New Dating Site Matches Singles by Their Browser History
▼ Summary
– A new dating platform, Browser Dating, matches users based on their browser histories, aiming to reveal unfiltered personal interests rather than curated profiles.
– Developer Dries Depoorter created the site to offer an honest alternative to traditional dating apps, which often prioritize idealized self-presentation.
– Online dating remains popular, with 42% of US adults finding it easier to meet partners through these platforms, despite their flaws.
– Browser Dating requires users to upload their full browser history, generating a “browsing personality profile” and matching based on shared online behaviors.
– The platform currently has fewer than 1,000 users, and matches reveal “fun facts” about shared interests without exposing full search histories.
Finding love might soon depend on what you search for online rather than how you present yourself on dating apps. A new platform called Browser Dating is turning the traditional approach to digital romance upside down by matching singles based on their actual internet activity—from late-night Wikipedia deep dives to questionable health queries.
For years, dating apps have relied on carefully curated profiles, strategic photo angles, and witty bios to attract potential partners. But what if compatibility wasn’t about polished self-presentation but raw, unfiltered browsing habits? That’s the premise behind Browser Dating, created by Belgian artist and developer Dries Depoorter. Unlike mainstream apps like Hinge or Bumble, where users control their image, this platform strips away the façade by analyzing search histories to reveal shared quirks and interests.
The concept leans into authenticity rather than illusion. Depoorter argues that browser data offers a more honest glimpse into someone’s personality than staged photos or rehearsed bios. “You can’t cherry-pick your search history,” he says. “It shows sides of yourself you’d never intentionally share.” The idea may sound invasive, but in an era where online dating often feels performative, Browser Dating aims to cut through the noise by highlighting genuine connections.
Currently, the platform is still in its early stages, with fewer than 1,000 users since its recent launch. To join, members must install a browser extension that exports their search history to the site. Profiles display basic details—age, location, gender—alongside a “browsing personality” summary. Matches are generated based on overlapping online behaviors, though users won’t see each other’s full search logs. Instead, they receive “fun facts” highlighting common interests, like a mutual fascination with obscure historical events or similar late-night browsing patterns.
While privacy concerns are inevitable, Depoorter insists the project is legitimate. He acknowledges the irony of pitching transparency in an age where digital footprints are often guarded. Yet, as online dating becomes increasingly algorithmic, Browser Dating offers a provocative alternative—one where love might spark over shared curiosity rather than carefully crafted first impressions.
Whether the idea catches on remains to be seen. But for those tired of swiping through idealized profiles, it presents an intriguing, if unconventional, way to meet someone who truly gets them—search history and all.
(Source: Wired)
