Gay Men Flocked to Goose for Friendship. Some Still Feel Excluded
The dating app Goose, marketed as an anti-algorithm platform for friendship, is facing criticism for flawed moderation and exclusionary practices. Users report that the app struggles to balance its non-sexual mission with its invite-only, club-like atmosphere.
Why it matters
It reflects the ongoing challenges of digital community building and the difficulty of moderating niche social platforms.
When Erick Hall heard that Goose, a new “anti-algorithm” dating app, was less focused on hookups, he was drawn to its mission.
The New York City–based OnlyFans creator, who has over 800,000 followers on X, explains he has to hook up “all the time” for work. Because Goose was marketing itself as an alternative to that, he was curious what it had to offer.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in