

App of the week: Is ‘The League’ the most exclusive dating app yet?
Words: Holly Macnaghten
Most people give up chocolate or drinking for lent, this year however I decided to give up dating. More specifically, dating apps. Not only did they drain the battery on my phone by the time I’d got off the bus in the morning, but I’m pretty sure I was beginning to get repetitive strain syndrome in my right thumb from continuous left swiping, oh and the majority of people were less than desirable matches. The initial excitement of getting a “You’ve got a match” would quickly diminish when I was swiftly either propositioned for sex without even a Hi, how are you? Or a long and awkward digital silence would ensue until someone with dutch courage would message the other at 2AM. The worst however was when I was half way through a business meeting with a luxury brand Press Officer and he announced (2 Gin & Tonics later) that I had come up on his Tinder! I’m not sure what was more embarrassing – the fact he had come across me on it in the first place, or the fact I hadn’t swiped right. Regardless, it was time to bid farewell to any dating App, but then we found out about The League.
If you, like us, are sick of knowing that the world and his wife have seen you pop up on Tinder, have been creeped out by happn or simply haven’t met the right kind of person on match.com, then this might just be for you – if you get accepted of course.
The App, developed by founder and chief executive, Amanda Bradford, takes similarities from Tinder, but adds LinkedIn and geolocation data about what someone does and roughly where they live to the profile, meaning that app users get more of a sense of who a person actually is and whether they’re someone they want to date.
An instant pro of the app has to be the fact your profile is hidden from friends and colleagues, so no one needs to know you’ve got it. The big catch however, is that membership is not guaranteed, “an advanced screening algorithm keeps our community well-balanced and high-quality,” says the app’s website. There’s a pretty large wait-list and it’s currently only available in the US, but no doubt will be making it’s way across the pond in no time. So if you’re career orientated and have at least accomplished something (it’s not all Ivy-League and CEO’s) then maybe this is the app for you, and even cause for me to break my lent – although god knows if we’d even make it through the screening.
WHAT THEY SAY…You’re smart, busy & ambitious. You don’t need a dating app to get a date – you’re too popular as it is. But you should join The League – here’s why:Keep It Classy: We hide your profile from friends, business contacts & coworkers – the whole office doesn’t have to know you’re on the prowl.You Deserve the Best: We’re not saying Tinder doesn’t have its uses (hello Vegas!) but why not spend your time a little more…intelligently?Your Time Is Valuable: We get it. You’re super picky and constantly overcommitted. Tell us your preferences and let us do the scouting.Skip the Vetting: Let’s admit it – we all do ‘research’ via social media. We’ll show you their bio up front, so that when you swipe right, you mean it.

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