Just Once

Frequently asked questions

Everything about posting a sighting, matching with the person you noticed, and how we handle your details.

What is Just Once?

Just Once is a dating site built around chance encounters and missed connections. You post a sighting of a stranger you noticed — across a crowded room, on the tube, in a café — and if they post about you too, we quietly let you both know.

How does the matching work?

When you post a sighting, we compare its location, date, time and description against every other sighting. If two posts overlap closely enough, both people get a private notification and can choose whether to say hello.

Is Just Once free?

Yes. Posting sightings, browsing the noticeboard and receiving match notifications are all free.

Do I need an account?

Yes — a free account lets us email you when a possible match is found and keeps your sightings linked to you. We never publish your email.

What makes a good sighting?

Specifics. Where you were, roughly when, and one or two small details — a red scarf, a dog-eared book, what you yourself were doing. The more particular, the more likely the right person recognises it.

Which cities does Just Once cover?

Anywhere in the world — but we have dedicated noticeboards for London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, New York, Paris and Berlin, with more being added.

How is this different from a dating app?

There is no swiping, no profile photos, no algorithm ranking your face. Just a quiet noticeboard for people you've already noticed in real life.

What happens if someone matches my sighting?

We email both of you separately. Nothing is published. Only when both of you confirm it was really you does a private conversation open.

Is my sighting public?

The description and location are public on the noticeboard so the other person can find themselves in it. Your email and full identity are never shown.