Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about how Cohort works. For the story behind the product, read About.
What is Cohort?
Cohort is an invite-only dating product that places you in small weekly groups aligned by dating intent. You send a limited number of sparks per week; when someone accepts, you enter a guided multi-step thread before photos and open chat.
Why small cohorts?
Large feeds optimize for endless browsing. A small cohort keeps the social field legible - you can notice who is actually present and aligned with how you want to date right now.
What is a spark?
A spark is a deliberate signal of interest toward someone in your cohort. Sparks are capped per week so attention stays meaningful rather than sprayed across dozens of profiles.
What happens in the thread?
You move through timed steps with paired reveals. You answer in writing and, when the thread calls for it, with short voice recorded inside the conversation - not detached from context. The flow adapts to your dating intent and this pairing; we do not list exact wording on the marketing site.
How is Cohort different from mainstream dating apps?
Feed-first apps optimize discovery breadth and early messaging volume. Cohort caps sparks, groups people by intent in small weekly cohorts, runs a guided thread before open chat, and uses recap plus contract so reciprocity and pace are explicit. That trades browsing speed for clarity.
What are the tradeoffs?
You get alignment and structure at the cost of speed: fewer profiles per session, waits for invites or cohort placement, and a format that can feel formal compared with jumping straight into DM. If you want maximum optionality and instant chat with many people, other products may suit you better.
Why voice inside the thread instead of on the profile?
Voice carries tone that text misses, but profile-first audio often becomes performance. In-thread voice stays tied to what you are actually discussing together.
What are recap and contract?
After the thread steps, you see a recap of what you shared, then a mutual contract step: do you both want to continue, and at what pace? Photos and chat unlock after that mutual clarity.
Why not swipe and chat like other apps?
Swipe-chat loops reward volume and premature intimacy. We sequence cohort, spark, guided thread, recap, and contract so reciprocity and intent surface before unstructured messaging.
How do invites work?
You request access and we review requests manually while cohorts stay small - to keep placement workable and to confirm newcomers understand Cohort's pace.
Where is Cohort available?
We are starting in Berlin and rolling out across Germany, then the US, with a longer-term global path. Follow Updates for openings.
How do I get help?
Email hello@meetcohort.co for general questions. Signed-in members can use in-app help for account-specific issues.