The Truth About Paying to Reveal Who Likes You on Online Dating Apps

Online dating has become a ubiquitous part of modern romance, but a humorous comic circulating on Reddit sheds light on a less glamorous aspect of these platforms. The four-panel comic, created by an artist known as "Feeble," humorously satirizes the manipulative tactics used by some dating apps to get users to pay for premium features.

In the first panel, a hand is seen holding a smartphone displaying the interface of a dating app called "Tuggerr." The screen excitedly announces, "You Have 10 New Likes!" with four blurry profile pictures hinting at potential matches. This initial excitement sets the stage for what many users hope will be a fruitful experience.

The second panel shows the same hand, now being enticed by a bold message that reads, "Reveal Who Wants You." Below this message is a large, inviting pink button with the text "SUBSCRIBE." The finger is poised, ready to press the button, capturing the moment of temptation where many users decide to pay for additional features.

In the third panel, the app's true intentions become clear. The screen displays a dollar sign icon followed by the message, "$ Nice!" Below this icon, the text humorously admits, "We successfully manipulated your emotions and took your money." This panel encapsulates the frustration many feel after paying for dating app subscriptions, only to realize they've been played.

The final panel delivers the punchline. The smartphone screen now shows, "Here’s Your Hotties," accompanied by four clear profile pictures of unattractive, cartoonish characters. This reveal humorously depicts the disappointing matches users often find after paying for the service.

The comic's lighthearted yet ironic tone resonates with many online, as evidenced by the Reddit comments. One user quipped, "Funny how I get 0 matches with a subscription. Then the first day after I cancelled I suddenly get 2-3 matches that you need a subscription to see. Funny how that works." Another user shared a more somber view, stating, "This makes me sad. Dating apps used to be pretty good. Ok Cupid did right by me and a few other people I know. I'm sad that healthy dating sites have fallen victim to the ens***ification of the Internet."

Some comments even drew parallels to other subscription-based services. One user noted, "LinkedIn Premium also feels like this," while another humorously added, "Max Rebo doesn’t have time for dating. He’s gotta make it to the gig."

The comic and its accompanying Reddit discussion highlight a shared sentiment: many feel that dating apps have become more about profit than connection. The manipulative tactics used to entice users into paying for premium features often leave them feeling disillusioned, as perfectly captured by the comic's satirical tone.

Feeble's comic serves as a humorous yet poignant reminder of the pitfalls of online dating. It encourages users to approach these platforms with a healthy dose of skepticism and a sense of humor, lest they fall prey to the same emotional manipulation depicted in the comic.