---
schema_type: "SoftwareApplication"
entity_type: "Mobile Application"
app_name: "Wink Social: Real & AI Friends"
developer_entity: "9 Count, Inc."
bundle_id: "co.9count.sodaplus"
app_store_id: "6465895427"
google_play_id: "biz.wafas.wink"
category: "Social Networking"
primary_platform: "ios"
primary_monetization: "Subscription"
offline_capable: false
market_region: "US"
platforms: "iOS & Android"
app_last_updated: "2026-04-25"
report_date: "2026-03-27"
report_version: "11.20.0"
total_reviews: 6051
overall_rating: 4.05
sentiment: "Upset"
sentiment_score: 15
confidence: "high"
confidence_score: 0.85
top_praise_theme: "App Concept"
top_complaint_theme: "Aggressive Paywalls"
review_sample_size: 50
data_age_days: 38
intelligence_version: 3
total_followers: 1
tags: ["social networking", "subscription", "upset sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "younger", "users", "social"]
canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/soda-make-new-friends"
license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0"
content_version: "v2"
---

# Wink Social: Real & AI Friends App Audit

## TL;DR {#tldr}

- **Category**: Social Networking · Subscription
- **Signal**: Rating 4.05 · Sentiment Upset
- **Recent focus**: Aggressive Paywalls (top complaint) · App Concept (top praise)

> **TL;DR:** Wink Social: Real & AI Friends is a social networking app by 9 Count, Inc., rated 4.05/5 by 6.1K users, with Upset user sentiment (15/100), available on iOS & Android.
>
> **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** — Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence.

<!-- speakable-start -->
> **Key Insight:** Wink Social: Real & AI Friends faces Upset user sentiment (4.05/5 from 6.1K reviews), with aggressive paywalls as the primary user concern.
<!-- speakable-end -->

## Quick Facts

| Fact | Value |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Rating** | 4.05/5 (6.1K reviews) |
| **User Mood** | Upset |
| **Category** | Social Networking |
| **Developer** | 9 Count, Inc. |
| **Pricing** | Subscription |
| **Platforms** | iOS & Android |
| **Confidence** | High (0.85/1.0) |
| **Data Age** | 38d |

## Metadata & Market Performance
- **Publisher:** 9 Count, Inc.
- **Category:** Social Networking
- **Target Audience:** Younger users and social butterflies looking for a safe, verified environment to make new friends globally based on shared interests and hobbies.
- **Platforms:** iOS & Android
- **Version Audited:** 11.20.0
- **Audit Date:** 2026-03-27
- **Signal Count:** 50 reviews analyzed
- **Confidence:** High (0.85/1.0)
- **App Store ID (iOS):** 6465895427
- **Bundle ID:** co.9count.sodaplus
- **Google Play ID:** biz.wafas.wink
- **Performance Trend:** Declining
- **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-03-27
- **Short Description:** #chat #connect #share

<!-- section:executive-snapshot -->
## Executive Snapshot
Soda: Make New Friends is a social discovery app by 9 Count, Inc. that focuses on safe, interest-based connections for a younger audience. It differentiates itself through mandatory identity verification and a unique 'Vibes' collection system.

Despite its strong safety-first positioning, the app is currently suffering from severe user backlash. The primary driver of this negative sentiment is an overly aggressive paywall that restricts basic social interactions, leading users to label the app as a 'scam' and migrate to competitors.
<!-- /section:executive-snapshot -->

<!-- section:features -->
## App DNA (Features & Intent)
- **[Standard] Swipe-based Discovery:** Explore and connect with new people globally or locally through a swipe interface based on interests and hobbies.
  * *User Intent:* Users want to quickly find relevant content or features.
- **[Differentiator] Mandatory Identity Verification:** All users must complete a verification process to ensure safety and prevent fake profiles.
  * *User Intent:* Users seek enhanced value through premium features.
- **[Differentiator] Mutual-Only Messaging:** Direct messaging is restricted until both users are verified and have mutually added each other.
- **[Differentiator] Collectible Vibes:** Personality-packed digital items that users can collect and use to spark conversations.
  * *User Intent:* Users value self-expression and personalized experiences.
- **[Standard] Rich Profile Customization:** Users can upload up to 6 photos, write a bio, list interests, and record a voice intro.
  * *User Intent:* Users value self-expression and personalized experiences.
<!-- /section:features -->

## Monetization Strategy
- **Model:** Subscription
- **Tiers:** Free to download and use, Auto-renewing subscription for premium features
- **Analysis:** Monetization relies on a freemium model with auto-renewing subscriptions managed via in-app purchases, typical for social discovery apps.

<!-- section:sentiment -->
## 🔴 User Sentiment (High Confidence: 6.1K reviews) {#user-sentiment}
- **Overall Rating:** 4.05/5
- **Platform Split:** iOS 4.0/5 (5.8K ratings) | Android 4.1/5 (261 ratings)
- **Overall Sentiment:** Upset
- **Note:** The 4.05/5 store rating reflects cumulative history, while the Upset sentiment reflects recent user reviews analyzed by our AI pipeline.

### Top Praises
- **App Concept**

### Top Complaints (Impact Areas)
- **Aggressive Paywalls**
- **Deceptive Functionality**

<!-- /section:sentiment -->
<!-- section:swot -->
## SWOT Analysis {#swot}

**Core Strengths:**
- Strong focus on safety with mandatory verification processes.
- Intuitive, modern swipe-based UI.
- Unique 'Vibes' system provides a creative hook for ice-breaking.

**Critical Frictions:**
- Aggressive paywall strategy that alienates the core user base.
- Perceived lack of value in premium subscriptions.
- Technical friction regarding account management.

**Growth Levers:**
- Loosen free-tier restrictions to improve retention.
- Improve transparency in subscription benefits to rebuild trust.
- Pivot marketing to highlight the 'Vibes' feature.

**Market Threats:**
- Competitors like Wizz are capturing churned users.
- Negative app store reviews are damaging brand reputation.
- Potential for platform policy changes regarding aggressive gating.

<!-- /section:swot -->
## Recent Changes (v2 → v3) {#recent-changes}

The app has introduced a 'Vibes' feature to drive engagement, but continues to suffer from severe user backlash regarding paywalls and perceived deceptive subscription value.

**Overall trend**: Declining
**Compared at**: 2026-03-27

### High-impact changes
- **[Declined] Emergence of Deceptive Functionality Complaints** (sentiment) — User complaints have shifted to include specific allegations that premium features do not function as advertised.

### Medium-impact changes
- **[Added] Collectible Vibes** (features) — Added a new 'Collectible Vibes' feature designed to act as a differentiator and conversation starter.
- **[Shifted] Refined Weakness Analysis** (swot) — Weakness shifted from general free-tier limitations to a specific 'perceived lack of value' in premium subscriptions.

### Low-impact changes
- **[Shifted] Developer Attribution** (positioning) — Executive summary updated to include the developer, 9 Count, Inc., and emphasize the 'Vibes' system.

<!-- section:so-what -->
## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what}

Wink Social: Real & AI Friends is a challenged social networking app that is available.
With a 4.05/5 rating from 6.1K reviews, it faces significant user friction.

**Strategic Opportunity:** While Wink Social: Real & AI Friends benefits from strong focus on safety with mandatory verification processes., its vulnerability lies in aggressive paywall strategy that alienates the core user base.. A challenger could exploit this by focusing on loosen free-tier restrictions to improve retention..

**Best for:** Younger users and social butterflies looking for a safe, verified environment to make new friends globally based on shared interests and hobbies.

<!-- /section:so-what -->

<!-- section:metrics -->
## Key Metrics Summary

| Metric | Value |
| :--- | :--- |
| Overall Rating | 4.05/5 |
| Total Reviews | 6.1K |
| Sentiment | Upset (15/100) |
| Confidence | High |
| Pricing Model | Subscription |
| Platforms | iOS & Android |
| Key Features | 5 analyzed |
| Trend | Declining |
<!-- /section:metrics -->

## Competitor Comparison

| App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Wink Social: Real & AI Friends** (this app) | 4.05/5 | Upset | 9 Count, Inc. |
| [HMU - Make New Friends](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/hmu-make-new-friends) | 4.1/5 | Frustrated | FastSocial LTD |
| [iSharing: GPS Location Tracker](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/isharing-gps-location-tracker) | 4.7/5 | Mixed | ISHARINGSOFT, INC. |
| [ChitChat Groups](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/chitchat-groups) | 3.5/5 | Mixed | Deductive Dreamers Inc. |
| [WidgetPal: Live Friends Pics](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/widgetpal-live-friends-pics) | 4.7/5 | Upset | Double Trouble Creatives |
| [mapnow - moments on a map](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/mapnow-moments-on-a-map) | 4.6/5 | Thrilled | NOERDEN |

## Company Profile
- **Developer:** 9 Count, Inc.
- **Website:** [https://www.downloadsoda.com/](https://www.downloadsoda.com/)
- **Social:** [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/winkapp) · [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@getwinkapp)

## Data Sources & Links
- **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/soda-make-new-friends/id6465895427?uo=4)
- **Google Play:** [View on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=biz.wafas.wink&hl=en&gl=us)
- **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://www.downloadsoda.com/)
- **Sources:** Developer website content, About us / company information, App store metadata, User reviews.

## Related Intel Reports
- [*HMU - Make New Friends*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/hmu-make-new-friends) (FastSocial LTD) — 4.1/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment
- [*iSharing: GPS Location Tracker*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/isharing-gps-location-tracker) (ISHARINGSOFT, INC.) — 4.7/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment
- [*ChitChat Groups*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/chitchat-groups) (Deductive Dreamers Inc.) — 3.5/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment
- [*WidgetPal: Live Friends Pics*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/widgetpal-live-friends-pics) (Double Trouble Creatives) — 4.7/5 Rating | Terrible Sentiment
- [*mapnow - moments on a map*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/mapnow-moments-on-a-map) (NOERDEN) — 4.6/5 Rating | Excellent Sentiment
- [*Reclip: Clip Your Friends*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/reclip-clip-your-friends) (Clip Media Inc) — 4.5/5 Rating | Excellent Sentiment
- [*Findo: Find my Friends, Phone*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/findo-find-my-friends-phone) (BPMobile) — 4.4/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment
- [*Threads*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/threads) (Instagram, Inc.) — 4.3/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment
- [*Peer*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/peer) (Peer, Inc.) — 2.5/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment
- [*Blink - Make New Friends*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/blink-make-new-friends) (Blink Labs, Inc.) — 3.7/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment

## Methodology {#methodology}

This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline:

1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** — Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps.
2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** — Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks.
3. **User Sentiment Analysis** — Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction and evidence quoting.
4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** — Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category.
5. **Intelligence Synthesis** — Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights.

- **Confidence Score:** 0.85/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality)
- **Reviews Analyzed:** 50
- **Data Sources:** user reviews, developer website, company about page, App Store metadata
- **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform
- **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence.
- **Report Age:** 38 days since last refresh

---
© 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/social-networking/soda-make-new-friends)
Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.