Dating apps are more widely used than ever, but do they actually work? Results are decidedly mixed and depend on a variety of factors. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about whether you should try dating apps and to get the most out of using them.
It’s always important to define terms. The question of whether dating apps “work” is somewhat subjective, because it depends on what you’re hoping to get out of using dating apps. Some use dating apps as a means to find casual hookups, while some others use them to look for long-term relationships. Depending on your preferences and goals, certain dating apps will work better than others. For example, Tinder is widely considered to be a hookup app, while Hinge bills itself as the key to substantial, long-term connections.
Your success on apps will depend on a variety of factors. Let’s consider some of them.
When you create your dating app profile, you’re making a case for yourself. With such an abundance of potential matches, people typically don’t spend a lot of time analyzing profiles. First impressions matter, so make sure your profile is high quality. Use good photos, write a nice bio, and share your passions and values in a genuine, straightforward way. The better your profile, the more likely you are to have success.
Most dating apps use an algorithm to suggest potential matches. The algorithm will typically use your information to find a good match for you. Some algorithms also weigh a profile’s popularity; if you’re getting a lot of right swipes, the algorithm will hook you up with similarly popular profiles. This latter point underscores the importance of having a high-quality profile!
This will come as no surprise: You’re more likely to have success when your intentions and goals are clear. If you match with someone looking for a potential spouse, but you’re only using the app for casual encounters, then almost by definition this relationship is bound to fail. Set yourself up for success by being clear about your intentions and finding others who share those same intentions.
Using dating apps comes with advantages and disadvantages. Weighing these against each other can help you determine whether you want to use these apps.
An obvious advantage of using dating apps is the convenience they offer. You can find potential matches while sitting on your couch – it doesn’t get much more convenient than that! At your fingertips you have access to millions of other people looking to connect.
Related to apps’ convenience and accessibility is the fact that they offer you a wide pool of potential matches. This is especially true if you live in a densely populated area.
Many apps nowadays offer advanced features that help you find people with whom you’re genuinely well matched. Some of these features include personality assessments, compatibility quizzes, and clever profile prompts that spark meaningful conversations.
One common complaint about dating apps is that the connections they facilitate are very superficial. When you’re talking to people through a screen, it’s easy to keep things surface level, and it can be a way of avoiding the work involved in building real intimacy.
Any time you share personal information online, privacy concerns are raised. Some dating apps share your information and data with third parties. Beyond that, you make yourself vulnerable to harassment and other problematic behavior when you share information with strangers on the internet.
These apps, much like social media platforms, are designed to keep you using them. People often complain that they spend entirely too much time swiping and scrolling – time that could be spent in the real world, meeting your future partner!
There’s sound research now to show that dating apps work. Per the Pew Research Center, about one in ten people in the U.S. in a committed relationship met their partner online. That number goes to one in five when you focus on people under age 30.
People who use dating apps have mixed things to say about their experiences. Surveys are a mixed bag. That said, many users do report having found partners using the apps, or at least having had some nice dates.
Let’s take a look at some of the more popular dating apps out there.
Tinder is the most downloaded dating app in the world. It’s easy to use and popularized the swiping interface common to many dating apps today. Widely used for casual encounters, it’s also been known to lead to more serious relationships.
Bumble is another hugely popular dating app, distinguished by the fact that it empowers women–and only women–to start conversations. In recent years, Bumble has also developed the Bumble BFF features, which allows users to form platonic relationships, too.
Billed as the app “designed to be deleted,” Hinge features conversation-starting prompts that help facilitate deeper conversations based on shared interests. Hinge is often the app-of-choice for people looking to find deep, lasting connections.
OkCupid is another popular dating site, well known for its matching algorithm that uses a vast array of questions and responses to find you a good match. People use it for both casual and serious relationships.
eHarmony emphasizes long-term compatibility by having users fill out an in-depth questionnaire. It is one of the oldest dating platforms, and it is used by people looking to align on values and core lifestyle preferences.
To improve your success rate on dating apps, you’ll want to take into account some of the factors mentioned above, including creating a compelling profile and being honest about your intentions.
Your profile is your chance to make a good first impression and attract the interest of a potential match. Take some time to make your profile compelling. Choose good photos, and actually take the time to write a bio and/or answer prompts. Be authentically yourself and put your best foot forward, and you’ll see much greater success on the apps.
A good way to have success on dating apps is to be honest about your intentions. When you’re honest about your intentions, you give your prospective matches the chance to decide whether you’re truly a good fit. Find someone with whom your intentions align, and you’ll be setting yourself up for success.
Once you’ve matched with someone, really take the time to engage with them. Treat them with the respect they deserve, and really take the time to get to know them. That’s not only a way to resist dating apps’ superficiality; it’s also a way to meet someone with whom you can have a successful relationship.
Different apps serve different purposes, and they also appeal to different audiences. To increase your success, try using multiple different apps in a strategic way.
For all the emphasis on dating apps these days, there are a lot of people who prefer to stay off the apps. Let’s consider some common reasons why.
Frustration with hookup culture is a common complaint among dating app users. That’s why a lot of folks looking for deeper connections have left apps behind.
Some people simply prefer more traditional dating methods – getting linked up by friends, meeting someone in person, and so on.
Some avail themselves of personalized matchmaking services, relying on the judgment and intuition of actual human matchmakers.
Whether dating apps will work for you depends on a variety of factors. But here’s the bottom line: They can work for you, provided you take some simple steps to increase your chances. Moreover, you’d be well advised to use apps that suit your actual preferences and intentions. That said, dating apps aren’t for everyone, and there are alternatives available.
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