# Rater > Source: https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/products/rater | Publisher: Dating Industry Insights (High Intent Media Inc) | Last checked: 2026-11-10 **In short:** Rater is a US dating app that markets itself as anti-catfishing. It uses AI and human profile checks, user ratings of matches and in-person Radar by Rater events. It is run by Rater Date Inc. and led by founder and CEO Nicole Drew. A 2024 press release put it in Carlsbad, California. It matters as a trust and safety positioned niche app. ## Key facts - Type: Dating app - Headquarters: Carlsbad, California, United States - Status: Active (website and App Store listing online; no closure reports found) - Website: rater.world - Founder and CEO: Nicole Drew (2024-04-25) [source](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rater-the-anti-catfishing-social-app-announces-launch-across-the-nation-302126196.html) - Location: Carlsbad, California (press release dateline and SoCalTech description) (2024-04-25) [source](https://socaltech.com/rater_expands_dating_app_beyond_california/s-0083933.html) - Nationwide US launch: Announced nationwide launch after a soft launch on the west coast; available on App Store and Google Play (2024-04-25) [source](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rater-the-anti-catfishing-social-app-announces-launch-across-the-nation-302126196.html) - Launch: Company press materials say it launched in early 2023; its website says Nicole Drew launched it in 2022 (2024-05-14) [source](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/91-fraudster-detection-brightcheck-partners-with-rater-dating-app-to-enhance-safety-302145089.html) - Product positioning: Anti-catfishing dating app with AI and human verification, community ratings and Radar by Rater IRL events [source](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/rater-date/id1613028691) - Verification partners: BrightCheck (partnership announced May 2024) and IDMerit (2024-05-14) [source](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/91-fraudster-detection-brightcheck-partners-with-rater-dating-app-to-enhance-safety-302145089.html) - Corporate entity: Rater Date Inc. named as source of press release (2024-08-27) [source](https://www.trinidadtimes.com/news/274527591/rater-singles-app-hires-head-of-growth-and-brand-marketing-to-scale-to-100000-users) - Leadership hire: Lee-Michael Pronko of HeresMe Agency joined as Head of Growth and Brand Marketing; target of 100,000 users by mid to end 2025 (2024-08-27) [source](https://www.newswire.com/news/rater-singles-app-hires-head-of-growth-and-brand-marketing-to-scale-to-22411245) - Rewards partnership: Partnership with Paylode for Rater Perks (2024-05-16) [source](https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/rater-launches-dating-perks-with-paylode-to-bring-rewards-to-datin-863971) ## About Rater is a dating app that describes itself as an anti-catfishing singles app with in-person events. According to its website and App Store listing, it combines AI-powered identity checks, ID and selfie verification, human vetting and a community feedback system in which members rate their experiences. Verified users get priority in its matching algorithm. Its press materials name identity verification partners IDMerit and BrightCheck. The app is listed on the App Store and Google Play. The company says it was founded by Nicole Drew, who is Founder and CEO, after she was the victim of a dating app romance scam. Sources differ slightly on timing: the website says she launched Rater in 2022, while company press releases say it launched in early 2023. A April 2024 press release, datelined Carlsbad, California, announced a nationwide launch after a soft launch on the US west coast. Press releases name Rater Date Inc. as the source. The app has a Go Premium tier, and the company runs Radar by Rater pop-up mixers for verified singles. In August 2024 Rater announced that Lee-Michael Pronko, founder of HeresMe Agency, had joined as Head of Growth and Brand Marketing. The company said it was aiming for 100,000 users by mid to end 2025. The company has not published user figures in the sources reviewed, so that target has not been confirmed as met. ## Stories about Rater - [Rater's Growth Gamble: Can Anti-Catfishing Sell an App?](https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/news/rater-app-expands-leadership-team-user-growth) (2024-08-27) ## Questions **What is Rater?** Rater is a dating app that positions itself as anti-catfishing, using AI and human verification, member ratings and in-person Radar by Rater events. **Who founded Rater?** Nicole Drew is the Founder and CEO, according to the company's website and press releases. **Where is Rater based?** A 2024 press release was datelined Carlsbad, California, and SoCalTech described it as Carlsbad-based. **Who handles Rater's growth?** In August 2024 Rater announced Lee-Michael Pronko of HeresMe Agency as Head of Growth and Brand Marketing. --- Canonical: https://www.datingindustryinsights.com/products/rater