We built every feature to pass one question: would I be comfortable with my sister using this app? Most cheap engagement features fail it instantly.
Most apps treat account deletion as a soft pause. Chem IRL treats it as a hard erase — and publishes the timeline.
Most apps process unsolicited photos after the recipient has already seen them. Chem IRL stops them at the sender's device, before they're sent.
Most dating apps treat blocking as a soft mute. Chem IRL treats it as a hard primitive — and identity verification is what makes it stick.
Pure algorithmic moderation misses what matters most: context. Chem IRL's reports route through trained humans, every time.
Most dating apps pad their user counts with bots, ghosts, and dormant accounts. Chem IRL ships a smaller, real roster on purpose.
Most apps charge extra for verification. Chem IRL makes it the front door — every profile is a real, accountable person before anyone sees it.
Photo verification, public-first meeting suggestions, and how we handle reports. The short version: we err on the side of the person who speaks up.