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"In a bid to lure in more users in the United States, multilingual social network Badoo has rolled out two \"U.S.-friendly\" features that aim to help users charm strangers online.\nThe London-based company, which has 130 million users in 180 countries and has recently made a push into U.S. borders, touts its free new features \u2014 \u201CInterests\u201D and \u201CIce Breaker\u201D \u2014 as digital aids for users who are concerned about leaving favorable first impressions. \nIce Breaker offers conversation starters, while the Interests component allows users to leave self-generated hobbies instead of pre-defined ones like other dating sites require. Badoo predicts the features \"will help thousands of people connect with like-minded friends, hobby partners or potential love interests.\"\n\u201CIt\u2019s hard work coming up with lines to impress new people,\u201D says Jessica Powell, Badoo's chief marketing officer. \u201CWe all want to appear funny, smart and relevant, and talking about things you already know the other person is interested in gives you a head start. It makes the approach much more personal and, the likelihood is, more successful.\"\nBadoo, which launched in 2006 and snatched up $30 million in funding in 2008 when it had just 12 million users, is available as a browser service, iPhone app or Android app. \nAt the Le Web conference on Dec. 7, Badoo founder Andrey Andreev discussed the company's growth, including the U.S. expansion and its 400 employees. The company is profitable. A feature that lets users pay money to have their profiles featured higher in the app is one way Badoo brings in money.\n\n\nHow Badoo Looks as an App or on Your Browser\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBadoo App \nBadoo is available as an iPhone app or Android app.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAndroid Widget \nA widget for Android devices shows you nearby users.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBadoo App \nIn December 2011, Badoo launched two new features to help users flirt and make new friends and leave favorable first impressions.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBadoo App \nOne new feature \u2014 \u201CIce Breaker\u201D \u2014 gives users conversation starters, while the \"Interests\" component allows users to leave self-generated hobbies instead of pre-defined ones. Badoo predicts the features \u201Cwill help thousands of people connect with like-minded friends, hobby partners or potential love interests.\u201D\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBadoo App \nBadoo, which launched in 2006, has 130 million users in 180 countries and has made a push into U.S. borders starting in 2011.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBadoo Website \nThis is how Badoo's homepage looks like.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2011/12/13/badoo-unveils-features-to-help-shy-users-flirt/>