Despite all the hubbub about dating app fatigue, new apps still pop up to compete with the household names. In order to duke it out with the likes of Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, these startups must try something new — even if it's technically not. One example is the dating app Cerca, which is about to turn a year old. Taking its name from the Spanish word for "near," Cerca aims to connect mutual friends. At a time when the major apps are trying to increase shareholder value and shove in AI features, focusing on human connection is a novel idea. (Almost.) SEE ALSO: The 11 best dating apps for women who want real connections in 2026 ## What is Cerca? Cerca is a dating app you might not have heard of yet, but it's already gotten the media treatment, from college newspapers to the *New York Times*. Launched in March 2025, according to an article in Business Insider, Cerca seeks to combine mutual friends with privacy. The tagline? "Date Mutuals, Not Strangers." But what's old is new again on Cerca.…