-in mental health check-ins. These features allow users to reflect on their mood and feelings and even suggest taking a break from the app if needed. This thoughtful approach underscores the app’s commitment to user well-being.
After operates on a freemium model, offering basic access for free. Users can also earn "petals," the app’s in-app currency, to unlock extra features like boosts and super likes. For $19.99 per month, premium subscribers enjoy 500 petals and full access to unlimited chats and likes.
In terms of expansion, After plans to first establish a strong community in Austin before rolling out to the rest of Texas and eventually to other states. As Dissanayake puts it, “Nothing is worse than opening an app and finding only one user in each state—it just doesn’t work.”