Happn is a dating app that helps you match with the cute rando you saw crossing the street. It’s kind of like Missed Connections, a classic for Craigslist stalkers admirers.
In the Before Times, Happn only let you slide into the DMs of people who came within ~¼ mile of you. But now the company has extended its match radius to ~75 miles.
Could the bigger net help you find love? In the name of sCiEnCe, our staff writers tried it out.
Michael: The main page asks, “Who would you like to cross paths with?” then lists gender options. Creepy factor: 5.
Caroline: Is this like Pokemon Go? Do I need to leave the house and walk around?
(Apparently not. Happn matches you with other users who’ve been near you in the past week. You can say “hello”… or send ‘em packing.)
Michael: All my matches will either be from the grocery store or coffee shop because those are the only 2 places I go anymore.
Caroline: I just matched.
Michael: Oh god.
Caroline: Oh, sh*t. He’s, like, in college. He walks his dog by my house. Honestly, I’m going to hide for a while. I was on Happn for 10 minutes and found 2 neighbors.