The new gay dating app Goose has been accused of using AI social media profiles to bring in users. 

Back in May, actor, model, and entrepreneur Derek Chadwick began planting the seeds of his new business venture into the LGBTQIA+ online dating space by uploading a shirtless video that gave a brief look into his love life. 

"I've been single for like two years, and how come there's no cool dating apps in 2026. Anyway, I love the beach, and I like coffee, and I like surfing and CrossFit, and I like doing anything outside," he exclaimed in the brief Instagram clip 

The Hollywood star followed his soft launch video a few weeks later with a carousel of photos, captioned: "Goose boys summer." 

On 25 June, the Goose dating app – which Chadwick co-created with former BeReal growth and community manager David Aliagas – was released in the US, following over 50,000 pre-downloads. 

Despite being packed with a wide range of dating apps catered to gay men – such as Grindr, Scruff, and Taimi – Goose has prided itself on disrupting "all expectations on what online dating has come to look like for modern gay men" with its anti-algorithm, label-free approach. 

A press release for the free membership-based app adds: "Goose is a dating app for guys who'd rather meet than match. It blends dating, social life, and community into one living experience. Discover guys through shared places, interests, friends, and moments happening around you."

Some of the unique features included in the app are "The Wave," described as 'a small, no-pressure connection request that replaces the antiquated 'like' or 'match' and "Talk Without Waiting," allowing any users to start a conversation. 

While Goose has promised an "authentic, real-world approach to dating," a new investigation by Wired alleges that AI-generated men are being used to promote the app on social media platforms like Instagram.