Twinby: The Next Big Thing in Russian Dating or Another Bot Haven?

Below is a review of an app gaining popularity among top bloggers (for instance, Morgenstern) and promoted by fighting promotions such as Hardcore. Surprisingly, despite its publicity, there are no posts about it on Pikabu, even though it’s now one of the main contenders in the dating market—especially since Tinder and Badoo have effectively withdrawn from Russia. Let’s see if Twinby truly lives up to the hype.

Lots of Bots—Really, Lots of Them

In Twinby, you’ll likely come across many inactive or clearly “fake” profiles. From my point of view, these bots fall into three categories:

1. Commercial

2. Scam

3. Dead souls (inactive accounts)

Based on observations, despite the selfie-verification requirement, most fake profiles don’t disappear. Moderation (if it exists) doesn’t seem to yield any results.

1. Commercial Bots

According to Section 1 of Twinby’s Terms of Use, the app is for personal use only, yet you can find promotions and various services: from escort services and prostitution (both illegal in Russia, and which Twinby itself claims to ban in the FAQ) to photographers, tattoo artists, realtors, and HR specialists. All this not only goes against the app’s stated rules but also undermines genuine user experience. Personally, I question any “professional” trying to find clients on a dating platform—if you can’t invest in proper advertising and rely instead on fishing for clients in a dating app, it doesn’t inspire confidence in your services.

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2. Scam Bots

This is the most obvious category—almost all scam bots aim to lure you into Telegram or a suspicious website, usually to get money in exchange for “nudes.” Often, these bots run on scripted replies that respond to generic questions. Sometimes they attempt to simulate real interaction, propose meeting in person, and then direct you to a one-day fraudulent site to buy “tickets.”

Twinby’s guidelines encourage users not to upload adult content and promise to remove explicit materials. However, in reality, these scam bots’ profiles can still feature very revealing photos with minimal clothing. Moderation seems to overlook this.

3. Dead Souls (Inactive Accounts)

These are numerous profiles with virtually no description other than, say, an Instagram handle. They sometimes appear online all the time but never respond to messages or initiate conversations. It feels like Twinby simply imported a database of Tinder fakes, featuring the same passivity and a façade of activity.

Moderation and Interface Issues

The main complaint about Twinby is that users are never banned, even when there’s clear evidence of scams, insults, or pornographic content. I personally contacted support on Telegram, providing screenshots—no results. The in-app complaint system is equally ineffective, and it seems the whole concept of “in-app moderation” comes down to adding a “verified profile” marker, even if the selfie barely resembles the person in the photo.

From a UX perspective, there are noticeable technical shortcomings. For example, on an iPhone X, deleting your account causes the process to get stuck with the timer reading “1 second left,” leaving the account active. Another recurring problem: you see the same profiles repeatedly—sometimes you block a profile, yet it still shows up liking you. And near the end of search results, you get the same profiles that trigger an “user not found” error when you click them.

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Additionally, “new” personality tests are announced to be “in development” but remain unfinished for months.

In Summary

If you have any Twinby experiences or comments, I’d be glad to hear your thoughts below. And I’d appreciate your support for this post.

Twinby Overview by Users

Twinby is a new app focused on finding a match using AI and psychological quizzes, with an 18+ age limit. After Tinder withdrew from the Russian market on June 30, more space opened up for niche products, and Twinby rushed in to fill it. The developers claim the idea draws on research by graduates of the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE), with AI identifying users’ “psychological compatibility.”

Design and Core Features

The interface is friendly and reminiscent of Tinder: you upload photos, specify height, view on children, lifestyle habits, etc. The usual swiping mechanic applies for “like” or “skip.” A nice twist is that you see who liked you immediately, no need to wait for a match.

During registration, you complete a personality test plus an additional questionnaire about your traits. A compatibility percentage appears in potential profiles, letting you gauge if your interests align. The article’s author admits it’s unclear how reliable the AI is, but it can be a useful filter.

Card Feature

Inside the chat, there are themed “cards” to help start discussions (about relationships, getting closer, “hot 18+” topics, philosophical questions, etc.). Each card suggests a meaningful question that can spark a real conversation—unlike a typical “How are you?”

Final Impressions

In the author’s view, Twinby is currently convenient and user-friendly, seemingly oriented toward people seeking genuine relationships rather than casual flings. Its biggest downside is a relatively small user base, especially in regional areas, plus occasional crashes or slow loading.

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Pschychology

Here’s another take on Twinby, emphasizing that the app uses artificial intelligence and psychological surveys to help users find an “ideal” partner. It was developed by HSE graduates who considered conventional dating services too “superficial.”

Key Advantages

• Psychological tests: help reveal your personality and better match you with similar-minded individuals.

• In-chat cards: provide structured prompts for deeper conversation.

• Focus on security: verification is theoretically meant to filter out bots.

However, judging by some user experiences, the verification doesn’t always work, and many fraudulent profiles remain.

Getting Started With Twinby

1. Download from Google Play or the App Store.

2. Register using Apple ID, VK, Google, or an email address.

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3. Complete your profile: add photos, optionally verify your identity, and take a 10-question quiz.

4. Mind the photo limit: You can only see as many photos in other users’ profiles as you have in your own.

5. Use the cards and quizzes for deeper compatibility insights.

Potential Downsides

• Bugs when deleting an account (especially on iPhone X).

• Repeated display of the same profiles.

• Limited user pool in certain regions.

• Zero support response to scam reports.

Overall Verdict

Twinby is an interesting Russian project that, unlike classic dating apps, aims to match you with someone via deeper psychological criteria. However, numerous complaints about bots, bugs, and lack of moderation make it feel more like an experiment. If you’re seeking an alternative to Badoo or other surviving platforms, give Twinby a shot. With a growing user base and improved reporting mechanisms, it might become more appealing down the line.

Conclusion

Twinby shows promise as the “next big thing” in online dating after Tinder’s exit. However, it currently struggles with bot infestations, underdeveloped moderation, and technical glitches. At the same time, its test system and conversation cards introduce an engaging, in-depth twist to the standard dating process.

If you’re searching for something new beyond Badoo and the few remaining options, it’s worth exploring Twinby. Just remember: vigilance is essential—scammers exist everywhere. Still, you might appreciate Twinby’s unique emphasis on psychological compatibility, or you may prefer to wait until the app addresses its bot problems and software bugs.