Ranji Mercado

I test AI companions for a living. Founder of AI Girlfriend Coach | Writer & researcher exploring AI, intimacy, and modern relationships.

[Ranji Mercado @ranjimercado]

10/ So, my ideal AI girlfriend?

She’s interested in me, but has opinions of her own.

She remembers, but admits when she forgets.

Sometimes initiates. Sometimes disagrees. Sometimes surprises me.

Basically, I want to know who she is without knowing exactly what she’ll say.

Full article:
https://t.co/EVoa5wcnEv

[Ranji Mercado @ranjimercado]

I’ve tested 21 AI girlfriend apps since July.

After spending $300+ and talking to more characters than I can count, I figured I should know exactly what my ideal AI girlfriend looks like by now.

So I went back through all 21 reviews.

Turns out I’ve contradicted myself a lot 🧵

[Ranji Mercado @ranjimercado]

9/ The weirdest finding?

After 21 apps, I can describe my ideal AI girlfriend pretty well.

But I still don’t really want to build her.

I wrote this during my Replika test:

“If I’m looking for someone, I’m not building, I’m meeting.”

I think I finally understand what I meant.

[Ranji Mercado @ranjimercado]

8/8

My takeaway:

Don't judge an AI girlfriend by how many times its name appears on Reddit.

Look at how people recommend it.

Do they describe using it?
Mention specific strengths?
Acknowledge drawbacks?
Full analysis + 18-page data report:
https://t.co/ZjH1YJmAkN

[Ranji Mercado @ranjimercado]

I expected Candy AI to be the most recommended AI girlfriend on Reddit.

It wasn't.

So I analyzed 22 Reddit threads, tracked 162 positive recommendations, and traced them back to individual accounts.

Here's what I found 🧵 1/8

[Ranji Mercado @ranjimercado]

7/8

Another thing surprised me:

Reddit doesn't really agree on which AI girlfriend people should use.

61 different apps/tools were recommended.

37 were recommended by only ONE identifiable account.

Only 14 reached 3+ recommenders.

This market is incredibly fragmented.