By now you’ve probably heard a little bit about Raya, the mysterious and exclusive dating site. Much is made of its application process, its celebrity users, and its overall air of mystique. If you’ve got questions about Raya, you’ve come to the right place, because we’ve got answers. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this coveted app.
Let’s start from the top: Just what is Raya?
Raya is a private, membership-based, exclusive dating app, especially popular among people in the entertainment industry. It’s unlike its competitors (Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, etc.) in that it’s not something you can just download and start using. It takes some effort to get on there; it’s not for nothing that some have dubbed the site the “Tinder Illuminati.”
The founder of Raya is a man named Daniel Gendelman. Fresh off the failure of one company and having no luck on dating apps, he envisioned a new kind of dating app, one that combined the principles of dating and professional networking. He told the New York Times that his goal was to “solve a big problem for a small amount of people” – celebrities, artists, musicians, and others who found the existing dating apps lacking. As its reputation grew and its allure increased, more and more wanted to get on Raya, and it remains a much sought-after app.
Unlike most other dating apps, Raya operates with an exclusive membership model. Membership on the app is highly selective and is only available to those who have undergone a thorough vetting process.
The application process for Raya is much more complicated than the process for most dating apps. After all, there’s a review process, which is itself shrouded in mystery. Fortunately, we’ve been able to learn a bit about the requirements for getting on Raya.
Now we’re getting into the nitty gritty: the requirements for joining. One thing to state upfront is that you don’t have to be a celebrity to get on Raya.
Raya’s vetting process is a well kept secret, but over time, we’ve learned a thing or two about what the committee looks for. They want to know about your job, who you know, and how robust your social media presence is. Indeed, when you sign up, you’ll be asked for your Instagram handle, making it very important that you have a significant follower count before applying. They also want to know about professional achievements, with a particular focus on people in a creative field.
Referrals and recommendations also go a long way toward getting you in the door. If you know somebody already on the app, ask them to refer you through the app.
Raya applications are reviewed by a global committee of anonymous reviewers. Once you’ve submitted, this group will look over your application. Be prepared to sit tight, though: Raya reviews can take a while–days, weeks, and sometimes longer. And if you’re rejected, you’ll never be told outright; you’ll just end up sitting on the long (and growing) waitlist. If you’re accepted, you will be notified via email.
Once you’ve been accepted to join Raya, then you’ll gain access to the user features and experience. Let’s review some of them.
When you create a Raya profile, you’re asked to more than upload a few pictures and write a pithy bio. No, no: Raya is different. You’re encouraged to really show your personality and achievements. Furthermore, you’ll have to integrate your profile with your Instagram account.
When you use Raya, you’re able to message people about romantic connections and professional opportunities alike. You can also join groups organized by interest to meet folks who share your passions.
Raya expects its members to follow a code of conduct that emphasizes respect and discretion. Privacy features include the ability to report and even block users.
Raya is not free to use and features membership tiers, with added perks for those who pay more.
For a basic membership, you can expect to pay $19.99 per month – not bad when you consider the exclusivity of the app. If you pay for a longer subscription, you pay less: $14.99 per month when you get a six-month subscription, and $9.99 per month when you pay for the year.
Like many other dating apps, Raya offers a premium subscription that comes with some added benefits, including the ability to see who likes you. Known as Raya+, a Raya premium subscription costs $49.99 for one month, $39.99 per month for six months, and $29 per month for a year.
Raya is designed specifically for creatives and celebrities, but you can get on the app even if you don’t fit this description. If you submit a solid application, you have a chance of getting accepted by the approval committee.
Part of the allure of Raya is that by joining it you get to be among some of the world’s biggest celebrities. Such luminaries as Ben Affleck, Channing Tatum, and Demi Lovato have all been rumored to be on the app.
So, what are the pros and cons of using Raya?
Let’s start with the advantages.
Naturally, the exclusivity of the app tops the list. It’s not an easy app to get to use, which means you’re likely to meet high-quality matches.
Because of Raya’s enhanced privacy and security settings, your info and data are likely safer on Raya than on other dating apps.
Related to Raya’s exclusivity are the unique networking opportunities the app affords. You’re unlikely to find such a wide array of interesting networking opportunities on any other app.
Now let’s consider the downsides.
The app is most certainly not cheap to use, and you have to pay extra for premium features.
The approval process is highly selective, and there are rumored to be 100,000 people on the waitlist. So, the downside here is obvious: You might not get to use the app at all.
Because of Raya’s exclusivity, the user base is actually quite limited. Your matches might be high-quality, but they necessarily come from a small sliver of the wider population.
Now let’s consider how Raya compares to other dating apps out there.
Tinder is widely accessible and is one of the most downloaded apps in the world. Raya, on the other hand, emphasizes an exclusive experience tailored to a particular audience.
Bumble is another very popular app that requires no application process, and its distinguishing feature is the way it empowers women; women have to send the first message. Raya’s exclusivity and networking features set it apart.
Hinge’s selling point is its focus on serious relationships. Raya can also lead to serious relationships, but its focus on exclusivity and professional networking offers a different value proposition for its members.
Only you really know whether Raya is right for you. If you think you’d have a strong application and you’re interested in what the site has to offer, then go for it! But don’t worry if you get waitlisted. There are a lot of other apps out there.
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