Sniffies: Map-Based Gay Hookup Platform

Sniffies is a map-based hookup app for gay and bi men. The platform caters to ‘Cruisers’, men who are walking or driving about certain areas looking for a casual connection.

Sniffies sets itself apart from other apps such as Grindr because it is specific about its value: creating hookups. Eli Martin, the platform’s Chief Marketing Officer, told Slate Magazine:

“Grindr’s really become like a Facebook. It’s like you can go on there and you can find anything. You can find a boyfriend; you can maybe sell a car. Who knows, find your best friend. But Sniffies is superspecific. You’re going on there to find guys, have these intimate experiences…”.

The platform provides users with a real time map that is updated to show nearby Cruisers, popular meeting spots, and active groups. As part of its casual vibe, the platform has multiple options to protect privacy and anonymise interactions between users.

Unless you sign up to Sniffies Plus, users will automatically show up on the real time map when using the app. However, the app won’t display users’ actual location, instead adjusting it into a pseudo-location.

Cruisers who are hosting a meetup will show up with an orange ring on the map, with the ability to specify certain details. For example they can state whether they’ll be meeting in a car, in a hotel room, or at his place.

Beyond the map-based features, the Sniffies platform also provides traditional text-based chat, as well as live video calling. The ability to video call with the ‘LivePlay’ tool helps users to see if they vibe before meeting in-person, the platform explains.

User profiles involve a profile photo and certain details which specify what the individual is looking for. Nudity is allowed in profile photos, which restricts Sniffies from being found on the established app stores.

You can find out more about the platform on its website here. 

Photo courtesy of Sniffies.