Goose, a new "anti-algorithm" dating app aimed at gay men, has marketed itself as an alternative to hookup-focused platforms by emphasising genuine friendship over sex. However, users who spoke to WIRED report that the app's moderation is inconsistent and that it can feel unwelcoming to people of colour, undercutting its inclusive branding. The story matters because it follows earlier WIRED reporting that Goose's cofounder appeared to have used a network of fake AI-generated Instagram accounts to drive sign-ups, raising further questions about the platform's authenticity.

Several users described features such as vanishing chats, screenshot protection, waves, and a live location map that echo apps like Snapchat, Sniffies and Raya, despite Goose's stated focus on non-sexual connection, and some in the LGBTQIA+ community have publicly questioned why these hookup-style tools exist if sex isn't the point. One OnlyFans creator, Erick Hall, said his account was flagged as "inappropriate" over a fully clothed photo and abandoned the app after being told to resubmit images, while another user, Hunter Lawrence, said his experience mostly stayed platonic despite occasional explicit messages from other members.