In an attempt to comprehend the preferences of Gen-Z for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Hunch, the leading social discovery app, has unveiled a report based on the user-generated polls on the app. The findings are striking: an overwhelming 85.3% of the respondents support implementing a mandatory retirement age for politicians. This result underlines the young generation’s desire for a more dynamic political landscape, advocating for fresh leadership beyond entrenched incumbents.
Hunch, a new-age social discovery app designed for the urban population aged 18 to 25, has created a space for people to openly and unapologetically share their opinions.
Hunch says that it envisions a world where young individuals can freely express their uniqueness, be authentic and inquire without any judgment. The company explains that it allows users to engage anonymously, freeing them from the constraints of revealing their real identity while expressing opinions in the form of polls. It allows its users to break free and offers a space where they can form connections based on what truly interests them, not what’s simply popular or ‘correct’.
Founded in December 2022, Hunch is headquartered in New Delhi and Dubai. The brainchild of a dedicated team of seasoned co-founders—CEO Ish Goel, CTO Nitika Goel, and CMO Kartic Rakhra—Hunch is rapidly establishing itself as a prominent player in the social app landscape.
At its core, Hunch aims to pioneer a new era of social interactions where curiosity takes precedence over conformity, and authentic connections become the ultimate reward.
Hunch’s current business model offers the platform for free and the organization is primarily focused on building a strong and dedicated user base at this stage. Going forward, Hunch is exploring several monetization avenues such as ads, in-app purchases, and branded content.
With a team of over 70 professionals in Delhi, India, Hunch offers eatures, allowing users to create polls on any topic, connect with people who share their interests, leave comments, and engage in short-lived chats that vanish after 24 hours to ensure privacy. Hunch also leverages artificial intelligence to create user profile pictures, maintaining anonymity and facilitating conversations with others. The platform added that it is continually evolving, with new features in development to enhance user experiences and foster authentic connections.
Medianews4u.com caught up with Hunch CEO, co-founder Ish Goel
Q. Could you talk about the concept of the wisdom of the masses that led to the formation of Hunch?
‘Wisdom of the masses’ is the idea that the collective opinions of a diverse group of people are better at decision-making, problem-solving, and innovation than a single expert. In today’s world of social media, the narrative is controlled by influencers and the user rarely gets to see what the general public thinks. Hunch leverages the wisdom of the masses through the form of polls, ensuring that any question is answered honestly and anonymously by its GenZ audience so that the user gets to see exactly how the general audience thinks, and act accordingly. Hunch activates the voice of the people over any single individual.
Q. What is its USP in a crowded market?
Hunch is on a mission to build the most authentic and genuine place on the internet.
It is built on the idea that anonymity breeds authenticity. Here, the user can ask the questions that are really on your mind, through the engaging format of polls. By fostering an environment that is both anonymous and interactive, we allow the users to express themselves freely and discover like-minded individuals without the looming cloud of judgment or societal expectations. With Hunch, you don’t just find followers; you find your people. This way, we transform mere ‘likes’ and ‘follows’ into connections based on shared questions, opinions, and curiosities.
Q. How is Hunch using A.I. to improve the app?
The app integrates generative AI at its core, exemplified by its solution to the societal pressure of an ideal profile picture. After answering 15 poll questions on Hunch, users receive an AI-generated avatar, eliminating the need for a real profile picture.
Q. So far what traction has it received?
Established in the year 2022, Hunch has disrupted the social media landscape and has become the fastest-growing homegrown social media platform for Gen Zs with a remarkable 220,000 monthly active Gen Z users. Not only this, the polls created by the users also serve as a link to connect like-minded people and allow them to validate their opinions on various topics. Hunch has grown into a dynamic community for discussion and exploration, with more than 790,000 polls created and 33 million opinions expressed through votes, this number rivals the voter turnout in the 2019 UK general election (also 32 million votes).
Q. The app raised 23 million dollars earlier this year. How will the funds be used?
We have raised the funds to expand our team, establish a strong presence in India, and broaden the footprints in the US market. We will be introducing new features that will help us make the platform even more engaging and valuable to our growing user base.
Q. What are Gen Z’s views when it comes to social media according to research that Hunch has done?
Gen Z has a complex relationship with social media, characterized by a desire for authenticity, meaningful connections, and privacy. Gen Z values authenticity and transparency in social media content. They are more likely to engage with content that feels genuine and relatable, and they prefer platforms that allow them to express their true selves without fear of judgment. Gen Z is more concerned about privacy than previous generations.
They are cautious about sharing personal information online and are drawn to platforms that prioritise user privacy and data security. The generation values social media as a tool for building communities and connecting with like-minded individuals. They are drawn to platforms that foster meaningful interactions and facilitate genuine connections.
Q. Are some of the older platforms like Meta losing out to newer ones when it comes to Gen Z?
While platforms like Meta still have a significant user base, they are facing increasing competition from newer platforms that are better able to resonate with Gen Z’s unique preferences and priorities. Platforms such as Instagram want their users to conform to certain norms. Almost like drawing within the lines of what society finds acceptable. This can pose significant challenges for GEN Z striving for authenticity and self-expression, particularly in the face of the unforgiving nature of canceled culture.
Q. What opportunities do regional languages present for Hunch?
Currently, we do not have any plans to dwell in regional languages and would like to focus on English-speaking audiences. Focusing on a specific language can streamline our efforts and help us tailor our services more effectively for the target audience.
