Has anyone else wondered what would happen if Snapchat and Bumble had a baby, or is it just me? That’s what Hoop is, it is as if Bumble and Snapchat came together to make an app.
Many of us wonder if we could get more than just copied catchphrases in the bios and artificially enhanced pictures in our matches on most dating apps. Hoop takes the whole thing to the next level, where you match based on the content users create on Snapchat.
This, of course, requires a lot of algorithms, and by the looks of it, Hoop has mastered it. On a lighter note, you can always scroll through funny videos if you don’t find your match. So what is Hoop all about? Let us take a deep dive into one of the fastest-growing apps in the world.
Is Hoop app Legit?
I came to know about Hoop through a friend. I was surprised to see that despite not having enough buzz about the app on social media, there are plenty of active users on the app to connect. After using the app for over a month now, I can safely conclude that Hoop will gain a lot more users over the next few years if not months.
Key Features
- Seamless integration with Snapchat profiles
- Matching categories based on ages (minors and adults)
- Incentives in the form of diamonds improve engagement
- Matching process based on interests
- All public profiles
- Easy swipes and scrolling through matches
- Age and location-based filters
- Free to use and sign in
- High-quality video and image processing
Exposure to Explicit Content
Kids of an adolescent age are always vulnerable to bad influences. Content moderation policies are in place but there are ways to still push the envelope. While Hoop does not promote inappropriate content or matching, one area where the safety of young adults becomes worrying is when the engagement attracts inappropriate content and matches.
This means that the user’s age, location, preferences, and other behavior data (analytics) define who they would like. If it matches or indicates that a user may like a certain kind of profile and if they engage with it then it is likely that more similar profiles or content will pop up.
The user must 18 or above but we all know how that goes. Also there are no strict measures to stop teenagers from making an account. No parental controls are available on Hoop, so parents may have to manually check their kids’ profiles and the nature of their usage.
Moreover, the analytics is also accessible to the app and third-party servers for advertisement purposes. However, Hoop is very strict on harassment or abuse. Users can block and report profiles for any kind of inappropriate engagement. Repeated reports also result in the banning of the offenders.
User Interface & Navigation
The UI is quite sleek. The foreground uses a variety of colors, predominantly blue and pink. This keeps both genders and gender-neutral people engaged its visual appeal. The background is largely white, which can be turned into black with the dark mode.
The experience is seamless. It transitions into Snapchat videos very quickly. You land on navigation, where you can scroll through profiles. The app uses the familiar medium of Snapchat for texts.
User Reviews and Ratings
The opinions about Hoop, as is the case with most social media (especially dating apps), are divided between the generations. While the newer generation believes linking Snapchat is a great way to understand potential matches, parents are more cautious about what users are getting exposed to.
On technical grounds, Hoop has a category of its own, as no other dating app uses a popular social media giant to perform the matching. The seamless integration is the popular feature among most users.
Pricing vs Value
The app and all of its features are absolutely free to use. Hoop has an interesting way of making revenue. Instead of bombarding you with irrelevant ads or charging a subscription fee to access its premium features, Hoop offers Diamonds, which are points you earn or buy as an in-app purchase.
These diamonds let you send unlimited friend requests, revisit previous or swiped profiles, and customize your profile. The cost of the Diamonds is between $0.99 and $29.99. The fact that you can earn and buy diamonds makes it a good value for your money and time.
Hoop App Alternatives
The ideal alternatives and industry leaders in the dating app category are Tinder and Bumble. But neither offers integration to another social media platform, which makes Hoop quite unique. The sheer volume of users on Tinder and Bumble is their only advantage.
Customer Support
This is a slightly worrying aspect of Hoop, and I hope this gets corrected soon. The only form of support you get is through an automated chatbot. The chatbot isn’t too accurate with its responses, and this is where most users raised concerns.
You have to dig deep to find email addresses and hope for the best to get a sound response from the support team.
Frequently Asked Questions
It accesses your pictures, location, and your key interests. This type of data is very integral and data theft may result in compromise. In terms of using the app, a moderated screen time with limited information on display is something you can practice for safety.
Hoop is a dating app that lets you connect through mutual interests and mainly through the content you put up on Snapchat. While the app likes to present itself as a social media app to allow people to connect, the users like to consider Hoop a dating app.
The app is listed on both the App Store as well as Play Store. You can download it on your kids’ phones or other devices like tablets. You can moderate the information and data your kids choose to share on the app, and from then on, it’s a very easy process to make new friends and connect to people.
Wrap Up!
Hoop is a path-breaking app by all means. It does not shy away from using a mega platform for its content and user base. The integration is fairly smooth, and after using it for over a month, I don’t think I will ever be interested in meeting someone just by seeing a couple of pictures or some catchphrases on their profile.
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