Is there really no way to save a match and keep the conversation going beyond one week?

Landed is not a friend finder or dating app, but a meaningful one-time connection with a stranger. Like a good conversation you might have on a flight, you can go deep and then let go. 

So yes, the matches really do expire Saturday night at midnight EST. We’ve thought a lot about this. While this format has its drawbacks, the ultimate goal is for Landed to feel like a sanctuary.

With the ability to save matches (thereby having multiple threads with multiple people), this app could quickly become another place where we feel behind. With only one match, you can be fully immersed without a sense of overwhelm, and each week is a clutter-free start.  

What happens if I match with someone I know?

The user base is still small, so this could absolutely happen. If it does, rejoice! You can enjoy this person from a fresh angle. Early focus group feedback was pretty positive about this scenario, so treat this match like the others (be kind, be curious, etc). No need to hide that you recognize them.

Why Gratitude?

From the beginning, we’ve sought to provide a space for quieter, more meaningful conversations—not necessarily a gratitude practice. But as we tested different questions, we were struck by how well gratitude served as an intimate shared ground and a jumping off point for connection.

This was great news, as more and more research is pointing to the mental health benefits of a gratitude practice. (Source 1, Source 2).

It may feel awkward at first. We recommend using details. For example, rather than saying you are grateful for your job, reflect on something specific from the past week regarding your job. This helps evoke a true feeling of appreciation, as opposed to “forced positivity”. You can be conversational. No veneer needed. To give you more freedom, we offer the option to share about a recent challenge. 

The benefits of gratitude may take a few weeks to kick-in. Try sticking with it. You might just find it’s worth the effort.

What is the heart next to each file? I thought there were no likes?

The hearts aren’t traditional “likes” but rather a way to acknowledge that you’ve listened to/appreciated a file. You don’t have to use this feature, but it might be useful towards the end of an exchange when a file doesn’t warrant a response, but you want your match to know you’ve listened.

Can the Monday deadline be later?

It can, but the intent is for Sunday to be the day of reflection, with Monday as a back-up. So we first want to encourage users to submit Sunday. Over time, once we get a better sense of user habits, we may revisit the deadline.

What are the expectations for follow-ups?

There is no formal expectation for follow-ups. Some weeks offer lively exchanges, while others are slower. Such is the natural ebb and flow.  

That said, sharing via voice can be vulnerable, and we don’t want users to feel left hanging. Therefore, we ask all users to at least be present to your match. By “present,” we simply mean not ignoring them. You should at least have the capacity to listen to their initial file (since they will be listening to yours) and make best efforts to respond if they send you a personal note. Sometimes just one follow-up (or even listening to a submission and “hearting” it) is all it takes to honor the connection.*

On the flip side, please also be understanding if your match is less responsive. Each week is different, and we can never know what people are dealing with in their lives.  

How are users matched?

The matching is done automatically via our algorithm, which keeps track of your previous matches to ensure you get a different match each week. (While the user base is still small, you might eventually be paired with someone you have previously matched with.)

Are the voice files stored permanently?

No. Each week, we delete all voice files from the server.

More coming. Have a question? Feel free to write in.