Taimi (app)
Taimi (teɪmi) is a social networking and dating app that caters to all LGBTQI+ people.[1] The network matches internet users based on their selected preferences and location. Taimi runs on iOS[2] and Android.[3]
Type of site | Dating |
---|---|
Available in | Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish |
Owner | Social Impact Inc. |
Created by | Alex Pasykov |
URL | taimi |
Commercial | Freemium |
Registration | Required |
Current status | Active |
The mobile application has a free and subscription-based premium version. Taimi started out as an online dating application for gay men [4] However, the company announced several times plans for LGBTQI+ inclusive version in the past.[5]
Taimi is available in 45 countries [6]including the United States, Canada, Australia[7] Singapore[8] and Brazil.[9]
History
Taimi was launched in 2017 by Social Impact Inc. in Las Vegas. According to several publications, that is where a group of developers, including Taimi's founder Alex Pasykov came up with a name for the dating app “Tame Me” which gradually morphed into Taimi.[10]
Although Taimi was founded in the United States, the application started to grow in popularity elsewhere, especially in Europe. On October 31, 2018, Taimi announced the launch in the United Kingdom.
On July 20, 2019, Taimi launched in the Netherlands[11], Spain[12] and Spanish-speaking countries in Central and South America [13] followed.
Social Responsibility
Taimi founder and team expressed the desire to fight state-sponsored homophobia around the world. According to the Alex Pasykov, Taimi plans to partner up with several NGOs to fight state-sponsored homophobia.[14]
Some studies have mentioned that Taimi is one of the safest dating apps for LGBTQI+ people.[15] Recently, Taimi partnered up with UNAIDS and LGBT Foundation in support of a ground breaking LGBTI survey.[16]
The company has been a partner of several Pride marches and parades including Los Angeles Pride, New York City Pride, Las Vegas Pride. Taimi also partnered up with the Trevor Project to support LGBTQI+ rights.[17]
Operation
Features
Several media outlets have jumped on the bandwagon and named Taimi the safest dating app for gay men.[18] Security features for Taimi include hand-picked moderation of user-profiles, verified label and two-factor authentication[19]
The application also offers Facebook profile integration as well as Snapchat account to its users. Taimi also has a digest available to everyone as well as video calls and stories.[20]
Reception
The paid subscription is one of the crucial issues for the app. Many users have called to lower the cost of Taimi XL or eliminate it altogether. Taimi refuses to eliminate the feature and states that the basic version of the app is free.[24] Overall the response to the app is positive.[25] However, most reviewers choose to focus on the dating aspect rather than the social network part.[26]
Controversy
In 2018 the app was met with a negative response from LGBTQI+ activists after an article [27] published and shared by several other media outlets[28] focused on a filter that allowed Taimi users to block each other based on HIV status. Taimi swiftly removed the filter and that option is no longer available.
Taimi also encountered controversy on social media with some complaining about its pushy advertising strategies.
References
- "TAIMI becomes LGBTQI+ network". Queer News.
- "Taimi: LGBTIQ+ Dating, Chat". App Store.
- "Taimi — Gay Dating, Chat, Video and Social Network - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com.
- https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/05/04/new-dating-app-taimi-aims-to-build-biggest-and-safest-gay-dating-community/
- "TAIMI becomes UKs first LGBT+ inclusive dating and social network app". August 9, 2019.
- "Taimi marks a major milestone 5 million users worldwide: MarketWatch".
- "Taimi: The gay dating app that will alter the world of gay dating in Australia : THE F".
- "Gay dating app Taimi launches in Singapore". Gay Star News. May 25, 2019.
- "Taimi, app de namoro para gays, é lançado no Brasil na véspera da Parada LGBT - Apps". Canaltech. June 22, 2019.
- "Taimi: Changing the rules in the online gay dating world #ad". The Independent. April 5, 2019.
- "Taimi komt naar Nederland". MarketingTribune.
- "TAIMI – Gay Dating and Social Network launches in Spain!". July 30, 2019.
- "La red social gay que protege tu privacidad aterriza en España". El Español. July 30, 2019.
- "Taimi Celebrates Pride Month With #TaimiPride Awareness Campaign". July 1, 2019.
- Parry, Julien (February 13, 2019). "Most LGBTQ People are Cyberbullied. Here's How to Stay Safe Online".
- "New LGBTQ Happiness Survey".
- "Taimi". LA Pride Parade & Festival in West Hollywood, CA.
- "Gay Dating App Taimi For People Afraid To Be Outed". GCN. May 4, 2018.
- "Taimi: A New Gay Male Dating App Focuses On More Than Just Hookups". June 27, 2018.
- "Taimi XL: What is Taimi XL and how can I subscribe?". slimfaq.com.
- "Negative Reviews: Taimi: LGBTIQ+ Dating, Chat - by Social Impact Inc. - Social Category - 13,054 Reviews - AppGrooves: Get More Out of Life with iPhone & Android Apps". AppGrooves.
- "Taimi Review in 2019 | Read Our Scam Report! - RomanceScams.org".
- "Taimi - A New Gay Dating and Social Network | NewsWatch Review". December 12, 2018.
- "Taimi | Getting Your Gay Date Easier By Joining The LGBT Dating App". www.hookupgeek.com.
- Ho, Erica (July 3, 2019). "Best Dating Apps in Asia: Dissecting The Lovernet For All You Single Pringles".
- Gremore, Graham (May 4, 2018). "New dating app hopes to "strengthen the LGBT+ community" by letting you block HIV-positive guys". www.queerty.com.
- "Homosexuals Furious After LGBT Hookup App Allows Users To Block People Who Have HIV From Their Searches". May 4, 2018.
Further reading
- Imagining Interventions for Collective Sex Environments, Flowers, P. & Frankis, J. Arch Sex Behav (2019) 48: 35. Imagining Interventions for Collective Sex Environments | SpringerLink
- Smartphone Battery Levels and Sexual Decision-Making Among Men Who Have Sex with Men, Lopes, A., Skoda, K. & Pedersen, C.L. Sexuality & Culture (2019).