Interview Summary — Mason

1. Motivation & App Choice

• Began using dating apps (Tinder first, later Bumble) after being single for 2–3 years.
• Initial exposure came from YouTube influencers introducing dating apps.
• Main motivation: casual chatting, meeting new people rather than seeking a serious relationship.
• Finds Tinder simpler to use; prefers its interface to Bumble’s.
• Sees dating apps as social platforms, not only for romance — a way to talk to people from different industries and age groups.

2. Use Patterns

• Does not set many filters (age, distance) — uses apps casually, often while commuting.
• Spends about 10 minutes per day on apps, mainly to pass time.
• Usually swipes right without paying for premium features like “superlike.”
• Avoids revealing too much in his own profile (only basic info, older photos to stay “lowkey”).
• Keeps older photos so that nearby friends don’t recognize him; shows concern for privacy and visibility.

3. Perception of Profiles & Algorithms

• Pays attention to education, occupation, and interests when viewing others’ profiles.
• Believes dating apps’ algorithms may not fully reflect personal preferences or adapt to changing tastes.
• Thinks realness is uncertain—even with Bumble’s verification system, fake photos can still exist.
• Treats filtering as neutral; respects others’ identity tags (e.g., LGBTQ, feminism) without strong opinions.