“People really put their shit out there and say what they’re into”

Naomi, 36, Midlands

About two months ago I came out of a six-year relationship and joined the apps to try out something casual. People seem to have been flocking from Hinge to Feeld to escape all those cringe prompt questions. In the end, I found it all a bit transactional: when I was speaking to a guy on there, he went straight into asking about my sexual preferences – no small talk whatsoever. People really put their shit out there and say what they’re into, and kudos to them. What Feeld helped me to realise is that I have to feel really comfortable with the partner I’m with. There needs to be a connection – even if it’s only a brief encounter – for me to enjoy sex with them. Some people would call me a demisexual, but I’m not too fussed about labelling it. Feeld did help me get to know myself better and think that maybe I need to be more direct about saying what I want and need in a relationship.

“I wanted to try out bondage and very quickly met my dom”

Bella, 34, Yorkshire

I wanted to try bondage, so why not try Feeld, I thought. Very quickly I met my dom (I’m submissive) and we now meet up every week in a hotel room for play sessions, which usually involve me being tied up or handcuffed during sex. It’s all consensual, of course, so I’m just really happy to have found it and explored that side of myself. I’m not really sure how long it’s going to go on for, and I’d rather not have to meet someone new and establish all the ground rules again. We work really well together, but it’s purely sex. I don’t think it will last. I wonder what will happen if I meet someone who isn’t into it, but I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

“I thought the sex would be amazing, but it was average at best”

Alicia, 33, London

I went on it very open, but I was more interested in a FWB (friends with benefits) situation than just a one-off. I’d say a lot of the people I came across on it were similar, wanting FWB instead of one-night stands. I’d say there are a lot of men on there who, in my experience, are a lot of talk and no action, and when push comes to shove have been quite disappointing. I really thought the sex would be amazing, but it was average at best. There have been many, many men who have spoken about doing all sorts of sexual things and then deactivated their accounts after a couple of days. I’ve found quite a lot of people on there are open to dating rather than just frivolous no-strings-attached vibes. I even went on a couple of dates with a guy and didn’t have sex.

*All names have been changed

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Images: Getty

Inside Feeld: sex stories from the world’s wildest dating app