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Kobo’s April fool’s dating app for booklovers sounds like it could be a real thing

By Kara Santos Published Apr 04, 2022 1:31 pm

Kobo

Have you ever wanted to find your perfect match based on the books you read and not on looks? Kobo has got you covered with it’s (fake) dating app, Kobo Booklovers. 

Last Friday, April 1, the Canadian company that sells ebooks, audiobooks, ereaders and tablet computers posted the following ad on their social media channels: 

“We're SO excited to share a sneak preview of KOBO BOOKLOVERS: an all-new dating app we've designed to help readers like you find your bookish match!

We've reworked our legendary book recommendation algorithm to bring you another simple, stress-free way to create that special bookish connection. But this time, with other readers - no matter what (or who) you're in the mood for...”

According to Kobo, the app’s features include a profile section, where anyone can add their "hottest shelfies," their TBR (to be read) list, and favorite audiobook snippets. 

The app also has a Matchmaking Quiz to help pair up bibliophiles with only the most compatible readers online.

A section called "Just Reading Buddies" contains a non-romantic collection of verified readers who only want to talk books, with romance off the table. 

The "All Booked" tab will notify fellow booklovers if an account already has their hands full with matches.

Screenshots of the app shared by Kobu show that you can filter other booklovers by the type of books they like, including Fiction. Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, and more.

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A post shared by Rakuten Kobo (@kobobooks)

As far as April Fools’ jokes go, the idea for a Tinder-like app based on books actually sounds like it could be a viable product IRL.

In fact, many booklovers were quick to praise the concept online and hope it was real and not just a prank in honor of the day.

This isn’t the first fake dating app based on book matches. Coincidentally, back in April 1, 2015, Goodreads also launched Kindlr, described as a “red-hot new Goodreads dating app that finds your love matches based on your book choices.”

According to Goodreads: “You will be shown a potential match and, based on their bookshelves, you can swipe right on the heart icon to indicate your interest, or swipe left on the 'x' icon to move on to the next person. If you are both interested, you will be connected within the KINDLR app and shown a photo of your potential library-mate. You also have the ability to message one another.”

Hey, who knows, this could actually be a real dating app in the future, as some jokes actually turn out to be good ideas.

Kobo papier, a perfume based on a new book, which was originally thought to be an April Fool's gag by Kobo in April 2021, ended up becoming a real product.

"One of the key appeals to reading a physical book is the smell—particularly when opening a new one. Kobo set out to bottle that sensation with Kobo Papier, a limited-edition fragrance “that’ll have you smelling like a first edition,” according to a social campaign the e-reader company created to generate buzz around the launch.

TAGS: Books Dating app Kobo Kobo Booklovers Goodreads Kindlr

About the author

Kara Santos

Kara Santos is a freelance writer and photographer based in Manila. Her blog at www.traveling-up.com is where she writes about travel, motorcycling, and food trips.