CERCA
Making Dating Feel Real Cerca is the first dating app that connects people through mutual contacts. In just four weeks, SideShift helped Cerca reach 6M+ people organically, climb into the App Store’s top 150, and 4x their installs.
Making Dating Feel Real Cerca is the first dating app that connects people through mutual contacts. In just four weeks, SideShift helped Cerca reach 6M+ people organically, climb into the App Store’s top 150, and 4x their installs.
Barriers
- Crowded category: Competing with dozens of swipe-based apps.
- New behavior: Users needed education on the “mutual contacts” model.
- Low awareness: Fewer than 20K downloads at launch.
Approach
- Culture-driven creators: Sourced voices fluent in dating trends and Gen Z social dynamics.
- Relatable content formats: Skits, stories, and safety-first dating tips.
- Hook-led messaging: Emotional triggers and lifestyle storytelling drove engagement.
Results
- 7M+ organic views
- Top 150 App Store ranking for 3 weeks
- 4x increase in installs
- Repeatable content engine for ongoing growth
Conclusion Cerca worked because it felt real. SideShift helped turn a fresh dating concept into a viral movement—by making mutual connections feel safer, funnier, and more culturally relevant than swiping strangers.