We’re excited to share some fantastic insight into the mission and vision behind Smash, the casual dating app that’s changing the game. Recently featured in an article by DatingNews.com, Smash is highlighted as a groundbreaking platform that’s tackling one of the biggest frustrations in online dating—ghosting—and making real-life connections not just possible, but effortless.

At Smash, our mission has always been clear: to simplify the casual dating experience and bring back the fun, spontaneity, and excitement of meeting new people in real life. Unlike traditional dating apps that often keep users trapped in endless swiping and messaging, Smash is designed to cut through the noise. We focus on getting you off the app and into real-world interactions with people in your area, fast.

The DatingNews.com article dives deep into how we’ve built Smash to be different—whether it’s through our unique 12-hour profile lifespan that encourages immediate connections, or our commitment to safety with advanced AI tools that protect your anonymity and ban bad actors. Every feature of Smash is crafted with one goal in mind: to create authentic, in-person connections without the hassle.

We invite you to take a moment and explore this insightful piece by DatingNews.com to learn more about how Smash is redefining casual dating for the modern era. Read the full article here, and discover how Smash is helping users connect in more meaningful ways, free from the common pitfalls of online dating. We’re proud to be leading this change and can’t wait for you to experience what Smash has to offer!

DatingNews.com covers the latest news in the dating sphere curated by an expert team of dating editors.

Ever taken a selfie and thought, “Do I really look like that?”. Don’t worry; you’re not alone. 

Selfies are difficult—unless you’re an A-list celebrity spending thousands on makeup and digital designers. But for the everyday “Normal” person, it’s usually a cringy thought and something we want to avoid. 

Are you that “Normal” person? Great, Smash can help! Smash takes selfies and dating to another level. Instead of uploading your best photo (we’re all guilty of this), it requests a new selfie every few hours. 

“But, Smash, why would you do this?”. We wanted to reduce the number of catfishers on dating apps (which is a whopping 40% of users) and provide you with a more realistic experience. 

However, that does leave us with one issue. You need to know how to take a great selfie. 

How to take the perfect selfie 

1. Camera quality

What’s the number 1 way to ruin a beautiful selfie? Well, poor camera quality. Trust us, ladies and gentlemen, it isn’t appealing.

Luckily, most of us have a good-quality camera. Experts suggest a somewhat “Decent” camera is around 6 megapixels, and, conveniently, our trusty little iPhones X’s (and newer generations) have higher megapixels.

But wait. That isn’t all. You can generally make your photos appear higher quality by:

• Using a light source behind the camera that points toward your face. 
• Avoiding flash, as this can make your skin look shiny and greasy. 
• Balancing your camera on something stable or invest in a tripod, as this can help with focusing (more about this below)

Great. You know one of the six tips on how to take a great selfie, meaning you’re now 16.66% more likely to get a match! 

2. Focus

A camera’s focus helps bring attention to an area in a photo. And what’s the most critical element of a selfie? You! 

Luckily, focusing on an image is somewhat simple. Why? Well, 85% of Americans have a smartphone, which generally come with two photo-focusing features: 

• Auto-focus – The smartphone will automatically focus on the larger object in the frame. 
• Manual-focus – You will need to tap on your screen before taking a photo to get the camera to focus on that particular area. 

It doesn’t matter which is supported by your smartphone; make sure the camera is focused on you. If it’s focused on another object in the frame, it’ll make you appear a blurry mess—not ideal for a dating app. 

3.   Physical appearance 

Have a good personality? Great. But right now, that doesn’t help. Users of Smash will only see an image of you and nothing else. Therefore, physical appearance matters the most. 

When you get noticed about updating your selfie, prepare yourself. Don’t sit on the couch and take a selfie. Instead, freshen up. Even if this is a quick 5 to 10 minutes makeover, it’s better than nothing. 

4.   Background 

A good background can make your selfies on dating apps 10x better. For example, it could be a plain white background with good lighting or somewhere more “Fun,” like a beach. 

Wherever you might be, make sure you:

• Have good lighting – Whether you’re indoors or outside, prioritize lighting. If you’re indoors, use natural lighting, and outdoors, try to take selfies in shaded areas.
• Take a photo at the right time – The best time to take a selfie is outside, an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset. 
• Move to the side – If you want the background to stand out, move a couple of frames to the left or right. 
• Getting the angle right – The best selfie angle for a woman is slightly above their head. For men, this is below your head. 

Want the match of your dreams? Make sure you use these tips the next time you need to take a great selfie on Smash. 

5.   Additional extras 

Selfies can always be more than just your face. Think outside the box and potentially use some additional extras. 

These can vary based on your interests, hobbies, or personality. However, it’s been proven that images with additional extras, like dogs, have a 60% higher rate of getting a match! That’s a lot! 

Don’t have a dog? No problem, this could also be a guitar, a flower, or even a cat (Yes, a cat…).

6. Be yourself

Nowadays, online is all about being someone else. But be yourself! Perhaps you like tacos, dancing, or even windsurfing; show it! Doing this will allow viewers of your selfie to better understand who you’re as a person. 

Great, you now know the 6 tips on how to take the perfect selfie. With this knowledge, you should be able to get 100% more matches on Smash.

What to avoid when taking a selfie on Smash 

Now you know these tips, taking selfies is a breeze. However, there are still common mistakes we see tonnes of people making. Don’t be like this, and avoid the below at all costs: 

• Nudity – Smash has a no-nudity policy, so cover yourself up! 
• Strange angles – When taking a selfie, think “Kim K’s” angles, ensuring the camera isn’t too high or low. 
• Too much face – Your face is great, but don’t show too much! 
• Ignoring your audience – Use selfies to attract the person you want. Like footballers? Then don’t post on a basketball court! 

Selfies on dating apps must avoid the above. Doing this will make you appear much more attractive to the potential matches. 

Are you ready for a date? 

Now the time has come… Are you ready to start dating and finding your dream hook-up? 

Start putting these tips into action today with our hook-up app for casual dating, Smash. Smash doesn’t require lengthy bios/profiles, personal information, or forever-lasting unwanted matches. 

Instead, we offer a fresh way to find casual dating companions without all the unnecessary effort. To start today, download Smash on iOS or the Google Play Store. 

Welcome to the wonderful world of Smash, the casual dating app where sparks can fly and connections can be made! While we’re all about spreading love and creating meaningful connections, it’s crucial to prioritise your safety in the online dating realm. To ensure you have a blast without any unpleasant surprises, we’ve compiled a list of 10 suggestions on how to stay safe while using Smash. Let’s dive in!

Keep it Mysterious: No Sherlocking Required

As tempting as it may be to divulge all your personal information to your match right off the bat, remember that a little mystery goes a long way. Avoid sharing sensitive details like your full name, address, phone number, or social media account details until you’ve established trust.

Be our BFF

While we understand the urge to take conversations to other messaging apps, sticking to Smash’s platform can be a wise move. By staying within the app, you ensure that the spam-detection algorithms are working their magic to protect you from unwanted attention. Be wary if your matches make hasty suggestions to move to Snapchat or other platforms. Let the Smash team be your trusty wingman!

Gift Cards, Money, and Gas—Oh My!

If your match starts asking for gift cards, money, or gas, it’s time to hit the brakes. Be cautious of anyone who seems a little too interested in your wallet rather than your wonderful personality. Remember, love doesn’t cost a thing (except maybe some ice cream on the first date).

Location, Location, Location – But Not Too Precise

While it’s thrilling to connect with someone nearby, resist the urge to reveal your exact whereabouts. Sharing your general city or neighbourhood is enough to gauge compatibility without giving away too much. We want to foster romance, not a real-life Where’s Waldo game.

Red Flags? Wave Them High and Proud

If your match raises any red flags—like being evasive about their own personal information, acting suspiciously, or exhibiting erratic behavior—trust your gut. You’re a skilled flag-waver, so don’t be afraid to unmatch and move on. You deserve someone who respects and values your safety.

When in Doubt, Google It Out

If your date seems too good to be true or sends your intuition into overdrive, embrace your inner sleuth. A quick Google search can provide valuable insights and help confirm their identity. Just don’t go overboard and end up in the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories. We’re here for love, not a thriller movie.

Chat, Chat, and Chat Some More

Before taking the plunge and meeting face-to-face, make sure to spend enough time chatting and getting to know your match. Engaging in meaningful conversations can help you gauge their compatibility, values, and intentions. Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity to unleash your best jokes and witty banter!

Friends to the Rescue

Your friends are your ultimate safety net in the dating world. Share the details of your plans with a trusted pal and keep them updated throughout the process. They’ll be your virtual cheerleaders and can provide a reality check when needed. Remember, two heads are better than one when it comes to dating!

“ABC” Always Be Cautious

In the wise words of Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, “I will not be ignored.” If your match is too pushy or disregards your boundaries, it’s time to take a step back. Your safety and comfort should always be the top priority. Don’t be afraid to assert yourself and set boundaries like a dating champ!

Trust Your Instincts!

The Heart Knows Best Ultimately, you hold the key to your own safety.

Let’s go back a few years… Who remembers “like for looks” on social media or “Ping for rating” on Blackberry phones, or even “Spin the Bottle”? We can remember this like it was yesterday and what a time it was. 

Playing these games allows you to “rate” the looks of people participating. It was the perfect opportunity to flirt or give someone a hint that you’re interested in them while having some fun.

We all played or participated in these games back in the day. However, it only became popular when smartphones started getting released. 

If we go back even further, there was another game called Smash or Pass; an absolute classic! 

Smash or Pass meaning 

The meaning behind Smash or Pass is what you think. In this game, players are shown images or ask their friends about a particular person and will be asked whether they would “smash” (meaning, whether they would be interested in pursuing a romantic or sexual relationship with the person) or “pass” (meaning, they would not be interested). 

What makes Smash or Pass interesting is how it can be played and how it evolved over the last few decades. In the earlier days, the game would be played amongst friends. 

A group of men or women would ask their friends, would you Smash or Pass this person (this person could be a friend, stranger, celebrity, etc.)? For example – “look at him/her; would you Smash or Pass?” A person or group of people would then give their opinions. Of course, this is usually about visual appearance rather than personality, interest, etc. 

However, nowadays, it isn’t played like this. It’s 2023 people; we have digital devices and unlimited fast internet almost worldwide. Now, it’s played on a digital format, giving us unlimited Smash or Pass enjoyment. 

The Smash or Pass game has changed over the years… 

Moving forward a few years and onto the digital world, the Smash or Pass game has changed massively. It doesn’t get played a lot in real life; now, it’s played online. 

The funny thing, you might not even know you’re playing it. Nowadays, it’s played on dating apps like Smash, and you don’t even realize it. An application of this type will show you a picture of a man or woman; you’ll then swipe to like or dislike the individual. 

Does that sound familiar? It sure does! It’s the same concept as Smash or Pass, just played differently. 

Should you Smash or Pass?

Smash or Pass will always remain a classic. It was an excellent game to play on road trips, at sleepovers, or even in-person at a bar. 

However, the concept has now moved online. And, truthfully, there’s no issue with that. Smash or Pass is perfect for dating, as it can indicate to someone whether they’re physically or romantically attracted to an individual from the get-go. 

Maybe you knew about this game before, maybe not. Either way, re-introduce it and start bringing it back into the real world!