 | |
| Initial release | August 14, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 4.0 / August 2, 2019 |
| Operating system | iOS, Android |
| Available in | English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Dutch |
| Website | hily |
Hily is an online dating application that matches users by analyzing users' backgrounds, interests, and app activity. The name Hily is an acronym for "Hey, I Like You."
Hily was founded by Alex Pasykov, [1] alongside co-founders Dmytro Kononov [2] [3] and Jake Vygnan. [4] [5] The concept for the app originated from Pronin's background in analytics and statistical modeling. [4] It was designed to connect prospective partners based on similar interests, instead of geographic location and physical attractiveness. [6] [7]
Hily was initially released in August 2017. By October 2017, the app had 35,000 users during its closed beta stage. [4] Hily later acquired additional users through a partnership with Snapchat. [8] Later, it was expanded to the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Japan, and Mexico. [8] [9]
By August 2019, Hily had more than 5 million active users. [10]
Hily employs statistical algorithms to analyze data such as depth of dialogue, word choice, and mutual likes to identify profiles with a high probability for a match. [4] [6] Its "risk score" evaluates user profiles, using criteria such as verification status, user complaints, and other activity metrics instead of an "attractiveness score." [4]
Hily requires account verification to confirm authenticity, using methods such as live photo capture, official ID uploads, or social media integration. [4] It employs real-time image verification for new accounts, and its matching algorithm improves as user engagement increases. [4] The app's registration options for gender include male, female, and non-binary. [11]
In 2020, Hily introduced compatibility checks and video calls. [5] The app also provides suggested icebreakers to facilitate initial interactions. [12]