How Does Raya Work? What are the rules of dating in this app?

Launched in Feb. 2015, by tech developer Daniel Gendelman, Raya is an invite-only, exclusive dating app that deems itself a “Digital Dinner Party” for people in “creative industries.” Though its intentional secrecy and intrigue have earned the app the title “Illuminati Tinder.” In 2018, Gendelman told The New York Times that Raya had over 10,000 members across “dozens” of countries. While members are not allowed to name-drop who they’ve seen on the app, Us Weekly, reports a number of celebrity sightings on Raya including Demi Lovato, John Mayer, Channing Tatum, Kiernan Shipka, Drew Barrymore, and Lizzo.

How Long Does It Take To Get Off The Raya Waitlist?

In 2018, Business Insider reported the Raya waitlist was over 100,000 people. Additionally, if you don’t make the cut, Raya likely won’t send you a rejection notice — various users say your application will just say “pending” forever.

Ryan shares that having many friends already on the app refer him likely helped move his application along. Though he was only on the waitlist for a week, Ryan shares that in the last year, he’s referred a dozen of his friends. It’s taken them multiple weeks to hear if they’ve been accepted.

While the site says Raya adds new members every day and that it could take “anywhere from a day to a few months” to get admitted to the app, it’s hard to tell how long the average wait time is. Laura, 32, an artist and model from LA, says that she’s been on the waitlist for over two years. One reviewer on the App Store has been waiting since 2017. Even former Bachelorette Hannah Brown took to Instagram in Feb. 2020 to complain about being on the waitlist for months.

“I’ve even messaged them asking and they just told me to wait,” Laura tells Bustle. “I get the impression that’s it’s just influencers on there. A friend with a lot more Instagram followers than me was accepted, and told me that’s largely what she sees.”

How Does Raya Dating App Work?

Though Raya may be dubbed, “Tinder For Famous People,” the music and slideshow function makes it feel more like a …PowerPoint. “You pick a song and a make a slideshow of your pictures,” Ryan says. “While you view the slideshow, the song plays in the background.”

Like Tinder, Raya operates on a swipe, match, and message system. If you click on someone’s photo, their slideshow and song will start playing. From there you can swipe “Yes” or “No.” If both people say, “Yes,” you can text message or video chat within the app. But, matches expire after 10 days if no one bites the first message bullet, and you’re only shown a limited amount of profiles per day. “It’s like five to 10 [profiles] every few hours I think,” Ryan says. As one App Store reviewer puts it, “You only see a few people per day, so it’s not just a numbers game.

In addition to the slideshow, users upload one main picture for their profile, a short bio, along with their age, location, and work. “You apply with Instagram,” Ryan says. “So your handle is on the page.” Ryan says he has 8-10 photos on his slideshow. While your Instagram handle is on your page, you will have to upload your own photos.

The Rules Of Raya Dating App

Ryan couldn’t share screenshots of the app, because that could get him kicked off. These guidelines go for celebs too. In 2018, Vanderpump Rules’ Stassi Schroeder tweeted about being kicked off for simply “talking about” the app in public. Once you get accepted to the app, Ryan says you have to agree to a list of rules. On Raya’s website, the guidelines say applicants must be over 18, not have public depictions of hate, and can’t have “consistent displays of excessive wealth.”

The guidelines read: “Every member is expected to follow our simple rules of respect, trust, and privacy. Raya removes former members who don’t share these same community ideals. Furthermore, we reserve the right to suspend or remove any membership we no longer feel strengthens our community.”

How Much Does Raya Cost?

According to the App Store, once you’re admitted to Raya, a membership is $9.99 per month. But users can pay more for extra in-app purchases, such as extra likes.

Other Features of Raya

Included in the membership, I can enjoy looking for a potential partner everywhere. It is because the app shows that every member of the app, even from other countries. I do not have a hard time looking for a member who can catch my attention because there are many options.

Discover How to Use the Raya App

But, members can just turn on the “Nearby” feature if they wanted just to see the profiles of members within or close to their current location. Thus, the app asks the members to grant permission to allow the app to use the current location of their mobile devices.

A relatively new feature of the app is the modes. Raya is now limited to finding potential partners romantically but also professionally. Members can now build connections by finding other app members who are in the same field or industry.

When looking for potential dates, I can just turn on “Social” mode, while the “Work” mode shows me people who can be added to my professional social network.

Other Facts about Raya

Since the app has gained popularity over time, Raya has an interesting demographic among its users. At present, the members are generally young, with an almost equal distribution of male and female in terms of gender.

As mentioned, there are reports that single celebrities are on the app. You can find here Demi Lovato, Channing Tatum, Ben Affleck, Tom Felton, Emma Watson, and many more. So, there is a chance you can match with them.

Conclusion

Raya is an online dating app known for its exclusiveness to its members. The app has a rigorous application process because a committee verifies the information of the new user based on the Instagram profile and referral of a current member.

The app is like any other online dating app out there as it provides an avenue for people who are matched to communicate. But, Raya has a ”Work” mode that users can improve their professional social network.

How do you get invited to Raya?

In order to join, users must be referred to by an existing member. If you are not referred to by someone else but you’d still like to join, you’d have to join a long queue. Anyone who is interested to join Raya must fill out a membership application form, then submit it to be included in a waitlist.

Is Raya just for celebrities?

Celebrities are just like Us, they turn to dating apps to find romance and start relationships. Stars including Eric Stonestreet and Chelsea Handler have been open about their use of dating apps, such as Tinder and Bumble, but even more famous folks have opted to use Raya.

Can you join Raya without Instagram?

If you don’t have an instagram account or aren’t recognized in the media chances are you will not get accepted (at this moment), even with recommendation from various members. However if you don’t have a referral from an existing members or members you can still get on.

Can you get rejected from Raya?

Because Raya is constantly getting submissions, you could be accepted/declined in a couple of days or be left waiting a year—your fate lies in the mysterious hands of the “committee”. Though, don’t feel bad if you’re turned away or left on the waiting list; even Demi Lovato was rejected once upon a time.