IHookup review: A no-frills hookup app that’s a mix of sexy and sketchy
Post iHookup is a dating site that’s used for exactly what it sounds like, and is a decent alternative to AdultFriendFinder. But beware — it feels just as scammy as it does sexy.
IHookup review: A no-frills hookup app that’s a mix of sexy and sketchy
Finding a hookup is hard. Tinder and Bumble are the unspoken hookup apps, but swiping anywhere that’s not LA or New York City results in way too much swiping on people you know IRL. And on a standard dating site, unless someone puts «only looking for friends with benefits» in their bio, it can be difficult to make sure that you’re both on the same page.
A 2017 study by researchers at Stanford found that nearly 40% of American couples meet online — quite the surge from 0% in 1995 and 22% in 2009. It’s easy to assume that, with traditional dating sites and apps like Tinder or Hinge gaining so much success, that online hookup sites would be just as sought after. However, AdultFriendFinder seems to be the only hookup site making money moves, and that raunchy, borderline porn setup is too much of a clusterfuck for a lot of people.
Everyone is on it for the same reason: to hook up
Whether you’re freshly out of a relationship and need to go a little wild, have pent up sexual energy, or are trying to come out of your comfort zone, iHookup could be a place you can go to find whatever type of sexual relationship you’re looking for, whether that be a one-time booty call, friends with benefits situation, or some sexting. There’s no room for confusion here.
The creators definitely weren’t trying to be discreet with a name like iHookup. (For comparison, a name like AdultFriendFinder is hugely misleading.) This is something to keep in mind: If anyone finds your Google search history or app collection on your phone, they’ll immediately know what you’re up to. (At least it’s not Milffuck or something.) But also, props to you for not even trying to hide it. Like hell yeah, I’m trying to get laid tonight.
Surprisingly, a name as explicit as «iHookup» doesn’t land you on a page that’ll get you fired if your boss sees it. You’re greeted with a blurred picture of a (fully clothed) couple in the background and the slogan «Casual dating based on physical attraction» under the headline «Sparks fly.»
iHookup’s goal was clearly to set itself apart from competitors like AdultFriendFinder, which wastes no time telling users to «Join the World’s Largest Adult Dating and Hookup Site.» Kudos for the subtly, I guess, but this is misleading. Once signed up, the home page says things like «Tinder for MILFs» or «Get your premium backdoor access» and other lovely things along those lines. Fortunately, these are really just ads and not actually a part of the site.
The matchmaking algorithm is based on your answers to questions about your sex life, including dirty talky and fetishes, as well as more vague terms like «erotica» and «desire.» It’s way too easy for people to lie about how «erotic» they are or exaggerate how kinky they are. Regardless of how well that actually finds you someone you’d sleep well with, let’s not pretend like iHookup is doing anything to foster a genuinely passionate connection.
One tricky thing is that there are tabs across the top with things like «Cam girls» and «Live shows» that do look like they’re part of iHookup’s features — they’re not. They’ll take you do an external website, and it’s definitely irritating that they try to hide that. (Really though, don’t click on them.)