Here's What Happens When a Dating App Includes Credit Scores

What do you look for in a partner? Is it the eyes that captivate you, or a great sense of humor? What about credit score? How much weight does a potential partner's credit score carry? If you're like a growing number of singles, it's pretty darn important. In fact, it's so important that a dating app, (aptly named) Score, targets only individuals with good to excellent credit scores. Here's how it all started.

The new thing to do

According to Pew Research Center, there are over 1,000 online dating platforms available, and 30% of U.S. adults have used a dating app at some point in their lives. The sheer number of people who've used dating apps makes what happened when one woman posted her credit score even more surprising. The act went viral.

A dating app user named Leah Nicewander posted a TikTok video in February 2023 sharing what happened when she included her exceptional credit score of 811 on the app. According to Nicewander, she got 17 dates in 30 days.

Nicewander's story picked up so much steam that others were inspired to do the same, including a Dallas woman who reports having 224 matches since sharing her high credit score. What's more, she says that her dates frequently ask how she got such a good score and for tips on how they can improve their own credit score.

And now, one year later, Score has entered the dating app market. What sets Score apart from its competitors is the fact that all its users have -- at the very least -- a good credit score.

Applicants must qualify

Score is the brainchild of technology company Neon Money Club. To qualify, applicants must pass an Equifax credit check with a score of 675 or higher. A good credit score is meant to signal potential lenders that a person has handled their money well in the past. What it does not illustrate is how much money a person has in their bank account, whether they invest for retirement, or how carefully they manage their money.

Score supporters consider the new app a way for singles to be transparent about their finances, and that may make sense. Forty-two percent of American adults report arguing with their partner over money. Perhaps an app like Score is one way to prompt potential couples to discuss financial issues before getting serious.

There are critics

Critics worry that apps like Score could unfairly penalize people with lower credit scores. A person's credit score can drop for a range of reasons, including illness, divorce, or fraud. A credit score is more like a snapshot in time, and does not necessarily indicate how well a person has done with finances throughout their adult lives.

A credit score cannot capture a person's desirable qualities, like honesty, humor, or dedication to family and friends.

Will this become a widespread trend?

Given that Score has been in operation for less than a month, we have no indication of whether it will soar or fall flat. Chances are, if the app is successful, we'll see more dating apps move toward personal finance transparency. If not, it could fizzle out like a bad first date.

What we do know is that having an honest financial conversation with a partner is a vital part of building a strong relationship. It may not happen on the first date, but it needs to happen at some point.