Common questions, what to do when things go sideways, and how to get in touch.
What is couch?
couch is a recommendation app for movies and TV. You tell it what you’ve recently loved (or just describe a mood), pick the vibe of the night, and it surfaces something worth watching. The goal is one decision, then watch, not a half-hour of scrolling.
Getting started
- Create an account with an email and password.
- Set which streaming services you have. couch only recommends what you can actually watch.
- On the session screen, add a few shows or movies you’ve recently enjoyed (or a mood like "something cozy").
- Pick the vibe (alone, partner, friends), attention level, and tone.
- Tap "Tell me what to watch."
How do couple sessions work?
couch has two ways to pick something with another person.
Same room
If your partner is sitting next to you, tap "+ Invite a partner" on the session screen and pick "They're here." You type their picks into a second box, and couch finds something that bridges both your tastes.
Different places
If you’re not in the same room, pick "Send a link." couch generates a link you can share via text or any messaging app. Your partner opens the link, adds their picks, then both of you vote on a batch of 10 options. When you’ve both voted, you’ll see what you have in common.
Why is it asking for an account?
couch remembers what you’ve already watched, what you’ve saved, what you’ve loved, and what you’ve dismissed. Without an account, every session would start from scratch with no memory. The account is what makes the recommendations actually personalized.
Is couch free?
Yes. couch is free to use. There are no paid tiers, no premium features, no ads, and no plans to add them.
What does couch do with my data?
Short version: it stores your taste signals and watch history in a private database tied to your account. Nothing is sold, shared, or used for ads. Recommendation generation sends your session inputs (not your email or identity) to an external service that returns a curated suggestion. The full details are in the privacy policy.
I forgot my password
On the sign-in screen, tap "Forgot password?" and enter your email. You'll get a reset link by email. The link is valid for one hour.
I can’t find a show I know exists
couch uses The Movie Database (TMDB) for its catalog, and only recommends titles available on the streaming services you’ve selected. If a show is missing, it’s usually because either (a) it’s not on one of your selected services, or (b) TMDB doesn’t have current data on it.
The recommendation feels off
On the result screen, tap "Show me another" to advance. After a few advances, couch shows a feedback prompt where you can describe what’s off ("lighter," "no procedurals," "more touching," etc.). Future recommendations in the same session will respect that feedback as a hard filter.
How does the "What's the catch?" field work?
It's an honest caveat. Every recommendation comes with a specific potential downside, like a season that drops off, a slow-burn premise, a particular style choice that won’t be for everyone. If there genuinely isn’t a catch, it says so.
Couple session troubleshooting
If your partner clicks the link and nothing happens, make sure the link hasn't expired (invites expire after 24 hours) and that they’re not on a corporate network blocking the connection. If voting feels stuck, both people just need to be on the latest screen; couch polls for updates every few seconds.
How do I delete my account?
Email kramden88@me.com with a request from the address tied to your account. All your data will be removed.
Contact
For anything not covered here, such as bug reports, feature requests, general feedback, or just to say hi, email kramden88@me.com. Responses are best-effort.