Why Two Researchers Made Their Own App: Gaining Access to Dating App Data That’s Hard to Get

In the age of swiping left or right, dating apps collect a lot of behavioral data — from who you like, to when you match, and even how long you wait to reply. While this wealth of useful data could revolutionize our understanding of human connection, it’s mostly locked away. For many academics, getting access to this treasure trove of human behavior has been incredibly hard.

That’s why two researchers at the University of Michigan decided they were done waiting for cooperation from tech giants — and made their own app. This bold move not only gives them direct data access, but it might also be the beginning of a new era of apps built with science, ethics, and insight in mind.

Let’s delve into the full story and explore its implications for relationships, research, and the future of digital intimacy.

The Hidden Treasure Trove of Dating App Data

Dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge are more than just digital matchmakers — they’re behavioral tracking machines. These platforms collect a lot of useful signals, such as:

• Swipe preferences
• Profile viewing time
• Match success rates
• Timing of messages and responses

This data offers profound insight into what people want, how they behave when searching for partners, and even how they react to rejection. But while dating apps collect a lot, they don’t often share this data with the researchers who could help us all better understand love and relationships.

That’s right: all that swiping? It’s sitting behind corporate walls — easily collected by apps, but not so easily accessible to the scientific community.

Why Researchers Need This Data So Badly

Behavioral data from dating apps isn’t just about understanding who’s popular — it’s about exploring some of the biggest questions in human psychology and sociology:

• What patterns lead to lasting relationships?
• How do people navigate emotional vulnerability online?
• How does anxiety impact decision-making when dating?

This type of lot of useful data could help social scientists, relationship counselors, educators, and even app designers create better tools for real human needs. But when that data is locked up by private companies, it blocks opportunities that could help researchers better understand not just user behavior, but emotional well-being.

In many cases, companies simply don’t want to risk privacy backlash or expose trade secrets. That leaves researchers in a bind: the data they need is collected — just not shared.

How Two Researchers at the University Built Their Own App

When your emails go unanswered and your proposals get declined, you have two choices: give up or innovate.

That’s exactly what two scientists made sure not to do. Two researchers at the University of Michigan, sociologist Elizabeth Bruch and psychologist Amie Gordon, were both frustrated by the barriers they faced in acquiring usable data. So they didn’t wait. They made their own app instead.

Their goal wasn’t just to build another Tinder clone — it was to create an app that they could use for both research and real user interaction.

Revel: The App That Was Created to Collect Data — Ethically

The result is Revel — a dating app custom-built by and for researchers. What makes Revel different?

• It was created to collect relationship behavior in real time
• Every user gives informed consent for their data to be used in studies
• All information is anonymized and ethically stored

Because Revel is a research-focused app, it’s able to test hypotheses in live environments. For instance, the team can explore how small tweaks in profile prompts impact match rates or if mutual interests lead to longer conversations.

Balancing User Experience and Scientific Insight

While many academic tools suffer from clunky interfaces, the University of Michigan is using real design principles to make sure users still have a smooth dating experience.

• It doesn’t feel like a lab experiment
• Matches are still organic
• The app encourages reflection and emotional safety

It’s not just science — it’s smart, ethical dating by design.

Why Traditional Dating Apps Fall Short for Science

It might seem like apps like Tinder would love to partner with researchers. After all, wouldn’t better insights lead to better matching? The reality is more complex.

• Companies prioritize profit over transparency
• Sharing data could create PR or privacy headaches
• Internal research teams rarely allow external access

Even when researchers get a foot in the door, they’re often met with red tape and limitations. That’s why access remains hard. And why the idea that two scientists made their own app is so revolutionary.

“I felt very stymied in my ability to test ideas or run live experiments,” Bruch said. “So we decided to take control of the process.”

A New Era of User-Centered, Research-Informed Apps

By bypassing big tech and building their own tools, the two researchers at the University unlocked a new model: ethical, user-informed research from the ground up.

This means Revel isn’t just collecting data for academic papers — it’s also empowering users to engage more mindfully with their own dating behaviors.

Who Are the Users That Could Help Researchers?

Primarily, college students at the University of Michigan, but the approach can scale. If more institutions adopt this model, we may see:

• Apps that teach digital literacy through dating
• Relationship wellness programs powered by real-world insights
• A shift from exploitative to educational app design

This is research not just on people, but with people.

Ethics in Action: When Love Meets Research Integrity

You may be wondering: Is this just academic surveillance disguised as dating?

Not even close.

Revel sets a high bar for ethical design:

• Participants opt in freely and understand their role
• The app is transparent about how data is used
• There’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversight for all studies

Unlike traditional dating apps that collect and monetize data quietly, Revel builds trust by giving users control.

This model could help researchers better understand not just relationships, but also how to ethically gather digital behavioral data at scale.

What Experts Say the App Could Lead To

According to psychologists and sociologists in the field, tools like Revel:

• Offer better insight into modern relationships
• Could improve how future apps are designed
• Help users navigate digital dating with emotional intelligence

More than just a research tool, Revel may serve as a blueprint for future platforms — ones that are made to help, not just profit.

Experts say the app could usher in a new age of collaboration between tech and academia.

Final Thoughts: Why This Story Matters Now

In an age of increasing digital isolation and algorithmic intimacy, understanding how we form connections is more important than ever.

What Bruch and Gordon built isn’t just a workaround for academic obstacles — it’s a wake-up call. It proves that with creativity, ethical clarity, and user-first thinking, apps can serve society and science.

And while their journey started on a single campus, it offers a hopeful vision for anyone asking: Can technology actually help us love better?