Introducing the new Ballroom Dating app

Ballroom Research. April 4, 2025

Finally, a dating app built on science, not superficial swiping.

In today's fast-paced digital dating landscape, finding genuine connections has become increasingly challenging. Despite the proliferation of dating apps, many users report frustration with superficial interactions, mismatched expectations, and the never-ending cycle of profile swiping. That's why we're thrilled to introduce Ballroom – a video-only dating app designed from the ground up using the latest research on romantic compatibility.

The Problem with Traditional Dating Apps

Traditional dating apps have revolutionized how people meet potential partners, but they've also created new challenges. Research shows that while physical attraction often drives initial selection on these platforms, it's a poor predictor of long-term compatibility compared to values alignment, communication style, and shared life goals.

A 2023 study published in Personality and Individual Differences identified 24 distinct dimensions of compatibility, with lifestyle, opinions, and morals ranking as particularly significant for relationship success¹. Yet most dating apps continue to prioritize photos and basic demographic information, missing these crucial compatibility factors.

A Research-Based Approach to Compatibility

Ballroom takes a fundamentally different approach. Our onboarding flow is designed based on comprehensive research into what actually makes people compatible in romantic relationships. Rather than focusing solely on surface-level attributes, we've developed a series of questions that assess the characteristics and values most strongly correlated with relationship satisfaction and longevity.

For example, Match's 2024 "Singles in America" study found that 73% of singles across genders consider financial stability a top quality they look for in potential partners². Similarly, emotional maturity has emerged as the most desired trait among singles today, outranking all other characteristics according to recent surveys³.

Our onboarding questions are carefully crafted to capture these essential dimensions while remaining engaging and intuitive. Each question follows a simple pattern with two "extremes" and a balanced middle option.

Sample Questions from Our Onboarding Flow

This question assesses communication style, which research consistently identifies as one of the most critical compatibility factors. Studies show that poor communication is among the leading causes of relationship dissolution, including divorce⁴.

Research reveals that alignment on relationship goals is a fundamental compatibility factor. In fact, 64% of singles say they want someone who shares their desire for marriage (and 57% want alignment on having children)⁵.

This question explores personality compatibility, as research published in Personality and Individual Differences found that dating app users are more likely to match with those who share their levels of agreeableness, conscientiousness, and extraversion⁶.

AI-Powered Matching Based on What Actually Matters

Ballroom leverages advanced AI to analyze the information collected during our research-based onboarding process. Rather than using algorithms that prioritize superficial traits or app engagement metrics, our technology focuses on connecting people based on the compatibility factors that predict relationship success.

What makes Ballroom truly revolutionary is how our AI also analyzes your video profile to capture nuanced preferences that structured questions can't. When creating your profile video, we ask you to naturally address "What are you looking for in a partner..." – and our AI synthesizes these responses to augment your onboarding answers. This means you can express your desires in your own words, and our system will understand the subtleties of what you're seeking.

For example, if you mention in your video that you love hiking with your dog on weekends, our AI recognizes your active lifestyle and potential preference for animal lovers without requiring specific questions about these topics. This creates a more complete picture of your compatibility needs while keeping the onboarding process streamlined.

Our approach is informed by studies showing that similarity in core values, communication styles, and life goals creates stronger foundations for relationships than physical attraction alone⁸. The AI doesn't just match based on stated preferences – it identifies patterns and compatibility indicators that users themselves might not recognize as important.

Join the Ballroom Revolution

We're building Ballroom because we believe dating can be better. By combining cutting-edge research on compatibility with an authentic video-based approach and intelligent matching technology, we're creating an experience designed for meaningful connections.

If you're tired of endlessly swiping through photos and want to find someone truly compatible, we invite you to join Ballroom. Because finding the right partner isn't about who looks perfect in carefully filtered photos – it's about connecting with someone whose values, communication style, and life vision complement your own.