Edmonton-made dating app Oops Social replaces swipes with voice notes

An Edmonton entrepreneur has launched a new dating app that ditches the swipe in favour of voice notes, hoping to foster more intentional connections and reduce ghosting.

Annie Poirier, founder of Oops Social, says the idea came in 2023 as she sought an alternative to apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge. The app replaces swipes with voice-message recordings, allowing users to express themselves in a more personal way.

Thomas Nguyen, an early tester, had grown frustrated with traditional swipe-based apps. "It's kind of like gambling," he said of swiping. "You find yourself kind of looking back, kind of hoping for someone to match with you, right? And if it's someone to swipe back." After multiple ghosting experiences on other platforms, he gave up on them.

Poirier believes the voice-first approach changes the game. "If they don't have a feeling first, they just won't care about you. They won't show up with intention," she said.

The app is currently in early testing with 300 invited users. A nationwide testing plan is scheduled for later this summer. For now, only those with an invite link can log on. Poirier says the goal is simple: "The goal was for people to find love easier and especially not waste so much time."