POF Launches New Event to Help Users Virtually Date

POF is taking virtual dating to the next level with a new initiative called NextDate Social Hours on its POF Live! platform.

NextDate is like virtual speed dating, where users have the opportunity not only to meet new people but also win prizes for participating. Users can go to POF Live! and hit the “go live” button to join while the speed dating hours are in session. They can join NextDate by clicking the heart at the bottom on their screens.

Once a user has joined NextDate, they will get paired with a potential match who has also joined. Then each of you is given some prompts to ask questions and get to know each other while other participants can watch and send hearts and other virtual gifts of encouragement, according to POF’s blog.

You can chat for about 90 seconds before deciding whether there’s a spark. If so, you can click the “date” button in the video feed, and if your virtual date also chooses yes, then you both match up and are able to continue your conversation one-on-one. If you’re not feeling it, then you can click “next” and move on to your next match. If one of you clicks “date” and the other “next,” you won’t be matched for one-on-one video chats.

NextDate Social Hours began April 23rd and will run every Thursday and Saturday night from 10pm – 11pm EST until May 30th.

POF is offering prizes for those using the new feature. They will be giving away 8,000 credits (worth about about $50) per person to the first 25 couples who have chosen each other to “date” and been matched up on NextDate. (POF will be doing this for each event, though the company says each person can only enter to win once throughout the promotion – and once you win, you may not qualify again.) 

Credits will be added to each winner’s account within 48 hours, and winners can use the credits to get access to premium features on the app. POF will be giving away $30,000 worth of prizes in total to 600 recipients and 4,800,000 credits. The contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents (excluding New York, Florida and Quebec) with a POF, MeetMe or Skout account. 

POF launched its new Live! feature last month to help people who are sheltering at home and turning to their dating apps to connect. NextDate is a new way to highlight the feature, and the live stream capability provides a unique twist on how users can connect over a dating app.

For more on this dating service you can read our review of Plenty of Fish.