For Julia LeStage and Lisa Le, creators of the upcoming dating app LoveJack, online matchmaking doesn’t have to be all filters, bios, and swiping. Their goal? To bring fun, creativity, and real conversation back to the dating experience.
A Unique Take on Dating Apps
LoveJack stands out with a playful twist. Instead of asking users to upload elaborate profiles or swipe through endless pictures, each profile begins with five words — chosen by the user to describe themselves. These can be anything: quirky traits, jokes, moods, or even what’s in their lunch. It’s a minimal but expressive way to catch someone’s attention.
To view the person behind those words, users simply press and hold on their screen, revealing the profile picture—moving away from the usual swiping mechanics seen in most apps.
The founders believe this five-word format inspires creativity and genuine interaction, avoiding clichés like “What do you do?” or tired pick-up lines. It also encourages people to show personality beyond a perfect photo or curated bio.
Inspired by Real-Life Frustrations
Julia LeStage, who returned to the dating world after a break, found traditional apps to be uninspiring. She described them as more like job application forms than opportunities to meet someone exciting. Her idea for LoveJack was sparked by her time judging the Webby Awards, where acceptance speeches are limited to five words. That simplicity left a mark—and eventually inspired this app.
She began testing the five-word approach on dates and found that people often chose words that revealed their mindset and interests. “It’s the story behind the words that makes a connection,” she explained. For example, one user listed the word “disco,” which led to a deeper conversation about music history.
Features Designed to Spark Connection
LoveJack offers two key actions: “Bet On” and “Hold.” Betting on a match is like expressing interest, but with a twist—you must send a five-word message along with it. The Hold option lets users save a profile for later if they’re unsure.
To encourage thoughtfulness, users are limited to five matches per day, and their five-word description can be updated daily. These updates are archived, giving matches insight into a person’s evolving moods and personality.
Other standout features include:
- “All In” button (Premium): Users can use all five bets on a single person, disabling matching with others for that day—LoveJack’s version of a “Super Like.”
- Preset goodbye messages: Instead of abrupt unmatches, the app sends a pre-written note, reducing the sting of ghosting.
- Fake names for privacy: To protect user identity, the app encourages pseudonyms, though this may receive mixed feedback depending on user preference.
Safety and Security
LoveJack is also placing emphasis on user safety. The app will include:
- Selfie verification
- Reporting and blocking tools
- Filtered content to prevent explicit images or abusive language
- Emergency contact options (planned for full launch)
Launch and India Rollout
LoveJack’s iOS app will debut next month, first in London, followed by major U.S. cities like New York, Boston, and San Francisco. An Android version is expected to launch in India by late summer, bringing this new-age dating concept to one of the world’s fastest-growing mobile user bases.
Interested users can join the waitlist now at lovejack.app for early access.
