Facebook tests their video speed-dating app called ‘Sparked’
Facebook verified it’s testing a video speed-dating app called Sparked, after the app’s website was spotted by The Verge. Sparked users unlike Tinder don’t swipe on people they like or direct message others. Rather, they process through a series of short video dates during an event to make connections with others. Facebook’s internal R&D group, the NPE Team is developing the product but has not been officially announced.
A spokesperson for Facebook’s NPE Team confirmed to TechCrunch that Sparked is an early experiment by New Product Experimentation and they are exploring how video-first speed dating can help people find love online.
They also indicated the app as undergoing a “small, external beta test” designed to produce insights about how video dating could work, to enhance people’s experiences with Facebook products. The app is currently live only on the web and not available in the app.
The Verge’s report said that Sparked is preparing to test the experience at a Chicago Date Night event on Wednesday.
During the sign-up process, Sparked users are told to “be kind,” “keep this a safe space,” and “show up.” An overview of how the app also works clarifies that participants will meet face to face during a series of 4-minute video dates, which can be followed up by them with a 10-minute date if all goes well. They can also choose to exchange contact info, like phone numbers, emails, or Instagram handles.
In the early days of the pandemic, Facebook announced its dating app product, Facebook Dating, would roll out a sort of virtual dating experience that leveraged Messenger for video chats. This decision came at a time when many other dating apps in the market also turned to video to serve users during lockdowns. These video experiences could potentially play against Sparked unless the new product aims to become another option inside Facebook Dating itself.
The NPE Team’s experiment in speed dating could eventually help to inform Facebook of what kind of new experiences a dating app user may want to use, and how.
