We’ve been getting some unexpected press lately, and one consistent thing we’ve noticed is that many relate to WinkVid to Chatroulette, the popular live-video stranger connection website.

To an extent, it’s true. Both WinkVid and Chatroulette focus on real-time connections between users, and we both use live-video to create an engaging experience that’s also a ton of fun. At the same time, we are different than Chatroulette in a few key ways.

Chatroulette has a sketchy reputation because of their super open, completely anonymous system which has led to many users engaging in graphic, profane behavior and experiences. This ‘shock-factor’ is probably a central element in the website’s success.

WinkVid avoids these problems in a few ways. We require people to register for our events to discourage anonymity, and we also charge users to attend an event. This “pay-wall” filters out most users intent on ruining other’s experiences on WinkVid. At the same time, it encourages genuinely interested singles to join. On WinkVid, the focus is always meeting high-quality, interested singles. And if things go well, you’ll feel comfortable grabbing coffee or drinks after the WinkUp.

What do you think? Any questions you have about the service? Perhaps a suggestion or idea? Let us know in the comments!