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Dating Apps and Their Sociodemographic and Psychosocial Correlates: A Systematic Review

The emergence and popularization of dating apps have changed the way people meet and interact with potential romantic and sexual partners. In parallel with the increased use of these applications, a remarkable scientific literature has developed. However, due to the recency of the phenomenon, some gaps in the existing research can be expected. Therefore, the objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the empirical research of the psychosocial content published in the last five years (2016–2020) on dating apps. A search was conducted in different databases, and we identified 502 articles in our initial search. After screening titles and abstracts and examining articles in detail, 70 studies were included in the review. The most relevant data (author/s and year, sample size and characteristics, methodology) and their findings were extracted from each study and grouped into four blocks: user dating apps characteristics, usage characteristics, motives for use, and benefits and risks of use. The limitations of the literature consulted are discussed, as well as the practical implications of the results obtained, highlighting the relevance of dating apps, which have become a tool widely used by millions of people around the world.

1. Introduction

In the last decade, the popularization of the Internet and the use of the smartphone and the emergence of real-time location-based dating apps (e.g., Tinder, Grindr) have transformed traditional pathways of socialization and promoted new ways of meeting and relating to potential romantic and/or sexual partners [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ].

It is difficult to know reliably how many users currently make use of dating apps, due to the secrecy of the developer companies. However, thanks to the information provided by different reports and studies, the magnitude of the phenomenon can be seen online. For example, the Statista Market Forecast [ 5 ] portal estimated that by the end of 2019, there were more than 200 million active users of dating apps worldwide. It has been noted that more than ten million people use Tinder daily, which has been downloaded more than a hundred million times worldwide [ 6 , 7 ]. In addition, studies conducted in different geographical and cultural contexts have shown that around 40% of single adults are looking for an online partner [ 8 ], or that around 25% of new couples met through this means [ 9 ].

Some theoretical reviews related to users and uses of dating apps have been published, although they have focused on specific groups, such as men who have sex with men (MSM [ 10 , 11 ]) or on certain risks, such as aggression and abuse through apps [ 12 ].

Anzani et al. [ 1 ] conducted a review of the literature on the use of apps to find a sexual partner, in which they focused on users’ sociodemographic characteristics, usage patterns, and the transition from online to offline contact. However, this is not a systematic review of the results of studies published up to that point and it leaves out some relevant aspects that have received considerable research attention, such as the reasons for use of dating apps, or their associated advantages and risks.

Thus, we find a recent and changing object of study, which has achieved great social relevance in recent years and whose impact on research has not been adequately studied and evaluated so far. Therefore, the objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the empirical research of psychosocial content published in the last five years (2016–2020) on dating apps. By doing so, we intend to assess the state of the literature in terms of several relevant aspects (i.e., users’ profile, uses and motives for use, advantages, and associated risks), pointing out some limitations and posing possible future lines of research. Practical implications will be highlighted.

2. Materials and Methods

The systematic literature review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines [ 13 , 14 ], and following the recommendations of Gough et al. [ 15 ]. However, it should be noted that, as the objective of this study was to provide a state of the art view of the published literature on dating apps in the last five years and without statistical data processing, there are several principles included in the PRISMA that could not be met (e.g., summary measures, planned methods of analysis, additional analysis, risk of bias within studies). However, following the advice of the developers of these guidelines concerning the specific nature of systematic reviews, the procedure followed has been described in a clear, precise, and replicable manner [ 13 ].

2.1. Literature Search and Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

We examined the databases of the Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline, as well as PsycInfo and Psycarticle and Google Scholar, between 1 March and 6 April 2020. In all the databases consulted, we limited the search to documents from the last five years (2016–2020) and used general search terms, such as “dating apps” and “online dating” (linking the latter with “apps”), in addition to the names of some of the most popular and frequently used dating apps worldwide, such as “tinder”, “grindr”, and “momo”, to identify articles that met the inclusion criteria (see below).

The selection criteria in this systematic review were established and agreed on by the two authors of this study. The database search was carried out by one researcher. In case of doubt about whether or not a study should be included in the review, consultation occurred and the decision was agreed upon by the two researchers.

Four-hundred and ninety-three results were located, to which were added 15 documents that were found through other resources (e.g., social networks, e-mail alerts, newspapers, the web). After these documents were reviewed and the duplicates removed, a total of 502 records remained, as shown by the flowchart presented in Figure 1 . At that time, the following inclusion criteria were applied: (1) empirical, quantitative or qualitative articles; (2) published on paper or in electronic format (including “online first”) between 2016 and 2020 (we decided to include articles published since 2016 after finding that the previous empirical literature in databases on dating apps from a psychosocial point of view was not very large; in fact, the earliest studies of Tinder included in Scopus dated back to 2016; (3) to be written in English or Spanish; and (4) with psychosocial content. No theoretical reviews, case studies/ethnography, user profile content analyses, institutional reports, conference presentations, proceeding papers, etc., were taken into account.

Flowchart of the systematic review process.

Thus, the process of refining the results, which can be viewed graphically in Figure 1 , was as follows. Of the initial 502 results, the following exclusion criteria were applied: (1) pre-2016 documents (96 records excluded); (2) documents that either did not refer to dating apps or did so from a technological approach (identified through title and abstract; 239 records excluded); (3) published in a language other than English or Spanish (10 records excluded); (4) institutional reports, or analysis of the results of such reports (six records excluded); (5) proceeding papers (six records excluded); (6) systematic reviews and theoretical reflections (26 records excluded); (7) case studies/ethnography (nine records excluded); (8) non-empirical studies of a sociological nature (20 records excluded); (9) analysis of user profile content and campaigns on dating apps and other social networks (e.g., Instagram; nine records excluded); and (10) studies with confusing methodology, which did not explain the methodology followed, the instruments used, and/or the characteristics of the participants (11 records excluded). This process led to a final sample of 70 empirical studies (55 quantitative studies, 11 qualitative studies, and 4 mixed studies), as shown by the flowchart presented in Figure 1 .

2.2. Data Collection Process and Data Items

One review author extracted the data from the included studies, and the second author checked the extracted data. Information was extracted from each included study of: (1) author/s and year; (2) sample size and characteristics; (3) methodology used; (4) main findings.

Table 1 shows the information extracted from each of the articles included in this systematic review. The main findings drawn from these studies are also presented below, distributed in different sections.

Characteristics of reviewed studies.

3.1. Characteristics of Reviewed Studies

First, the characteristics of the 70 articles included in the systematic review were analyzed. An annual increase in production can be seen, with 2019 being the most productive year, with 31.4% ( n = 22) of included articles. More articles (11) were published in the first three months of 2020 than in 2016. It is curious to note, on the other hand, how, in the titles of the articles, some similar formulas were repeated, even the same articles (e.g., Love me Tinder), playing with the swipe characteristic of this type of application (e.g., Swiping more, Swiping right, Swiping me).

As for the methodology used, the first aspect to note is that all the localized studies were cross-sectional and there were no longitudinal ones. As mentioned above, 80% ( n = 55) of the studies were quantitative, especially through online survey ( n = 49; 70%). 15.7% ( n = 11) used a qualitative methodology, either through semi-structured interviews or focus groups. And 5.7% ( n = 4) used a mixed methodology, both through surveys and interviews. It is worth noting the increasing use of tools such as Amazon Mechanical Turk ( n = 9, 12.9%) or Qualtrics ( n = 8, 11.4%) for the selection of participants and data collection.

The studies included in the review were conducted in different geographical and cultural contexts. More than one in five investigations was conducted in the United States (22.8%, n = 16), to which the two studies carried out in Canada can be added. Concerning other contexts, 20% ( n = 14) of the included studies was carried out in different European countries (e.g., Belgium, The Netherlands, UK, Spain), whereas 15.7% ( n = 11) was carried out in China, and 8.6% ( n = 6) in other countries (e.g., Thailand, Australia). However, 21.4% ( n = 15) of the investigations did not specify the context they were studying.

Finally, 57.1% ( n = 40) of the studies included in the systematic review asked about dating apps use, without specifying which one. The results of these studies showed that Tinder was the most used dating app among heterosexual people and Grindr among sexual minorities. Furthermore, 35% ( n = 25) of the studies included in the review focused on the use of Tinder, while 5.7% ( n = 4) focused on Grindr.

3.2. Characteristics of Dating App Users

It is difficult to find studies that offer an overall user profile of dating apps, as many of them have focused on specific populations or groups. However, based on the information collected in the studies included in this review, some features of the users of these applications may be highlighted.

Gender. Traditionally, it has been claimed that men use dating apps more than women and that they engage in more casual sex relationships through apps [ 3 ]. In fact, some authors, such as Weiser et al. [ 75 ], collected data that indicated that 60% of the users of these applications were male and 40% were female. Some current studies endorse that being male predicts the use of dating apps [ 23 ], but research has also been published in recent years that has shown no differences in the proportion of male and female users [ 59 , 68 ].

To explain these similar prevalence rates, some authors, such as Chan [ 27 ], have proposed a feminist perspective, stating that women use dating apps to gain greater control over their relationships and sexuality, thus countering structural gender inequality. On the other hand, other authors have referred to the perpetuation of traditional masculinity and femmephobic language in these applications [ 28 , 53 ].

Age. Specific studies have been conducted on people of different ages: adolescents [ 49 ], young people (e.g., [ 21 , 23 , 71 ]), and middle-aged and older people [ 58 ]. The most studied group has been young people between 18 and 30 years old, mainly university students, and some authors have concluded that the age subgroup with a higher prevalence of use of dating apps is between 24 and 30 years of age [ 44 , 59 ].

Sexual orientation. This is a fundamental variable in research on dating apps. In recent years, especially after the success of Tinder, the use of these applications by heterosexuals, both men and women, has increased, which has affected the increase of research on this group [ 3 , 59 ]. However, the most studied group with the highest prevalence rates of dating apps use is that of men from sexual minorities [ 18 , 40 ]. There is considerable literature on this collective, both among adolescents [ 49 ], young people [ 18 ], and older people [ 58 ], in different geographical contexts and both in urban and rural areas [ 24 , 36 , 43 , 79 ]. Moreover, being a member of a sexual minority, especially among men, seems to be a good predictor of the use of dating apps [ 23 ].

For these people, being able to communicate online can be particularly valuable, especially for those who may have trouble expressing their sexual orientation and/or finding a partner [ 3 , 80 ]. There is much less research on non-heterosexual women and this focuses precisely on their need to reaffirm their own identity and discourse, against the traditional values of hetero-patriate societies [ 35 , 69 ].

Relationship status. It has traditionally been argued that the prevalence of the use of dating apps was much higher among singles than among those with a partner [ 72 ]. This remains the case, as some studies have shown that being single was the most powerful sociodemographic predictor of using these applications [ 23 ]. However, several investigations have concluded that there is a remarkable percentage of users, between 10 and 29%, who have a partner [ 4 , 17 , 72 ]. From what has been studied, usually aimed at evaluating infidelity [ 17 , 75 ], the reasons for using Tinder are very different depending on the relational state, and the users of this app who had a partner had had more sexual and romantic partners than the singles who used it [ 72 ].

Other sociodemographic variables. Some studies, such as the one of Shapiro et al. [ 64 ], have found a direct relationship between the level of education and the use of dating apps. However, most studies that contemplated this variable have focused on university students (see, for example [ 21 , 23 , 31 , 38 ]), so there may be a bias in the interpretation of their results. The findings of Shapiro et al. [ 64 ] presented a paradox: while they found a direct link between Tinder use and educational level, they also found that those who did not use any app achieved better grades. Another striking result about the educational level is that of the study of Neyt et al. [ 9 ] about their users’ characteristics and those that are sought in potential partners through the apps. These authors found a heterogeneous effect of educational level by gender: whereas women preferred a potential male partner with a high educational level, this hypothesis was not refuted in men, who preferred female partners with lower educational levels.

Other variables evaluated in the literature on dating apps are place of residence or income level. As for the former, app users tend to live in urban contexts, so studies are usually performed in large cities (e.g., [ 11 , 28 , 45 ]), although it is true that in recent years studies are beginning to be seen in rural contexts to know the reality of the people who live there [ 43 ]. It has also been shown that dating app users have a higher income level than non-users, although this can be understood as a feature associated with young people with high educational levels. However, it seems that the use of these applications is present in all social layers, as it has been documented even among homeless youth in the United States [ 66 ].

Personality and other psychosocial variables. The literature that relates the use of dating apps to different psychosocial variables is increasingly extensive and diverse. The most evaluated variable concerning the use of these applications is self-esteem, although the results are inconclusive. It seems established that self-esteem is the most important psychological predictor of using dating apps [ 6 , 8 , 59 ]. But some authors, such as Orosz et al. [ 55 ], warn that the meaning of that relationship is unclear: apps can function both as a resource for and a booster of self-esteem (e.g., having a lot of matches) or to decrease it (e.g., lack of matches, ignorance of usage patterns).

The relationship between dating app use and attachment has also been studied. Chin et al. [ 29 ] concluded that people with a more anxious attachment orientation and those with a less avoidant orientation were more likely to use these apps.

Sociosexuality is another important variable concerning the use of dating apps. It has been found that users of these applications tended to have a less restrictive sociosexuality, especially those who used them to have casual sex [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 21 ].

Finally, the most studied approach in this field is the one that relates the use of dating apps with certain personality traits, both from the Big Five and from the dark personality model. As for the Big Five model, Castro et al. [ 23 ] found that the only trait that allowed the prediction of the current use of these applications was open-mindedness. Other studies looked at the use of apps, these personality traits, and relational status. Thus, Timmermans and De Caluwé [ 71 ] found that single users of Tinder were more outgoing and open to new experiences than non-user singles, who scored higher in conscientiousness. For their part, Timmermans et al. [ 72 ] concluded that Tinder users who had a partner scored lower in agreeableness and conscientiousness and higher in neuroticism than people with partners who did not use Tinder.

The dark personality, on the other hand, has been used to predict the different reasons for using dating apps [ 48 ], as well as certain antisocial behaviors in Tinder [ 6 , 51 ]. As for the differences in dark personality traits between users and non-users of dating apps, the results are inconclusive. A study was localized that highlighted the relevance of psychopathy [ 3 ] whereas another study found no predictive power as a global indicator of dark personality [ 23 ].

3.3. Characteristics of Dating App Use

It is very difficult to know not only the actual number of users of dating apps in any country in the world but also the prevalence of use. This varies depending on the collectives studied and the sampling techniques used. Given this caveat, the results of some studies do allow an idea of the proportion of people using these apps. It has been found to vary between the 12.7% found by Castro et al. [ 23 ] and the 60% found by LeFebvre [ 44 ]. Most common, however, is to find a participant prevalence of between 40–50% [ 3 , 4 , 39 , 62 , 64 ], being slightly higher among men from sexual minorities [ 18 , 50 ].

The study of Botnen et al. [ 21 ] among Norwegian university students concluded that about half of the participants appeared to be a user of dating apps, past or present. But only one-fifth were current users, a result similar to those found by Castro et al. [ 23 ] among Spanish university students. The most widely used, and therefore the most examined, apps in the studies are Tinder and Grindr. The first is the most popular among heterosexuals, and the second among men of sexual minorities [ 3 , 18 , 36 , 70 ].

Findings from existing research on the characteristics of the use of dating apps can be divided among those referring to before (e.g., profiling), during (e.g., use), and after (e.g., offline behavior with other app users). Regarding before , the studies focus on users’ profile-building and self-presentation more among men of sexual minorities [ 52 , 77 ]. Ward [ 74 ] highlighted the importance of the process of choosing the profile picture in applications that are based on physical appearance. Like Ranzini and Lutz [ 59 ], Ward [ 74 ] mentions the differences between the “real self” and the “ideal self” created in dating apps, where one should try to maintain a balance between one and the other. Self-esteem plays a fundamental role in this process, as it has been shown that higher self-esteem encourages real self-presentation [ 59 ].

Most of the studies that analyze the use of dating apps focus on during , i.e. on how applications are used. As for the frequency of use and the connection time, Chin et al. [ 29 ] found that Tinder users opened the app up to 11 times a day, investing up to 90 minutes per day. Strubel and Petrie [ 67 ] found that 23% of Tinder users opened the app two to three times a day, and 14% did so once a day. Meanwhile, Sumter and Vandenbosch [ 3 ] concluded that 23% of the users opened Tinder daily.

It seems that the frequency and intensity of use, in addition to the way users behave on dating apps, vary depending on sexual orientation and sex. Members of sexual minorities, especially men, use these applications more times per day and for longer times [ 18 ]. As for sex, different patterns of behavior have been observed both in men and women, as the study of Timmermans and Courtois [ 4 ] shows. Men use apps more often and more intensely, but women use them more selectively and effectively. They accumulate more matches than men and do so much faster, allowing them to choose and have a greater sense of control. Therefore, it is concluded that the number of swipes and likes of app users does not guarantee a high number of matches in Tinder [ 4 ].

Some authors are alert to various behaviors observed in dating apps which, in some cases, may be negative for the user. For example, Yeo and Fung [ 77 ] mention the fast and hasty way of acting in apps, which is incongruous with cultural norms for the formation of friendships and committed relationships and ends up frustrating those who seek more lasting relationships. Parisi and Comunello [ 57 ] highlighted a key to the use of apps and a paradox. They referred to relational homophilia, that is, the tendency to be attracted to people similar to oneself. But, at the same time, this occurs in a context that increases the diversity of intimate interactions, thus expanding pre-existing networks. Finally, Licoppe [ 45 ] concluded that users of Grindr and Tinder present almost opposite types of communication and interaction. In Grindr, quick conversations seem to take precedence, aimed at organizing immediate sexual encounters, whereas, in Tinder, there are longer conversations and more exchange of information.

The latest group of studies focuses on offline behavior with contacts made through dating apps. Differences have been observed in the prevalence of encounters with other app users, possibly related to participants’ sociodemographic characteristics. Whereas Strugo and Muise [ 2 ], and Macapagal et al. [ 49 ] found that between 60 and 70% of their participants had had an encounter with another person known through these applications, in other studies this is less common, with prevalence being less than 50% [ 3 , 4 , 62 ]. In fact, Griffin et al. [ 39 ] stated that in-person encounters were relatively rare among users of dating apps.

There are also differences in the types of relationships that arose after offline encounters with other users. Strugo and Muise [ 2 ] concluded that 33% of participants had found a romantic partner and that 52% had had casual sex with at least one partner met through an app. Timmermans and Courtois [ 4 ] found that one-third of the offline encounters ended in casual sex and one-fourth in a committed relationship. Sumter and Vandenbosch [ 3 ], for their part, concluded that 18.6% of the participants had had sex with another person they had met on Tinder. And finally, the participants in the study of Timmermans and De Caluwé [ 71 ] indicated that: (1) they had met face-to-face with an average of 4.25 people whom they had met on Tinder; (2) they had had one romantic relationship with people met on Tinder; (3) they had had casual sex with an average of 1.57 people met on Tinder; and (4) they had become friends with an average of 2.19 people met on Tinder.

3.4. Motives for Dating App Use

There is a stereotype that dating apps are used only, or above all, to look for casual sex [ 44 ]. In fact, these applications have been accused of generating a hookup culture, associated with superficiality and sexual frivolity [ 2 ]. However, this is not the case. In the last five years, a large body of literature has been generated on the reasons why people use dating apps, especially Tinder, and the conclusion is unanimous: apps serve multiple purposes, among which casual sex is only one [ 1 , 4 , 44 ]. It has been found that up to 70% of the app users participating in a study [ 18 ] indicated that their goal when using it was not sex-seeking.

An evolution of research interest can be traced regarding the reasons that guide people to use dating apps [ 55 ]. The first classification of reasons for using Tinder was published by Ranzini and Lutz [ 59 ], who adapted a previous scale, designed for Grindr, composed of six motives: hooking up/sex (finding sexual partners), friendship (building a social network), relationship (finding a romantic partner), traveling (having dates in different places), self-validation (self-improvement), and entertainment (satisfying social curiosity). They found that the reason given by most users was those of entertainment, followed by those of self-validation and traveling, with the search for sex occupying fourth place in importance. However, the adaptation of this scale did not have adequate psychometric properties and it has not been reused.

Subsequently, Sumter et al. [ 68 ] generated a new classification of reasons to use Tinder, later refined by Sumter and Vandenbosch [ 3 ]. They proposed six reasons for use, both relational (love, casual sex), intrapersonal (ease of communication, self-worth validation), and entertainment (the thrill of excitement, trendiness). The motivation most indicated by the participants was that of love, and the authors concluded that Tinder is used: (1) to find love and/or sex; (2) because it is easy to communicate; (3) to feel better about oneself; and (4) because it’s fun and exciting.

At the same time, Timmermans and De Caluwé [ 70 ] developed the Tinder Motives Scale, which evaluates up to 13 reasons for using Tinder. The reasons, sorted by the scores obtained, were: to pass time/entertainment, curiosity, socializing, relationship-seeking, social approval, distraction, flirting/social skills, sexual orientation, peer pressure, traveling, sexual experience, ex, and belongingness. So far, the most recently published classification of reasons is that of Orosz et al. [ 55 ], who in the Tinder Use Motivations Scale proposed four groups of reasons: boredom (individual reasons to use Tinder to overcome boredom), self-esteem (use of Tinder to improve self-esteem), sex (use of Tinder to satisfy sexual need) and love (use of Tinder to find love). As in the previous scales, the reasons of seeking sex did not score higher on this scale, so it can be concluded that dating apps are not mainly used for this reason.

The existing literature indicates that reasons for the use of dating apps may vary depending on different sociodemographic and personality variables [ 1 ]. As for sex, Ranzini and Lutz [ 59 ] found that women used Tinder more for friendship and self-validation, whereas men used it more to seek sex and relationships. Sumter et al. [ 68 ] found something similar: men scored higher than women in casual sex motivation and also in the motives of ease of communication and thrill of excitement.

With regard to age, Ward [ 74 ] concluded that motivations change over time and Sumter et al. [ 68 ] found a direct association with the motives of love, casual sex, and ease of communication. In terms of sexual orientation, it has become commoner for people from sexual minorities, especially men, than for heterosexual participants to use these applications much more in the search for casual sex [ 18 ].

Finally, other studies have concluded that personality guides the motivations for the use of dating apps [ 3 , 72 ]. A line of research initiated in recent years links dark personality traits to the reasons for using Tinder. In this investigation, Lyons et al. [ 48 ] found that people who score high in Machiavellianism and psychopathy offer more reasons for use (e.g., get casual sex, acquiring social or flirting skills).

3.5. Benefits and Risks of Using Dating Apps

In the latter section, the benefits and advantages of the use of dating apps are analyzed. There is also an extensive literature on the risks associated with use. Many studies indicate that dating apps have opened a new horizon in how to meet potential partners, allowing access to many [ 3 , 6 , 8 ], which may be even more positive for certain individuals and groups who have been silenced or marginalized, such as some men from sexual minorities [ 80 ]. It has also been emphasized that these applications are a non-intimidating way to start connecting, they are flexible and free, and require less time and effort than other traditional means of communication [ 1 , 55 ].

On the other hand, the advantages of apps based on the technology they use and the possibilities they pose to users have been highlighted. Ranzini and Lutz [ 59 ] underlined four aspects. First is the portability of smartphones and tablets, which allows the use of apps in any location, both private and public. Second is availability, as their operation increases the spontaneity and frequency of use of the apps, and this, in turn, allows a quick face-to-face encounter, turning online interactions into offline relationships [ 70 , 77 ]. Thirdly is locatability, as dating apps allow matches, messages, and encounters with other users who are geographically close [ 77 ]. Finally is multimediality, the relevance of the visual, closely related to physical appearance, which results in two channels of communication (photos and messages) and the possibility of linking the profile with that of other social networks, such as Facebook and Instagram [ 4 ].

There is also considerable literature focused on the potential risks associated with using these applications. The topics covered in the studies can be grouped into four blocks, having in common the negative consequences that these apps can generate in users’ mental, relational, and sexual health. The first block focuses on the configuration and use of the applications themselves. Their emergence and popularization have been so rapid that apps pose risks associated with security, intimacy, and privacy [ 16 , 20 ]. This can lead to more insecure contacts, especially among women, and fears related to the ease of localization and the inclusion of personal data in apps [ 39 ]. Some authors highlight the paradox that many users suffer: they have more chances of contact than ever before, but at the same time this makes them more vulnerable [ 26 , 80 ].

This block can also include studies on the problematic use of apps, which can affect the daily lives of users [ 34 , 56 ], and research that focuses on the possible negative psychological effects of their use, as a link has been shown between using dating apps and loneliness, dissatisfaction with life, and feeling excluded from the world [ 24 , 34 , 78 ].

The second block of studies on the risks associated with dating apps refers to discrimination and aggression. Some authors, such as Conner [ 81 ] and Lauckner et al. [ 43 ], have argued that technology, instead of reducing certain abusive cultural practices associated with deception, discrimination, or abuse (e.g., about body types, weight, age, rural environments, racism, HIV stigma), has accentuated them, and this can affect users’ mental health. Moreover, certain antisocial behaviors in apps, such as trolling [ 6 , 51 ], have been studied, and a relationship has been found between being a user of these applications and suffering some episode of sexual victimization, both in childhood and adulthood [ 30 ].

The following block refers to the risks of dating app use regarding diet and body image. These applications, focusing on appearance and physical attractiveness, can promote excessive concerns about body image, as well as various negative consequences associated with it (e.g., unhealthy weight management behaviors, low satisfaction and high shame about the body, more comparisons with appearance [ 22 , 36 , 67 , 73 ]). These risks have been more closely associated with men than with women [ 61 ], perhaps because of the standards of physical attractiveness prevalent among men of sexual minorities, which have been the most studied collective.

The last block of studies on the risks of dating app use focuses on their relationship with risky sexual behaviors. This is probably the most studied topic in different populations (e.g., sexual minority men, heterosexual people). The use of these applications can contribute to a greater performance of risky sexual behaviors, which results in a higher prevalence of sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs). However, the results of the studies analyzed are inconclusive [ 40 ].

On the one hand, some studies find a relationship between being a user of dating apps and performing more risky sexual behaviors (e.g., having more sexual partners, less condom use, more relationships under the effects of alcohol and other drugs), both among men from sexual minorities [ 19 ] and among heterosexual individuals [ 32 , 41 , 62 ]. On the other hand, some research has found that, although app users perform more risky behaviors, especially having more partners, they also engage in more prevention behaviors (e.g., more sex counseling, more HIV tests, more treatment) and they do not use the condoms less than non-users [ 18 , 50 , 64 , 79 ]. Studies such as that of Luo et al. [ 46 ] and that of Wu [ 76 ] also found greater use of condoms among app users than among non-users.

Finally, some studies make relevant appraisals of this topic. For example, Green et al. [ 38 ] concluded that risky sexual behaviors are more likely to be performed when sex is performed with a person met through a dating app with whom some common connection was made (e.g., shared friends in Facebook or Instagram). This is because these users tend to avoid discussing issues related to prevention, either because they treat that person more familiarly, or for fear of possible gossip. Finally, Hahn et al. [ 40 ] found that, among men from sexual minorities, the contact time prior to meeting in person was associated with greater prevention. The less time between the conversation and the first encounter, the more likely the performance of risky behaviors.

4. Discussion

In a very few years, dating apps have revolutionized the way of meeting and interacting with potential partners. In parallel with the popularization of these applications, a large body of knowledge has been generated which, however, has not been collected in any systematic review. Given the social relevance that this phenomenon has reached, we performed this study to gather and analyze the main findings of empirical research on psychosocial content published in the last five years (2016–2020) on dating apps.

Seventy studies were located and analyzed, after applying stringent inclusion criteria that, for various reasons, left out a large number of investigations. Thus, it has been found that the literature on the subject is extensive and varied. Studies of different types and methodologies have been published, in very diverse contexts, on very varied populations and focusing on different aspects, some general and others very specific. Therefore, the first and main conclusion of this study is that the phenomenon of dating apps is transversal, and very present in the daily lives of millions of people around the world.

This transversality has been evident in the analysis of the characteristics of the users of dating apps. Apps have been found to be used, regardless of sex [ 59 , 68 ], age [ 49 , 58 , 71 ], sexual orientation [ 3 , 59 ], relational status [ 72 ], educational and income level [ 9 , 66 ], or personality traits [ 23 , 48 , 72 ].

Another conclusion that can be drawn from this analysis is that there are many preconceived ideas and stereotypes about dating apps, both at the research and social level, which are supported by the literature, but with nuances. For example, although the stereotype says that apps are mostly used by men, studies have concluded that women use them in a similar proportion, and more effectively [ 4 ]. The same goes for sexual orientation or relational status; the stereotype says that dating apps are mostly used by men of sexual minorities and singles [ 1 ], but some apps (e.g., Tinder) are used more by heterosexual people [ 3 , 59 ] and there is a remarkable proportion of people with a partner who use these apps [ 4 , 17 ].

A third conclusion of the review of the studies is that to know and be able to foresee the possible consequences of the use of dating apps, how and why they are used are particularly relevant. For this reason, both the use and the motives for use of these applications have been analyzed, confirming the enormous relevance of different psychosocial processes and variables (e.g., self-esteem, communication, and interaction processes), both before (profiling), during (use), and after (off-line encounters) of the use of dating apps.

However, in this section, what stands out most is the difficulty in estimating the prevalence of the use of dating apps. Very disparate prevalence have been found not only because of the possible differences between places and groups (see, for example [ 18 , 23 , 44 , 64 ]), but also because of the use of different sampling and information collection procedures, which in some cases, over-represent app users. All this hinders the characterization and assessment of the phenomenon of dating apps, as well as the work of the researchers. After selecting the group to be studied, it would be more appropriate to collect information from a representative sample, without conditioning or directing the study toward users, as this may inflate the prevalence rates.

The study of motives for the use of dating apps may contain the strongest findings of all those appraised in this review. Here, once again, a preconceived idea has been refuted, not only among researchers but across society. Since their appearance, there is a stereotype that dating apps are mostly used for casual sex [ 2 , 44 ]. However, studies constantly and consistently show that this is not the case. The classifications of the reasons analyzed for their use have concluded that people use dating apps for a variety of reasons, such as to entertain themselves, out of curiosity, to socialize, and to seek relationships, both sexual and romantic [ 3 , 59 , 68 , 70 ]. Thus, these apps should not be seen as merely for casual sex, but as much more [ 68 ].

Understanding the reasons for using dating apps provides a necessary starting point for research questions regarding the positive and negative effects of use [ 70 ]. Thus, the former result block reflected findings on the advantages and risks associated with using dating apps. In this topic, there may be a paradox in the sense that something that is an advantage (e.g., access to a multitude of potential partners, facilitates meeting people) turns into a drawback (e.g., loss of intimacy and privacy). Research on the benefits of using dating apps is relatively scarce, but it has stressed that these tools are making life and relationships easier for many people worldwide [ 6 , 80 ].

The literature on the risks associated with using dating apps is much broader, perhaps explaining the negative social vision of them that still exists nowadays. These risks have highlighted body image, aggression, and the performance of risky sexual behaviors. Apps represent a contemporary environment that, based on appearance and physical attractiveness, is associated with several negative pressures and perceptions about the body, which can have detrimental consequences for the physical and mental health of the individual [ 67 ]. As for assaults, there is a growing literature alerting us to the increasing amount of sexual harassment and abuse related to dating apps, especially in more vulnerable groups, such as women, or among people of sexual minorities (e.g., [ 12 , 82 ]).

Finally, there is considerable research that has analyzed the relationship between the use of dating apps and risky sexual behaviors, in different groups and with inconclusive results, as has already been shown [ 40 , 46 , 76 ]. In any case, as dating apps favor contact and interaction between potential partners, and given that a remarkable percentage of sexual contacts are unprotected [ 10 , 83 ], further research should be carried out on this topic.

Limitations and Future Directions

The meteoric appearance and popularization of dating apps have generated high interest in researchers around the world in knowing how they work, the profile of users, and the psychosocial processes involved. However, due to the recency of the phenomenon, there are many gaps in the current literature on these applications. That is why, in general terms, more research is needed to improve the understanding of all the elements involved in the functioning of dating apps.

It is strange to note that many studies have been conducted focusing on very specific aspects related to apps while other central aspects, such as the profile of users, had not yet been consolidated. Thus, it is advisable to improve the understanding of the sociodemographic and personality characteristics of those who use dating apps, to assess possible differences with those who do not use them. Attention should also be paid to certain groups that have been poorly studied (e.g., women from sexual minorities), as research has routinely focused on men and heterosexual people.

Similarly, limitations in understanding the actual data of prevalence of use have been highlighted, due to the over-representation of the number of users of dating apps seen in some studies. Therefore, it would be appropriate to perform studies in which the app user would not be prioritized, to know the actual use of these tools among the population at large. Although further studies must continue to be carried out on the risks of using these applications (e.g., risky sexual behaviors), it is also important to highlight the positive sexual and relational consequences of their use, in order to try to mitigate the negative social vision that still exists about dating app users. Last but not least, as all the studies consulted and included in this systematic review were cross-sectional, longitudinal studies are necessary which can evaluate the evolution of dating apps, their users and their uses, motives, and consequences.

The main limitations of this systematic review concern the enormous amount of information currently existing on dating apps. Despite having applied rigorous exclusion criteria, limiting the studies to the 2016–2020 period, and that the final sample was of 70 studies, much information has been analyzed and a significant number of studies and findings that may be relevant were left out. In future, the theoretical reviews that are made will have to be more specific, focused on certain groups and/or problems.

Another limitation—in this case, methodological, to do with the characteristics of the topic analyzed and the studies included—is that not all the criteria of the PRISMA guidelines were followed [ 13 , 14 ]. We intended to make known the state of the art in a subject well-studied in recent years, and to gather the existing literature without statistical treatment of the data. Therefore, there are certain criteria of PRISMA (e.g., summary measures, planned methods of analysis, additional analysis, risk of bias within studies) that cannot be satisfied.

However, as stated in the Method section, the developers of the PRISMA guidelines themselves have stated that some systematic reviews are of a different nature and that not all of them can meet these criteria. Thus, their main recommendation, to present methods with adequate clarity and transparency to enable readers to critically judge the available evidence and replicate or update the research, has been followed [ 13 ].

Finally, as the initial search in the different databases was carried by only one of the authors, some bias could have been introduced. However, as previously noted, with any doubt about the inclusion of any study, the final decision was agreed between both authors, so we expect this possible bias to be small.

5. Conclusions

Dating apps have come to stay and constitute an unstoppable social phenomenon, as evidenced by the usage and published literature on the subject over the past five years. These apps have become a new way to meet and interact with potential partners, changing the rules of the game and romantic and sexual relationships for millions of people all over the world. Thus, it is important to understand them and integrate them into the relational and sexual life of users [ 76 ].

The findings of this systematic review have relevant implications for various groups (i.e., researchers, clinicians, health prevention professionals, users). Detailed information has been provided on the characteristics of users and the use of dating apps, the most common reasons for using them, and the benefits and risks associated with them. This can guide researchers to see what has been done and how it has been done and to design future research.

Second, there are implications for clinicians and health prevention and health professionals, concerning mental, relational, and sexual health. These individuals will have a starting point for designing more effective information and educational programs. These programs could harness the potential of the apps themselves and be integrated into them, as suggested by some authors [ 42 , 84 ].

Finally and unavoidably, knowledge about the phenomenon of dating apps collected in this systematic review can have positive implications for users, who may have at their disposal the necessary tools to make a healthy and responsible use of these applications, maximizing their advantages and reducing the risks posed by this new form of communication present in the daily life of so many people.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, Á.C. and J.R.B.; methodology, Á.C. and J.R.B.; formal analysis, Á.C. and J.R.B.; investigation, Á.C. and J.R.B.; resources, Á.C. and J.R.B.; data curation, Á.C. and J.R.B.; writing—original draft preparation, Á.C.; writing—review and editing, J.R.B. and Á.C.; project administration, Á.C.; funding acquisition, Á.C. and J.R.B. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

This research was funded by: (1) Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Government of Spain (PGC2018-097086-A-I00); and (2) Government of Aragón (Group S31_20D). Department of Innovation, Research and University and FEDER 2014-2020, “Building Europe from Aragón”.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

When Love and the Algorithm Don’t Mix

W hen I met my husband, who happens to be white, he told me that he was always seeing women with blonde hair on Tinder and he’s not really into blondes. No matter how many times he had swiped left on blondes, the algorithms were always recommending them to him, presumably because pop culture dictates that white men prefer blondes . Luckily for us, the algorithms’ tendency to stack blonde women in his swipe deck worked out in our favor because I’m a black woman who, at the time, had blonde hair. 

In nearly 10 years of swiping through profiles on Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and OkCupid, I learned that dating apps can provide pathways for finding friendship, adventure, romance, and sometimes, love. But there was one aspect of dating app culture that I couldn’t ignore because it was often the first thing matches wanted to talk about: race. People wanted to know where my skin tone came from. They asked if I was mixed. They wanted to tell me that they’d never been with a black woman before.

Online dating as a black woman is a unique experience . Black women are often over-targeted by those seeking exoticism, yet we are told that we are the least desired dating demographic . I wondered how dating apps’ algorithms reconciled my blackness: was I being placed in match decks because of my blackness or despite it? It also sparked another question: Why do so many daters still wind up single after spending countless hours on dating apps? Maybe the algorithms just aren’t into them, especially if they are people of color or someone who dates folks of all ethnic and racial backgrounds. Or perhaps users’ preferences keep them from matching with others from beautifully diverse backgrounds. In fact, the cofounder of OkCupid , Christian Ruddersuggested in his book, Dataclysm , that race has no bearing on compatibility, rather, opinions about race have the ability to make or break matches. The answer, as our research shows, is all of the above.

Read More: How Rizz Assistants and AI Matchmakers Are Transforming Dating

As a sociologist who studies race, gender, technology, and popular culture, I have interviewed over 100 people about their experiences with online dating, with approximately 75% identifying as people of color. Many shared that swiping and chatting left them unfulfilled, lonely, and often, healing from trauma—racial trauma. I, alongside fellow researchers from the University of Michigan’s Departments of Psychology and Communication, conducted an additional study that, among other things, asks why online dating as a person of color is so fraught. Preliminary findings suggest that people suspect algorithms used in dating apps are a major reason why. One interviewee, Grace (her name has been changed to maintain privacy) shared, “When I first jumped on there, they did try to connect [me with] people who look like me.” Grace was onto something. 

The idea that physical similarity is necessary for an ideal match is rooted in centuries of anti-interracial mingling ideology that can be traced as far back as 1661 in Virginia . Laws banning interracial marriage carried a fine of 10,000 pounds of tobacco . White women who had mixed race children had to either pay a fine or submit to indentured servitude for five years while their offspring were committed to 30 years. These heavy penalties demonstrate how deeply invested early Americans were in maintaining racial purity; a legal enforcement that prevailed until 1967, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that such laws violated the 14 th  Amendment rights to due process and equal protection under the law. But history has demonstrated numerous times, the ending of a legal practice does not swiftly coincide with social acceptance of that practice.

Politely coded as  personal preference  for some, ideas about intimate racial mixing are one of our last hushed taboos. Most don’t mind mixed-race coupling,  as long as it does not occur in their own families . Though, as a collective, we may appear to move away from the reality of racial injustice associated with prohibiting interracial marriage, the discourse of racial purity is an ever-present tenor in  American politics  and in our technologies. 

Match Group, the parent company to Tinder, OkCupid, and Hinge has filed a series of patents suggesting that the relevance algorithms powering their dating apps select on hair color, eye color, and ethnicity. A deep dive into Match Group’s patent , which outlines the mechanics of their matching and sorting systems, supports the belief that many people have: The algorithms try to connect daters with people who look like them. The patent states quite plainly that “people having similar and/or compatible character traits and values should be matched.” Match Group’s patent also indicates that a “relevance algorithm” may use signals to evaluate similarity between daters. These signals could also include characteristics such as “heigh, weight, age, location, income, and ethnicity.” Where did Match Group get the idea that shared physical traits equate to similar values and character traits? From us.

The dating industry is an extension of traditional matchmaking. Matchmakers are skilled at reading the cultures in which they work. Online dating companies use algorithms to make predictions about individuals supported by an adept knowledge of global cultural flows and trending idiosyncrasies. They treat physical traits as proxies for cultural ideology and symbolism because we do. The apps use algorithms that amplify preferences for particular body types, racial presentations, or height because we speak this way on the internet and with our closest friends.

Most people are not public about their racial preferences in partners. In fact, we have a secret language for talking about racialized beliefs about attraction and intimacy: we talk about “type.” Everyone has a type: a mix of physical, emotional, and political characteristics that generate some resonance for each individual. We may think of some of these aspects as a subjective matter of personal preference. But the truth is, perceptions of an ideal type are largely shaped by cultural signifiers and beliefs about race do a lot of work to hone those preferences. Our parents, religious beliefs, schools, and socioeconomic standing all play a part in shaping who we find attractive and desirable. For example, evidence suggests that  conservatives prefer thin white blondes , perhaps because this type of woman signals a  performance of class and race  that is a useful currency in some conservative circles.

This outdated superficial matching, based on physical similarity, may work for some, but it misses the mark for many daters who are seeking to connect with others around shared values such as  approaches to health and safety during a pandemic  or  alignment on climate change  . Why? Perhaps the online dating industry has read the culture so well that they know our secret. We purport to be liberally minded daters who prioritize our values above all else. Yet, the hushed taboo of sexual racism, defined as personal racialized reasoning in sexual, intimate, and/or romantic partner choice or interest, connotes a set of beliefs, practices, and behaviors that provide commentary on what is considered socially acceptable desirability. Sexual racism presents a barrier to meaningful connections when we can’t see past stereotypes about groups of people.

If we think of the dating industry as a mirror of social truth, quietly reflecting sexual racism, online dating companies’ outdated approach to a socially stratified society is unsurprising. The ideas which shape and drive online dating culture, and the tech industry at large, come from a society that routinely fails to deal with social inequity at both systemic and individual levels.

We construct belief systems about values, norms, and standards which pervade algorithmic design but technologists and ethicists have repeatedly demonstrated how the tech industry struggles to untangle design and innovation from America’s racially unjust reality:  large language models fail to address racism in their data ,  recidivism algorithms incorrectly identify black defendants as future criminals , and  algorithms used in healthcare  can lead physicians to misdiagnose patients because their systems rely on dated racially biased data. Where dating apps are concerned, industries and governments have historically invested in promoting partnerships of racial sameness—an ethos that in some circles, still quietly lingers on. 

If dating apps continue to follow the tech industry’s trend of building algorithms that accept and amplify outdated forms of social injustice, they will fail their burgeoning and diverse user base . Not because these users are more diverse and cosmopolitan than those before, but because the online dating industry shapes popular cultural ethos about dating, hookups, and relationships. The behaviors that are established in the privacy of our devices seep into real world discourse on acceptable first date behavior, income thresholds, gender roles, height preferences, and so on.

The problem is that some of us don’t desire superficial similarity. Some of us do strive for deep bonds that transcend social ideals about race, body type, and upbringing. The apps, the algorithms, and the culture they reflect make it incredibly difficult to be an outlier in today’s dating culture. Dating companies should design for this growing margin of users in service of a better experience for their entire user base , and frankly, for the sake of our culture.

Currently, dating apps’ algorithms are working for the status quo. These racially biased algorithms work to successfully match the mainstream user with normative tastes. When we operate in the unexamined frame of normative desirability, our swiping behavior sends feedback to the apps, suggesting that we like this limited frame they’ve established. More important, when we refuse to examine our own prejudices, we may miss the perfect match. If we want to change racially biased algorithms in dating apps, we must first change our own racially coded evaluation systems.

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Key findings about online dating in the U.S.

Online dating in the United States has evolved over the past several decades into a booming industry , transforming the way some people meet matches . A new report from Pew Research Center explores the upsides and downsides of online dating by highlighting Americans’ experiences and views about it. Here are 12 key takeaways.

Pew Research Center conducted this study to understand Americans’ experiences with dating sites and apps and their views of online dating generally. This analysis is based on a survey conducted among 6,034 U.S. adults from July 5-17, 2022. This included 4,996 respondents from the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. It also included an oversample of 1,038 respondents from Ipsos’ KnowledgePanel who indicated that they are lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB), with oversampled groups weighted back to reflect proportions in the population. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the ATP’s methodology .

Here are the questions used for this analysis, along with responses, and its methodology .

Terminology

• Online dating users refers to the 30% of Americans who answered yes to the following question: “Have you ever used an online dating site or dating app?”
• Current or recent online dating users refers to the 9% of adults who had used a dating site or app in the past year as of the July survey.
• Partnered refers to the 69% of U.S. adults who describe themselves as married, living with a partner, or in a committed romantic relationship.
• LGB refers to those who are lesbian, gay or bisexual. These groups are combined because of small sample sizes. Additionally, since this research is focused on sexual orientation, not gender identity, and due to the fact that the transgender population in the U.S. is very small, transgender respondents are not identified separately. Read the report for more details.

A note about the Asian adult sample

This survey includes a total sample size of 234 Asian adults. The sample primarily includes English-speaking Asian adults and therefore may not be representative of the overall Asian adult population. Despite this limitation, it is important to report the views of Asian adults on the topics in this study. As always, Asian adults’ responses are incorporated into the general population figures throughout this report. Asian adults are shown as a separate group when the question was asked of the full sample. Because of the relatively small sample size and a reduction in precision due to weighting, results are not shown separately for Asian adults for questions that were only asked of online dating users or other filtered questions. We are also not able to analyze Asian adults by demographic categories, such as gender, age or education.

Three-in-ten U.S. adults say they have ever used a dating site or app, identical to the share who said this in 2019 . That includes 9% who report doing so in the past year, according to the Center’s survey of 6,034 adults conducted July 5-17, 2022.

Online dating is more common among younger adults than among older people. About half of those under 30 (53%) report having ever used a dating site or app, compared with 37% of those ages 30 to 49, 20% of those 50 to 64 and 13% of those 65 and older.

When looking at sexual orientation, lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) adults are more likely than their straight counterparts to say they have ever used a dating site or app (51% vs. 28%).

Men are somewhat more likely than women to have tried online dating (34% vs. 27%), as are those with at least some college education when compared with those with a high school education or less.

Adults who have never been married are much more likely than married adults to report having used online dating sites or apps (52% vs. 16%). Adults who are currently living with a partner (46%) or who are divorced, separated or widowed (36%) are also more likely to have tried online dating than married adults.

There are no statistically significant differences in the shares of adults who report ever using an online dating platform by race or ethnicity: Similar shares of White, Black, Hispanic and Asian adults report ever having done so.

Tinder tops the list of dating sites or apps the survey studied and is particularly popular among adults under 30. Some 46% of online dating users say they have ever used Tinder, followed by about three-in-ten who have used Match (31%) or Bumble (28%). OkCupid, eharmony and Hinge are each used by about a fifth of online dating users. Grindr and HER are used by very few online dating users overall (6% and 3%, respectively) but are more widely used by LGB adults than straight adults. Additionally, 31% of online dating users mention having tried some other online dating platform not asked about directly in this survey. (Read the topline  for a list of the most common other dating sites and apps users mentioned.)

Tinder use is far more common among younger adults than among older Americans: 79% of online dating users under 30 say they have used the platform, compared with 44% of users ages 30 to 49, 17% of users 50 to 64 and just 1% of those 65 and older. Tinder is the top online dating platform among users under 50. By contrast, users 50 and older are about five times more likely to use Match than Tinder (50% vs. 11%).

One-in-ten partnered adults – meaning those who are married, living with a partner or in a committed romantic relationship – met their current significant other through a dating site or app. Partnered adults who are under 30 or who are LGB stand out from other groups when looking at this measure of online dating “success”: One-in-five partnered adults under 30 say they met their current spouse or partner on a dating site or app, as do about a quarter of partnered LGB adults (24%).

Online dating users are somewhat divided over whether their experiences on these platforms have been positive or negative. Among those who have ever used a dating site or app, slightly more say their personal experiences have been very or somewhat positive than say they have been very or somewhat negative (53% vs. 46%).

Some demographic groups are more likely to report positive experiences. For example, 57% of men who have dated online say their experiences have been positive, while women users are roughly split down the middle (48% positive, 51% negative). In addition, LGB users of these platforms are more likely than straight users to report positive experiences (61% vs. 53%).

Roughly a third of online dating users (35%) say they have ever paid to use one of these platforms – including for extra features – but this varies by income, age and gender. Some 45% of online dating users with upper incomes report having paid to use a dating site or app, compared with 36% of users with middle incomes and 28% of those with lower incomes. Similarly, 41% of users 30 and older say they have paid to use these platforms, compared with 22% of those under 30. Men who have dated online are more likely than women to report having paid for these sites and apps (41% vs. 29%).

Those who have ever paid to use dating sites or apps report more positive experiences than those who have never paid. Around six-in-ten paid users (58%) say their personal experiences with dating sites or apps have been positive; half of users who have never paid say this.

Women who have used online dating platforms in the past year are more likely to feel overwhelmed by the number of messages they get, while men are more likely to feel insecure about a lack of messages. Among current or recent online dating users, 54% of women say they have felt overwhelmed by the number of messages they received on dating sites or apps in the past year, while just a quarter of men say the same. By contrast, 64% of men say they have felt insecure because of the lack of messages they received, while four-in-ten women say the same.

Overall, 55% of adults who have used a dating app or site in the past year say they often or sometimes felt insecure about the number of messages they received, while 36% say they often or sometimes felt overwhelmed.

Among recent online daters, large majorities of men and women say they have often or sometimes felt excited by the people they have seen while using these platforms, though large majorities also say they have often or sometimes felt disappointed.

When asked why they’ve turned to dating sites or apps in the past year, 44% of users say a major reason was to meet a long-term partner and 40% say a major reason was to date casually. Smaller shares say a major reason was to have casual sex (24%) or make new friends (22%).

Men who have used a dating platform in the past year are much more likely than women to say casual sex was a major reason (31% vs. 13%). There are no statistically significant gender differences on the other three reasons asked about in the survey.

About four-in-ten U.S. adults overall (42%) say online dating has made the search for a long-term partner easier. Far fewer (22%) say it has made the search for a long-term partner or spouse harder. About a third (32%) say it has made no difference.

Adults under 30 are less convinced than their older counterparts that online dating has made the search for a partner easier. These younger adults are about evenly divided in their views, with 35% of those ages 18 to 29 saying it has made the search easier and 33% saying it has made the search harder.

When it comes to the choices people have on dating sites and apps, 43% of adults overall say people have the right amount of options for dating on these platforms, while 37% think choices are too plentiful. Fewer (13%) say there are not enough options.

Most U.S. adults are skeptical or unsure that dating algorithms can predict love. About one-in-five adults (21%) think that the types of computer programs that dating sites and apps use could determine whether two people will eventually fall in love. But greater shares of Americans either say these programs could not do this (35%) or are unsure (43%).

Americans are split on whether online dating is a safe way to meet people, and a majority support requiring background checks before someone can create a profile. The share of U.S. adults who say online dating is generally a very or somewhat safe way to meet people has dipped slightly since 2019, from 53% to 48%. Women are more likely than men to say online dating is not too or not at all safe.

There are also differences by age: 62% of Americans ages 65 and older say online dating is not safe, compared with 53% of those 50 to 64 and 42% of adults younger than 50. Those who have never used a dating site or app are particularly likely to think it is unsafe: 57% say this, compared with 32% of those who have used an online dating site or app.

At the same time, six-in-ten Americans say companies should require background checks before someone creates a dating profile, while 15% say they should not and 24% are not sure. Women are more likely than men to say these checks should be required, as are adults 50 and older compared with younger adults.

These checks do not have majority support among online dating users themselves, however: 47% of users say companies should require background checks, versus 65% of those who have never used a dating site or app.

Younger women who have used dating sites or apps stand out for experiencing unwanted behaviors on these platforms. A majority of women under 50 who have used dating sites or apps (56%) say they have been sent a sexually explicit message or image they didn’t ask for, and about four-in-ten have had someone continue to contact them after they said they were not interested (43%) or have been called an offensive name (37%). Roughly one-in-ten of this group (11%) have received threats of physical harm. Each of these experiences is less common among women online dating users ages 50 and older, as well as among men of any age.

Among all online dating users, 38% have ever received unsolicited sexually explicit messages or images while using a dating site or app; 30% have experienced continued unwanted contact; 24% have been called an offensive name; and 6% have been threatened with physical harm.

About half of those who have used dating sites and apps (52%) say they have come across someone they think was trying to scam them. Men under 50 are particularly likely to say they have had this experience: 63% of men in this age group who have used dating sites or apps think they have encountered a scammer on them. Smaller shares of men ages 50 and older (47%) and women of any age (44%) say the same.

Note: Here are the questions used for this analysis, along with responses, and its methodology .

• Online Dating
• Romance & Dating

Emily A. Vogels is a former research associate focusing on internet and technology at Pew Research Center .

Colleen McClain is a senior researcher focusing on internet and technology research at Pew Research Center .

For Valentine’s Day, facts about marriage and dating in the U.S.

Dating at 50 and up: older americans’ experiences with online dating, about half of lesbian, gay and bisexual adults have used online dating, about half of never-married americans have used an online dating site or app, from looking for love to swiping the field: online dating in the u.s., most popular.

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Online Dating: A Critical Analysis From the Perspective of Psychological Science

Read the Full Text

Although the authors find that online dating sites offer a distinctly different experience than conventional dating, the superiority of these sites is not as evident. Dating sites provide access to more potential partners than do traditional dating methods, but the act of browsing and comparing large numbers of profiles can lead individuals to commoditize potential partners and can reduce their willingness to commit to any one person. Communicating online can foster intimacy and affection between strangers, but it can also lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment when potential partners meet in real life. Although many dating sites tout the superiority of partner matching through the use of “scientific algorithms,” the authors find that there is little evidence that these algorithms can predict whether people are good matches or will have chemistry with one another.

The authors’ overarching assessment of online dating sites is that scientifically, they just don’t measure up. As online dating matures, however, it is likely that more and more people will avail themselves of these services, and if development — and use — of these sites is guided by rigorous psychological science, they may become a more promising way for people to meet their perfect partners.

Hear author Eli J. Finkel discuss the science behind online dating at the 24th APS Annual Convention .

About the Authors

Editorial: Online Dating:  The Current Status —and Beyond

By Arthur Aron

I agree wholeheartedly that so-called scientific dating sites are totally off-base. They make worse matches than just using a random site. That’s because their matching criteria are hardly scientific, as far as romance goes. They also have a very small pool of educated, older men, and lots more women. Therefore they often come up with no matches at all, despite the fact that women with many different personality types in that age group have joined. They are an expensive rip-off for many women over 45.

Speaking as someone who was recently “commoditized” by who I thought was a wonderful man I met on a dating site, I find that the types of people who use these services are looking at the wrong metrics when they seek out a prospective love interest. My mother and father had very few hobbies and interests in common, but because they shared the same core values, their love endured a lifetime. When I got dumped because I didn’t share my S.O.’s interests exactly down the line, I realized how dangerous this line of thinking truly is, how it marginalizes people who really want to give and receive love for more important reasons.

I met a few potential love interests online and I never paid for any matching service! I did my own research on people and chatted online within a site to see if we had things in common. If we had a few things in common, we exchanged numbers, texted for a while, eventually spoke on the phone and if things felt right, we’d meet in a public place to talk. If that went well, we would have another date. I am currently with a man I met online and we have been together for two years! We have plans to marry in the future. But there is always the thought that if this doesn’t work out, how long will it take either of us to jump right back online to find the next possible love connection? I myself would probably start looking right away since looking for love online is a lengthy process!

I knew this man 40 years ago as we worked in the same agency for two years but never dated. Last November 2013 I saw his profile on a dating site. My husband had died four years ago and his wife died 11 years ago. We dated for five months. I questioned him about his continued online search as I had access to his username. Five months into the friendship he told me he “Was looking for his dream women in cyberspace”. I think he has been on these dating sites for over 5 years. Needless to say I will not tolerate this and it was over. I am sad, frustrated and angry how this ended as underneath all of his insecurities, unresolved issues with his wife’s death he is a good guy. I had been on these dating sties for 2 and 1/2 years and now I am looking at Matchmaking services as a better choice in finding a “Better good guy”.

I refer to these sites as “Designer Dating” sites. I liken the search process to ‘Window Shopping’. No-one seems very interested in making an actual purchase or commitment. I notice that all the previous comments are from women only. I agree with the article that says essentially, there are too many profiles and photos. Having fallen under this spell myself…”Oh, he’s nice but I’m sure there’s something better on the next page…” Click. Next. And on it goes. The term Chemistry gets thrown around a lot. I don’t know folks. I sure ain’t feelin’ it. Think I’ll go hang out with some friends now.

Stumbling upon this article during research for my Master thesis and I am curious: Would you use an app, that introduces a new way of dating, solely based on your voice and who you are, rather than how you look like? To me, we don’t fall in love with someone because of their looks (or their body mass index for that matter) or because of an algorithm, but because of the way somebody makes you feel and the way s.o. makes you laugh. At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter if someone has blue or brown eyes and my experience is, that most people place fake, manipulated or outdated pictures online to sell someone we don’t really are. And we are definitely more than our looks. I found my partner online and we had no picture of each other for three months – but we talked every night for hours…. fell in love and still are after 10 years… We met on a different level and got aligned long before we met. So, the question is, would you give this way of meeting someone a chance… an app where you can listen in to answers people give to questions other user asked before and where you can get a feeling for somebody before you even see them?

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To the Editor:

Re “ It’s Not You: Dating Apps Are Getting Worse ,” by Magdalene J. Taylor (Opinion guest essay, nytimes.com, March 16):

With more people on online dating platforms than ever, we have entered a new era rife with hot takes and opinions based on a narrow set of experiences. Recent surveys say that dating apps are the No. 1 way people meet today, and nearly 70 percent of individuals who met someone on a dating app said it led to a romantic, exclusive relationship.

I am not here to question individual experiences, or pretend that every date will lead to success. Matching two people is an imperfect science and rests on shared interests, complex personalities, timing and more. It’s an age-old axiom for a reason: You have to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince or princess.

But lately, we’ve been building to an environment where critiques of apps are presented as a monolith and pessimism over a bad date is taken to signal the end to a generation’s romantic future. There’s this false notion suggesting that dating apps don’t work. The numbers tell us that broadly speaking and for more people than ever: They work.

Bernard Kim Los Angeles The writer is chief executive officer of Match Group.

Re “ With Lackluster Growth, Dating Apps Are in Need of a Spark ” (front page, March 13):

There was a time when finding a partner was an adventure that played out in public spaces: the park while walking your dog, the bar while calming down from a hectic week, the art class that opened you up to new experiences and people.

Now apps let you sit on your sofa in your slippers and shop, viewing only what the app reveals. Are they kind? Would their smile make you look twice?

We used to live somewhere, interact with people we found there who had our approach to life — and would actually move if we found no synergy (why live somewhere that is like that?). These were all actions that led to personal connections.

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124 Online Dating Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Online dating has become increasingly popular in the digital age, with millions of people turning to the internet to find love and companionship. With the rise of dating apps and websites, the world of online dating has opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for singles looking to connect with others.

If you're considering writing an essay on online dating, here are 124 topic ideas and examples to get you started:

• The pros and cons of online dating
• How online dating has changed the way we meet and connect with others
• The impact of online dating on traditional dating practices
• The role of technology in shaping modern relationships
• The psychology of online dating: why do people turn to the internet to find love?
• The dangers of online dating: how to stay safe while looking for love online
• The stigma of online dating: is it still taboo?
• The rise of niche dating sites: catering to specific interests and preferences
• The science of online dating: how algorithms and data analysis are revolutionizing the matchmaking process
• The future of online dating: what trends can we expect to see in the coming years?
• Online dating versus traditional dating: which is more effective?
• The impact of social media on online dating
• The economics of online dating: how much does it really cost to find love online?
• The role of gender in online dating: do men and women approach online dating differently?
• The influence of culture and ethnicity on online dating preferences
• The psychology of attraction in online dating: what makes someone swipe right?
• The role of photos in online dating profiles: do looks really matter?
• The rise of ghosting in online dating: why do people disappear without a trace?
• The impact of online dating on mental health and self-esteem
• The phenomenon of catfishing in online dating: how to spot a fake profile
• The role of communication in online dating: how to keep the conversation flowing
• The dos and don'ts of online dating: tips for success in the digital dating world
• The impact of online dating on long-distance relationships
• The influence of age on online dating preferences
• The role of education and income in online dating choices
• The influence of religion on online dating practices
• The impact of physical appearance on online dating success
• The role of humor in online dating profiles
• The influence of hobbies and interests on online dating compatibility
• The impact of online dating on marriage and divorce rates
• The rise of virtual dating during the COVID-19 pandemic
• The impact of online dating on LGBTQ+ relationships
• The influence of social status on online dating choices
• The role of personality tests in online dating
• The impact of online dating on hookup culture
• The influence of peer pressure on online dating choices
• The role of family and friends in online dating success
• The impact of online dating on traditional gender roles
• The influence of ageism in online dating
• The rise of sugar daddy and sugar baby relationships in online dating
• The impact of body image on online dating success
• The role of honesty and transparency in online dating profiles
• The influence of technology addiction on online dating behavior
• The impact of online dating on societal norms and values
• The rise of online dating scams: how to protect yourself from fraud
• The influence of astrology and horoscopes on online dating compatibility
• The role of race and ethnicity in online dating preferences
• The impact of social class on online dating choices
• The influence of language and communication barriers in online dating
• The rise of virtual reality dating experiences in the online dating world
• The impact of online dating on mental health and well-being
• The role of trust and intimacy in online dating relationships
• The influence of physical proximity on online dating success
• The impact of past relationships on online dating behavior
• The role of vulnerability and authenticity in online dating profiles
• The influence of social media influencers on online dating trends
• The rise of polyamory and open relationships in online dating
• The impact of cultural differences on online dating compatibility
• The role of attachment styles in online dating behavior
• The influence of societal pressure on online dating choices
• The impact of age gaps in online dating relationships
• The rise of virtual speed dating events in the online dating world
• The influence of travel and adventure on online dating preferences
• The role of spirituality and mindfulness in online dating success
• The impact of socioeconomic status on online dating behavior
• The influence of body positivity and self-love in online dating profiles
• The rise of virtual reality dating apps in the online dating market
• The impact of online dating on sexual health and consent
• The role of consent and boundaries in online dating interactions
• The influence of attachment styles on online dating compatibility
• The impact of cultural norms and values on online dating behavior
• The role of communication styles in online dating success
• The influence of introversion and extroversion on online dating preferences
• The rise of ethical non-monogamy in online dating
• The impact of distance and time zones on online dating relationships
• The role of emotional intelligence in online dating interactions
• The influence of self-esteem and self-worth on online dating behavior
• The impact of mental health struggles on online dating experiences
• The rise of video dating in the online dating world
• The role of mutual interests and hobbies in online dating compatibility
• The influence of political beliefs on online dating choices
• The impact of online dating on hookup culture and casual relationships

With so many potential topics to choose from, writing an essay on online dating can provide valuable insights into the changing landscape of modern relationships. Whether you're exploring the psychological aspects of online dating or analyzing the impact of technology on romantic connections, there's no shortage of ideas to explore in this fascinating field. So grab your keyboard and start exploring the world of online dating through the lens of your chosen topic ''' you never know what you might discover along the way.

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Online Dating Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best online dating topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good essay topics on online dating, 📌 simple & easy online dating essay titles.

• Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Dating Essay Advantages Unlike offline dating, online dating allows the user to interact with millions of people without having to travel. Similarly, with the use of online dating some people have been able to lie about their […]
• Dating Online as a Part of Human Life The technological advancement of internet has made cyber sex to be on the rise. The best they can do is to exchange their feeling where some of them might be flirting and using internet to […]
• An Online Dating Service for College Students: Biff Targets Marketing The issue that has to be answered in the case is what the college students, as target customers for online dating service, ideadlly would like to be offered.
• The Pitfalls of Online Dating These include the very real potential for deceit, interpersonal elements of physical attraction are absent in the online world and the time involved in interfacing with the computer reduces the ability of the individual to […]
• Online Dating for Aging Adults Considering the benefactors of the relationships that aging people develop through dating sites and applications also helps to determine the actual value of the tools in question.
• Online Dating: An Advocacy Campaign The proposed advocacy campaign is designed with the purpose of protecting people from the illegal conduct of those who use online dating websites to deceive others.
• Online Dating Start-Up Business Plan Due to this, a large number of online dating project has emerged in recent years, and the level of competition has increased as well.
• Relationships and Online Dating The creation of online dating sites and applications was most likely intended to eliminate these issues and make the process of finding new partners easy and stress-free.
• Assessing and Quantifying Local Network Effects in an Online Dating Market
• Choosing the Right Online Dating Site
• Better Results With Online Dating in the Digital Age
• Can Online Dating Replace Meeting a Person
• Comparison Between Online Dating and Traditional Dating
• Definition, Advantages, and Disadvantages of Online Dating
• Education and Income Attraction: An Online Dating Field Experiment
• Exploring the Benefits and Risks of Online Dating
• Has the Emergence of Online Dating Changed the Dynamic of Relationships
• How Matches Are Made in Online Dating Sites
• Getting the Most Out of Online Dating
• How Online Dating Has Altered the Process of Relationships
• Online Dating: Advantages and Disadvantages
• How Online Dating Services Make It Easy to Date and Hookup
• Individual and Social Societal Dimensions of Online Dating
• Conventional Dating Versus Online Dating
• The Good and Bad Effects of Online Dating
• Online Dating and Its Effect on Society
• The Online Dating Market: Theoretical and Methodological Considerations
• Online Dating Has Made Connecting With People Easier and More Accessible
• The Truth About Lying in Online Dating Profiles
• Online Dating Mistakes Men Make That Put Women Off
• Influence of Compatibility by Percentages and Initial Attraction on Online Dating Websites
• Online Dating Scams and Identity Theft
• A Discussion on the Negative Aspects of Online Dating
• Online Dating Tips for Single Parents
• A Discussion on the 21ST Century Trend of Online Dating
• Online Dating and Its Effects on the Internet Dating World
• The Evolution of Courting Through Online Dating
• Online Dating as the Future of Finding Relationships
• The Principles of Online Dating and the Issues That Comes With It
• The Aspects of Online Dating and Mate Preferences
• The Concept and People’s Expectations From Online Dating
• How Online Dating Is Threatening Monogamy
• The Role of Uncertainty Reduction Theory in Online Dating
• Discussion of Whether Online Dating Is Safe and Productive
• Meeting Others Through Online Dating Services
• Hunting for Love Through Online Dating
• The Rising Popularity of Online Dating: Key Elements
• Things to Remember When Participating in Online Dating
• Social Norms Essay Ideas
• Relationship Research Ideas
• Twitter Topics
• Cyberspace Topics
• Data Mining Titles
• Identity Theft Essay Ideas
• Virtual Reality Topics
• Family Problems Questions
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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How to be better at online dating, according to psychology

If online dating feels like an unsolvable puzzle in the search for “the one” (or whoever you’re looking for), you’re not alone.

Pew Research Center data has found that even though the number of people using online dating services is growing and the percentage of people who think it’s a good way of meeting people is growing — more than a third of the people who report being an online dater haven’t actually gone out with someone they’ve met online.

Online dating isn’t for the faint of heart or those easily discouraged, says Harry Reis, PhD , Professor of Psychology and Dean's Professor in Arts, Sciences, and Engineering, at University of Rochester. “There’s the old saying that you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince — and I think that really applies to online dating.”

Reis studies social interactions and the factors that influence the quantity and closeness of our relationships. He coauthored a 2012 review article that analyzed how psychology can explain some of the online dating dynamics.

There’s the old saying that you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince — and I think that really applies to online dating.

Meeting someone online is fundamentally different than meeting someone IRL

In some ways online dating is a different ballgame from meeting someone in real life — and in some ways it’s not. (Reis points out that “online dating” is actually somewhat of a misnomer. We use the term to mean “online meeting,” whether it’s through a dating website or a dating app.)

“You typically have information about them before you actually meet,” Reis says about people you meet online. You may have read a short profile or you may have had fairly extensive conversations via text or email.

And similarly, when you meet someone offline, you may know a lot of information about that person ahead of time (such as when you get set up by a friend) or you may know very little (if, let’s say, you go out with someone you met briefly at a bar).

“The idea behind online dating is not a novel idea,” says Lara Hallam, a researcher in the Department of Communication Studies at University of Antwerp, where she’s working on her PhD in relationship studies. (Her research currently focuses on online dating, including a study that found that age was the only reliable predictor of what made online daters more likely to actually meet up.)

“People have always used intermediaries such as mothers, friends, priests, or tribe members, to find a suitable partner,” Hallam says. Where online dating differs from methods that go farther back are the layers of anonymity involved.

If you meet someone via a friend or family member, just having that third-party connection is a way of helping validate certain characteristics about someone (physical appearance, values, personality traits, and so on).

A friend may not necessarily get it right, but they’re still setting you up with someone they think you’ll like, Hallam says. “Online daters remain online strangers up until the moment they decide to meet offline.”

Do It BETTER How to use dating apps after 40

When it comes to relationships, some things do need to be done the old-fashioned way.

And there are certain things about a person and a potential partner that you just can’t find out from a profile or chatting online, Reis adds: Do you communicate well? Do you make one another laugh? Do you enjoy one another’s company? Do you feel like you’re a better person when you’re with the other person?

“Those things that really matter when it comes to making a relationship work are simply not available in a profile,” Reis says. (Study after psychological study support that those types of principles are important in relationships , and are predictors of relationship success, he notes.)

Online dating is a way to open doors to meet and date people, Reis says. And one thing the apps and sites have going for them is that ability to simply help you meet more people.

So, what’s the best way to use dating sites and apps to actually meet more people?

While there are limited clinical studies that have specifically analyzed online dating outcomes, there’s decades of research on why relationships work out and what drives people together in the first place.

“Most of what we can say about online dating from research is really more extrapolating from other kinds of studies,” Reis says.

Sameer Chaudhry, MD, an internist at the University of North Texas in Dallas, coauthored a 2015 BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine paper for which he and his coauthor considered nearly 4,000 studies across psychology, sociology, neurocognitive science, and other disciplines to come up with a series of guidelines for how to set up a profile, how to select matches, and how to approach online interactions.

Setting up a dating profile a certain way is by no means a guarantee for meeting the love of your life. But Chaudhry’s findings do offer some pointers on how to share information about yourself and how decide who to take a chance on. “There are small subtleties that can help,” he says.

Here are a few tips:

1. Pick your apps wisely

Online dating isn’t one of those see-all-of-your-options-and-then-make-a-decision games. Be selective. Some apps have a reputation for being hookup apps; others are designed to connect users of the same religion or some other shared hobby or attribute. “Use apps according to your partner preferences,” Hallam says.

2. Be honest

Research shows that people tend to fall for people similar to themselves when it comes to things like relationship history, desire for children, pet preferences, and religion. Being honest about what you want and who you are makes it more likely that the people you end up talking to and meeting are people things might work out with, Hallam says.

“This is an opportunity to be clear about who you are and who you want to meet,” adds Keely Kolmes, PsyD , a San Francisco- and Oakland-based psychologist — and if you have a “deal breaker” issue, mentioning it upfront can safe a lot of time and effort.

3. Choose a photo that puts your best foot forward (or at least the one you want to show off)

Photos should accurately depict your physical appearance — but they should be photos you generally like, Hallam says.

Having never met this person before, photos can have a big bearing on likeability and someone’s initial attitude toward you, Chaudhry says. Specific attributes that generally increase attractiveness and likeability, according to his research, were: a genuine smile (one that makes your eyes start to crinkle up) and a slight head tilt.

4. Get to the point — and DO include what makes you interesting in your profile

Nobody’s going to read a six-paragraph essay, Reis says. People swipe through profiles quickly. State things that are really important to you and be done with it.

DO include what’s distinctive about you. People tend to be interested in interesting people. And DO include what you’re looking for in a potential match, Chaudhry says — an ideal balance is 70 percent about you, and 30 percent about the person you’re looking for, according to his research.

5. Be open minded

Just because someone isn’t a runner or has a hobby you’re not so sure about, don’t give up on them, Reis says. “Try to be as open minded as possible to the idea that you could actually grow in new ways from someone you might meet online.”

(Remember that personal growth is one of those hallmarks that tends to make long-term relationships work.)

6. Keep conversations (somewhat) short and non-generic

There are certain aspects of a relationship you’re never going to be able to gather from online interactions alone, Reis says. He suggests not drawing out the pre-face-to-face meeting for too long.

Chaudhry says his research suggests keeping online, pre-meeting exchanges to two weeks or shorter. And actually make an effort to get to know someone. Ask about a specific part of someone’s profile or about likes and dislikes, Chaudhry says.

7. Have fun

“Using dating apps should be fun,” Kolmes says. It shouldn’t feel like work.

Kolmes suggests checking in with yourself regularly. “If it’s feeling like a chore, you’re not enjoying yourself, or you are feeling bad about yourself, then take a break and try something else.”

Don't miss: Got swiping fatigue? 'Slow dating' is for busy people who want real connections

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• Why people have fallen out of love with dating apps

Tinder and Bumble are struggling as singles refuse to pay up

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W hen Tinder , a mobile dating app, launched on college campuses in America in 2012, it quickly became a hit. Although online dating had been around since Match.com, a website for lonely hearts, launched in 1995, it had long struggled to shed an image of desperation. But Tinder, by letting users sift through photos of countless potential dates with a simple swipe, made it easy and fun.

Soon Tinder and its rivals had transformed courtship. A report published last year by the Pew Research Centre found that 30% of American adults had used an online dating service, including more than half of those aged between 18 and 29. One in five couples of that age had met through such a service. Usage surged during the pandemic, as lonely locked-down singles sought out partners. The market capitalisation of Bumble, a rival to Tinder, surged to $13bn on its first day of trading in February 2021. Later that year the value of Match Group, which owns Tinder, Hinge and scores of other dating services, reached nearly $50bn. Today roughly 350m people around the world have a dating app on their phone, up from 250m in 2018, according to Business of Apps, a research firm. In June Tokyo’s government even said it would launch a matchmaking app of its own to pair up singles in the city.

Yet lately online dating has lost its spark. The apps were downloaded 237m times globally last year, down from 287m in 2020. According to Sensor Tower, another research firm, the number of people who use them at least once a month has dwindled from 154m in 2021 to 137m in the second quarter of this year (see chart 1). On August 7th Bumble reported revenue growth of just 3%, year on year, in the quarter from April to June, and lowered its forecast for the full year to 1-2%. Its shares plunged by a third in after-hours trading. On July 30th Match Group reported that its revenue for the same quarter grew by only 4%. Both companies’ market values have cratered since Bumble’s listing (see chart 2). That reflects users’ increasing disillusionment with dating apps, decreasing willingness to pay for them—and growing interest in offline alternatives.

Start with the disillusionment. Apps that once felt fun have, for many, become wellsprings of frustration. The network effects that initially propelled services such as Tinder, in which a widening choice of partners lured in ever more users, have now made them exasperating. Users grumble about spending hours sorting through tens of thousands of profiles. Half of women surveyed by Pew said they felt overwhelmed by the number of messages they received. It doesn’t help that 84% of Tinder users are men. So are 61% of those on Bumble, which is targeted at women. Many users also fret about scams.

Younger adults are growing especially weary of the apps. One survey commissioned last year by Axios, a news site, found that only a fifth of American college students were using them at least once a month. “It’s not fun, it’s so superficial and it’s also just like really exhausting,” laments one youthful influencer on TikTok, a short-video app. “I’m kind of over it,” sums up Wunmi Williams, a 27-year-old who, after years of swiping and matching, has been unable to find a partner through a dating app. In a sign of growing despair, the Marriage Pact, an annual event in which participants are matched with a “backup” spouse should their future romantic endeavours fail, has spread to 88 college campuses across America.

All this helps explain why dating-app developers are struggling to convince users to part with cash—the second reason for their lacklustre performance. In an effort to boost margins, dating apps have been peddling paid upgrades to supplement their lowly ad revenues. Hinge has a separate feed with popular profiles it thinks you might like, but demands that you hand over $3.99 for a “rose” before you can chat with them. Tinder’s paid plans range from $17.99 a month (which gives you unlimited swipes and lets you change your location) to a hefty $499 a month (which lets you see the most popular profiles on the app and message users you haven’t matched with).

Got the ick

Online dating may no longer look desperate, but users seem to worry that paying for it might. The share of people who are willing to spend money on dating apps has been falling. Tinder’s paid users have declined for seven consecutive quarters. Men are more likely to cough up, which may be worsening the feeling common among women of being bombarded by messages on the apps.

Perhaps the biggest threat to the future of dating apps, though, is the growing share of singles looking offline for love. Last year some began wearing an aqua-coloured ring, made by a startup called Pear, to show their openness to being wooed. Thursday, a company that organises in-person events for singles, has expanded its service to roughly 30 cities, from Stockholm to Sydney. Its app works only on Thursday, when the events are held.

The romance is not confined to bars. Running clubs have become a place for athletic types to meet. Cooking classes, too, have become a place to look for partners, says Julia Hartz, the boss of Eventbrite, a ticketing platform. Attendance at its singles events rose 42% between 2022 and 2023. “You are bonding with someone, you’re having an experience, even if they’re not the love of your life,” says Casey Lewis, a blogger on youth culture, of such events.

Dating apps are looking for ways to lure users back. Some are hoping to spice things up with artificial intelligence ( AI ). Whitney Wolfe Herd, Bumble’s founder, recently mused that the future of courtship could involve one person’s AI bot going on “dates” with another’s. One new app, Volar, has begun offering just that.

In time, society might be willing to leave matchmaking to machines—but it is hard to imagine the strategy paying off just yet. A more fruitful approach for dating apps may instead be to focus on narrower markets. Grindr, an app for gay men, continues to grow quickly. So does Feeld, which targets the polyamorous. In the past few years Match Group has launched apps targeted at gay men (Archer), single parents (Stir), ethnic minorities ( BLK , Chispa) and snobs (The League). Revenue from this portfolio of brands grew by 17%, year on year, in the second quarter of 2024.

In addition to offering a smaller pool of partners, such apps also serve as a community for like-minded people. Grindr, for example, acts as a travel guide for tourists looking for gay bars and a hub for information on HIV . The company says its average user sends 50 messages a day, about the same as for WhatsApp, a messaging service. Its success in that regard might explain why Lidiane Jones, the chief executive of Bumble, has said she wants her firm to be known as a “connections company, rather than a dating company”. Pulling off such a rebrand may prove tricky. But love has never been an easy business. ■

To stay on top of the biggest stories in business and technology, sign up to the Bottom Line , our weekly subscriber-only newsletter.

This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “Swiped out”

Business August 10th 2024

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Writing An Online Dating Essay

Academic writing

Essay paper writing

Before you start thinking of anything

The topic of dating has caused discussions throughout the past few decades. The forms of dating have been changing from year to year, and more possibilities were opened for the people to meet their new partners. And the biggest steps were taken in the past decade when we discovered that we could use our new friend, the Web, to meet people. All of that started with the social media. And then, the dating websites appeared. They brought a change in how we see relationships in the modern world. Online dating has influenced our society a lot. This issue has been discussed many times, but not everything has been covered yet. This is an opportunity for you to make a change by writing your essay. There are many essay ideas on online dating you can pick from — so make your decision wisely. Why choose online dating for an essay topic is not something that requires a lot of thoughts — writing about online dating will help others to know more about it and learn how to build a successful relationship not only online, but also in the real world. So go ahead and do it!

But first, it is crucial to think of something less important, as many are going to say, and these are (sentence reduction) the online dating essay titles. Many people consider this part of the text to be a useless waste of time, but actually, the title is something that people are looking at before the reading (sentence reduction). And if your text is difficult to read, then it is almost impossible to make a new reader interested in the essay you are writing. Therefore, in most of the cases, it is challenging to pay a lot of attention to the details, and the title is one of the most important ones. So, how to pick a good title for online dating essay? There are many different factors that you are going to look at when writing your essay about online dating, but the main one is the type of text. Yes, it might not seem like an aspect that you should care about, but generally, it is something that determines most of the ideas in your text. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to it and think of every step that you take choosing the type. So, what are the main ways of writing this type of text?

First of all, it is important to memorize that if the text is not scientific, it needs to have a short title. We have all seen a text which is simply impossible to start reading just because of its boring name. Even though the name does not always show what the story goes about, people are still going to judge the text by the title. Only after that, they are going to start reading your online dating essay outline. Also, you have to make sure that you are keeping an eye on the content of your title. Yes, that is a thing; you have to look at the title to be on the same topic as the next lines of text that you are going to write. There are some other things about the titles of the simple essay, but they are not that important. Instead, it is vital to explain how the research and other scientific papers are different from the regular texts.

The research paper on online dating will have to keep a different line, but you are going to see that the ways of creating these two title types are pretty much the same. However, we are going to start with one thing that makes these two types different and the aspect that makes the students suffer from the low assessment of their texts. The fact is that the scientific texts need to have enough information in them. Indeed, they should not be as long as your text, but at the same time, you will have to make sure that you include the point of your writing in the title. That will allow the reader of your dating essay to get a brief look at what they are going to find out from the text. This part is essential, but many authors still do not pay enough attention to it.

Other things to care about before writing

It seems like there are so many things to think of before writing. However, it is so important to do all of these steps before you are going to jump into text creation. And there are some other things that you will have to take care of before you start. It is essential to talk about the fact of being interrupted from the text during its writing. The starters always make such mistake. As you already should know, the more you get stopped while writing, the more mistakes you might make. In the best of the online dating essay examples, you will never find a place where the author completely changed the topic of the conversation, and the reason for that is the fact that they are doing everything as they cannot leave their workplace while writing the text. It might be difficult to understand, so it is important to show an example of how to make it easier for yourself. Many writers drink a hot drink during the text writing. Some of them drink soda and water. And getting a drink will surely cost you more than those two minutes of going to the kitchen. Most likely, you are going to forget the topic that you were discussing in one of your online dating essays, and in some of the cases, it will take almost half an hour to start writing at the pace you were doing this before the pause.

And the other thing that you are going to need for your text is the information. This is vital when writing an essay that requires you to have something educational or at the texts where you don’t have to express your point of view. Usually, those texts are scientific, and in some cases, it will be almost impossible to find the info on the topic you are writing about, but you have to write in such a way which allows replacing your thoughts. For example, in an online dating argumentative essay you need many arguments that will go for or against the topic. And just like in the previous point, it is important to think of all of this before you go into the actual thinking process. Of course, you think that you will be able to find some help online, and that will help you for sure. Indeed, you are even going to find proper info for your texts. But at the same time, you can think of the things way ahead of time. That is going to help you a lot because you will not lose your momentum, and it also allows you not to pause and create a beautiful essay on online dating.

At the end of this advice, it is important to remind that it is best to tell your relatives or roommates not to disturb you at certain periods of time. Also, it has been a serious problem for some of the new writers. Apart from that, there are the social network issues. To make sure that you do not find yourself texting at the middle of the writing, you have to put away your phone. And if you like music, it sometimes would be great to have some cool vibes at the background of your working process. That can help the writer get concentrated easily.

Just like those who are writing a research paper on online dating are quite good at looking for the info because they do it every day since they started working. But do not panic, it just seems to be so difficult. So here are some of the information that you will be able to use in your texts. But just before we start, it is important to remind that throughout the text you will need many facts and numbers, so the best solution is to do a small research on your own to make sure that you have enough of that info for your online dating essay conclusion. Here are some nice facts that you can use in your text.

• Nearly one-third of those who have used the online dating sites have never actually gone on a date in real life.
• Over a half of Americans that are in a relationship right now have admitted to finding their pair online.
• About a quarter of the users of the dating sites have asked somebody to help them with their site profile.
• About 90% of those using the dating sites are lying in their profiles.
• 40% of Americans use the dating websites.
• According to eHarmony, online dating users are 52.4% men and 47.6% women. 

How to write an introduction for online dating research paper

First of all, find out who is your audience. First few sentences of your text should get your readers interested in it. You have to know who your readers are, what their age and level of education might be. Think about who might be interested in the main topic of your essay and write for them. This way you will make the readers really interested from the first few words.

The first few sentences of an essay are meant for getting your readers involved in the subject you are writing about. There are a few ways to do that:

• Surprise your readers. Everybody knows how some weird and shocking facts affect us even if we were not so interested in the main subject of an essay. When people learn something fun or interesting they did not know before, it will be curious to find out what you have prepared for them next. If you want your hook to work, you need to make sure that it has an effect you want on your readers. Try telling your friends and family a fact you want to include when you write an online dating essay introduction. If they are really shocked or surprised, then go ahead and use it without hesitations.
• Remember not to use facts that will later serve as evidence to support your main point. Use something later; it may also be a fact that will get your readers hooked. Some facts that tell your readers why the topic is important are going to be fine too. 
• You can also get your readers involved by making an emotional appeal, especially if you are writing an essay for scholarship on a social issue. Describe your own story or a story you have heard from somebody, but this story has to be connected to the main subject. For example, if you are writing a persuasive essay on online dating, think of a story when somebody has met love of their lives online and how it made their lives better. If you don’t have any friends or relatives that have such a story, look for some online, don’t forget to give a credit to the author.
• Ask your readers any question, and they will do their little research to find out the answer. You can also ask your audience a question and answer in conclusion, so more readers will be willing to read till the end of your essay, curious to find out what the truth is. Just keep in mind that if the prompt of your research paper was a question, you would not ask it again in the introduction, try to think of something original instead. For instance, if you are writing why online dating is bad essay, don’t just ask your readers why they think that online dating is terrible. Instead of doing so, ask them what they think about a percentage of people that misinterpret their image on online dating websites and which consequences does this behavior have. Your question should be specific, and you should have an answer for it that you could give in the end of an essay.
• Another way to get your readers interested right from the beginning is to tell a relevant anecdote or a funny example from life. This method is great if you are writing an essay about any personal or social issues since scientific essay requires a specific tone. While you have been looking for information for your research paper, you probably have found something that sounds cool but did not work out for the main body of the essay. For example, if you are writing an essay about online dating, look for some anecdotes that will be both funny and appropriate. If you have an amusing story to share, don’t hesitate — this will make your readers smile, so they will be willing to continue reading.

After you are done with creating a great hook for your readers, you can move on to the following step. That is making a connection between your trick and the main topic. Your readers need to know what was all of that about, and that is when you should give a link to a topic you are going to talk. Just start with a smooth transition that will fit your text (search online for a list of transitional words) and give your readers a larger picture. Then, provide the background information. Even though the introduction should not be too specific, it is best to provide some facts to your readers for a better understanding of the main points you are about to make. Information in the introduction depends on the type of your paper. For instance, if you are writing an argumentative essay, explain both sides of an argument — but make sure to be neutral. Consider this when writing a thesis statement for argumentative essay about online dating – an argumentative essay should not take only one side and it has to include different views on a topic.

You can start moving from general to specific as soon as you are finished with previous steps. While describing the context of your thesis statement, try to narrow down each sentence, making them more specific. This will help you to lead a reader from an opening sentence to the thesis statement. Then you can start writing your thesis — follow the article to find out how to do that.

So, you have your trick, and you have a context for a thesis statement. Don’t use language that will make you sound uncertain. Phrases like “I will attempt to...” or “I may not be an expert” will only harm your essay. The online dating essay thesis of your essay should be specific, and it is meant to help you discuss with your readers the main points of an essay.

To write a good thesis statement, you need to understand the meaning of it. A thesis statement is usually included at the end of the first paragraph, but feel free to change a place for it if you feel like you’ve got a better idea. The goal of this statement is to give a summary of the main topic of an essay and your viewpoint. Thesis statement sentence gives your essay a direction, so all of the additional information has to be added either before the thesis statement or after.

Provide your readers with a piece of basic information about how you are going to support your main argument. Usually, it won’t take more than one sentence. If you have an outline for an essay, it should be the sentence that will present the main subject of each of the body paragraphs. Don’t just list all of the supporting points, summarize them in your own words. For instance, if you are writing a comparison essay on online and traditional dating, briefly list 3-4 main things why both types of dating might be suitable for somebody. In the body of an essay, you will talk more about the reasons why online and traditional dating might be good or bad.

Now you can move to the main body of an essay. Most of the time you start it just straight after the introduction. But in some cases, you might have to write a short additional sentence that serves as the transitive one. To understand if you need an additional sentence, try to read your introduction out loud a few times. If it does not sound natural to you, consider adding another sentence. Also, you can ask your friends or family to read your essay. They will tell how it sounds and give advice how to make it better.

Even though your essay is pretty much finished, there are a few more things to do and to think of:

• Write your introduction, not in the beginning, but after you have finished writing the whole essay. The reason for it is simple — during the process of writing an essay, you might get some new ideas about what you should include in the introduction. If you wrote your introduction first, revise it from time to time to see if it still corresponds to the essay. Delete anything unnecessary, even if it sounded good while you were writing it.
• Another thing. Make sure that you keep your essay introduction short. It should be around 100-200 words for an essay of 1000 words or 5-10% of the length of the essay.
• And that’s it. Now we can move to the next topic we need to cover.

What age is appropriate for dating essay

This topic is a pretty interesting one, as it is not discussed too often. Therefore, it is crucial to look at it not just for the text, but also to know what to answer this question when it is asked in real life. And the fact is that there is no specific age when one should start dating or start thinking about the relationships. But once again, there is a different way to escape the situation. And to do so, we will need to look at the situation from a different perspective. And it will be a whole contrasting situation than with a type of text, like the risks of online dating essay. This case requires us to look at the things from the various perspectives. That means that we are not even going to look at the age as the main criteria. Instead, our primary focus will be how a person is spending their time and so on. So, to make this clearer, it is essential to show some examples. By the way, it will be great to use such example in your online dating vs traditional dating essay as this will be a great way to show how these two types of relationship are similar and at the same time different.

So, we are going to take an example of an average teenager who likes somebody. Well, it does not depend on the age whether the teen will ask that person on a date. It is up to the situation to decide whether it is a suitable time for the person to start dating. However, with such thing as a dating website, it gets way trickier. First of all, it is important to say that in many cases people have no idea what those sites are because they are fine with the normal dating. And that is also due to texts like dangers of the internet essay. Essays like this are quite often listing the dating sites as one of the most dangerous places on the Web. They have many various reasons to say so, like the fact that many people who are willing to harm others are on such websites, or also the fact that it is not always true what you see on a profile. Therefore, nobody has to blame such texts that they are not being objective. But at the same time, they are missing the other point of view. For some, such type of dating is the only one that is affordable. Under ‘affordable’ it is meant that they have no way that they can meet somebody in real life regularly at all or due to certain circumstances at that moment. And that is a thing to add to your cons of online dating essay that we are going to talk about later. There are many people who are working day shifts meaning that they will not be able to meet regularly because they have a lot of work to do. Therefore, the dating websites are their only ways to meet somebody with the same situation in their life, and that will be how they would suit each other. Therefore, coming back to the topic of the appropriate age, there would be no doubt that it is up to the situation to decide at what age to start dating in real life, but there have to be some limits when talking about the Web dating. This would be something to talk about in typical disadvantages of online dating essay which we are also going to cover later on in this article. And it is actually not that easy to define at what age one should start using a dating website. But in most of the cases, it is not the best idea to go there unless you are at least 20 years. The reason for that is the fact that the younger people are often too pessimistic about their relationships, so they look for some exotic ways to find a partner. Usually, students are finding their future partners at the places that both of them like. This would be great to add in an online dating research paper outline. In most of the cases, those are going to be some kind of a meetups where people with the same hobbies and interests gather. And you just need to find the actual interests that you have and go ahead and visit the meetings. If you like reading, there will be no greater way to find somebody than a library or a book club. Moreover, you might be able to find good friends and new interests there. In the case of music lovers, those might be the concerts and so on. Just do not be shy and you will see that you need no dating sites to stay happy and to find people that you might like. And to make everything even more interesting, it is the time to start talking about the pros and cons of online dating, so let us move to the next topic of the discussion.

Pros and cons of online dating essay

Just like in many cases, it is easier to start with the flip side of the coin. And to start it off, it is crucial to remind about one thing that was said previously in this text. That is the fact that not all of the people on such websites are up to the good things. You will not be surprised to find out that the better person looks, the more possibility is that they are going to trick you. And this brings us to the second problem of such websites. Do not forget to include both of them in your negative effects of online dating essay!

The second problem of the dating sites is the fact that not all of the people want to harm you, but they surely want to trick you. This is the time to use some of statistics and tell the reader some interesting numbers. To successfully start with this, it is going to be said that about 90% of people lie in their dating sites profiles. Therefore, if somebody looks too nice to be true, it is probably so. Therefore, make sure that you check everything and communicate about everything before you plan to meet in real life. And that is just like in any dangers of online dating essay.  

When writing the middle part, it is essential to give your readers some time to rest. It is crucial for them to see how many good sides and how many terrible sides the online dating has. So, do not be lazy and spend some time looking for the information to include in this transitional paragraph. Those might be some interesting stories or facts. Also, with the rise of technology, you are going to be able to find some interesting infographics or pictures illustrating the words you have said previously. But do not get too deep into the details. Remember, you still need to write your advantages of online dating essay. And it is the time to continue talking about this topic. And before the start, it is once again important to repeat the things said previously. So, let us finish this difficult part of the text!

When writing about the advantages of online dating, you have to remember that you should keep yourself away from it a little. That means that you do not want to get so much into details that you will be almost advertising those sites. But at the same time do not forget that you want to be objective on the topic you are writing about. It would be fair to remind that there are people that have no possibilities to meet in person right away due to personal factors. For example, there may be people who are working late. This is something to include in your rise of online dating essay, as this reason is one of the most significant factors of the growth of such websites.

And a factor that you have never seen would be quite weird for you, but that is the truth for some. That is the fact that people are training to talk with others using dating websites. That sounds like nonsense, but that is the sad truth for some. Due to the lack of communication with people because of various reasons, they are trying to learn this new skill using the dating websites. This would be an interesting topic to cover in the communication in online dating research paper.

After you are done with the main part, it is crucial to give your reader some time to think about everything. Therefore, make sure that you make another transitional part in your text to let your reader rest from all of the info that you gave them throughout the text. This is also where you are going to need your information that you have stored previously, before the beginning of the text. And after we are done with the online dating essay tips, it is time to get to the analysis of everything that we have learned.

The conclusion of an online dating essay

This will be a short paragraph with various reasons to go into it, but the main reason is just one. It is impossible to tell everything about the last paragraph of the text. You will be surprised, but there can even be no actual list of things that you will need to include in your conclusion. The last paragraph can also depend on the mood of the author, as it might be an optimistic one or the one that will tell only the bad things. Yes, that is way more than thinking of the online dating topics for essay.

So, there are some things that you still are going to need to know about this part of the text. And the main one is the fact that there should be no new information in this paragraph. Everything that you wanted to say must stay in the main paragraph, but in the conclusion you should start thinking about everything that you have stated before. And this might get quite tricky for some people, especially at the beginning.

Think of conclusion as of something like a what do you think about online dating essay. That is a part where you will need to express your personal opinion on the things going on in the text. But keep in mind that this might be different depending on the genre of the text. For example, in a research paper, it will be quite difficult to make people know about what you think because you are not allowed to tell about your thoughts in the scientific texts. But if you are writing something for a magazine or at school, like the effects of online dating essay, it will be crucial to include some thoughts on what is going on with the topic.

After you are done with the writing, it is quite reasonable to check everything in the text. You will need to see if the text fits the good descriptive essay topic that is given and whether it follows the same genre throughout the whole essay. This tip will save you in a difficult situation like the one where you have to write some text that is pretty difficult, for example, the analytical essay on online dating or any other scientific type of writing.

By the way, that is not the only way to improve the quality of your writing. What you can do is add some more words to make the text look nice. It would be great to think of any famous people who have spoken of the topic of your text. Those might be all types of people, but the closer they are to the field of your writing, the more your text is going to benefit from those words. Therefore, make sure that you check for all the possible quotes that you have ever met.

Those quotes and all types of pictures and all of the stuff that you have been preparing would be an excellent addition to the transitional parts of the text. Reread them and make sure that they are the words that make people relax, not feel even more confused. Therefore, it is important to check if your text readability is at a high level. You can give it to your friends to check out and do not take any critics badly. They might be the ones to show you mistakes that might cost you the job or the grade.

In the end, it would be great to check whether you need to change any words. That is a thing for some people, who do not like making their texts too big. In order to get rid of the repetitive stuff you can simply change some of the sentences and the words with other ones that are close by meaning but look well or sound like they are scientific. This trick is great to remember as it might save you a lot of work in the future when working on the other texts.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Family — Online Dating

Online Dating Essays

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Online Dating Better Or Traditional Dating

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Comparison of Online Dating and Traditional Dating

Examination of the influence of technology to romantic entanglements, the online dating story of a data analyst in how i hacked online dating, a ted talk speech by amy webb, the case study analysis on identity dating profile, online dating and dating apps, effects of online dating, relevant topics.

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Best Jewish Dating Apps, Sites: Pros, Cons, Costs [2024]

What Makes a Great Jewish Dating App?

Top jewish dating apps and sites reviewed, features to look for in a jewish dating app, challenges of online dating for jews, how tawkify can help in your dating journey.

Best Jewish Dating Apps, Sites: Honest Reviews [2024]

If you’re a Jewish single navigating the dating scene without much luck, maybe you just haven’t found the right dating platform yet. After all, finding the person who makes your heart sing—and fits your religious or cultural preferences—can be challenging. But with the best app or site at your fingertips, you can find the person you’ve been looking for. 

We’ve compiled a list of the top Jewish dating apps and sites that may help in your search for a partner.

There are some key aspects of a great Jewish dating app.

Cultural Compatibility and Understanding

For many people of Jewish heritage, finding partners who share similar beliefs, customs, and traditions is key. A Jewish dating app will take this into account and provide ways for individuals to match with like-minded singles.

Community and Support Features

Feeling supported in the dating journey can be the difference in a good versus great experience. For example, with Jewish dating apps and websites, the ability to set specific religious or lifestyle preferences may help some singles feel seen, like their preferences matter. This can lead to empowerment in the community and provide a more enjoyable dating experience.

Safety and Privacy

Safety and privacy are two crucial features of any dating app—Jewish dating apps and sites included. This could look like profile verification, the ability to block or report profiles, human moderators, and more.

Jdate ’s website launched in 1997, followed later by its dating app. It’s a reputable online dating platform for Jewish singles.

Overview and Key Features

According to its website, Jdate “has become known as the modern shidduch, a convenient way for Jewish singles to meet, interact, and find love.” The site and app aim to help Jewish singles find like-minded, faith-based individuals to share their lives with and continue the Jewish tradition.

One key feature includes an activity tab, where users can view who has liked them, profiles they have viewed, members that have viewed them, and mutual likes. Additionally, Jdate prompts users to fill in their Jewish denomination during setup and has advanced filters to narrow down profiles based on if someone does or doesn’t keep kosher, if they attend synagogue, their smoking and drinking habits, and more.

Pros and Cons

Advanced filters can help singles find someone who fits their specific lifestyle, but these detailed searches are only available with a paid subscription. Similarly, many features are only available with a paid membership, like the Lookbook feature (anonymous browsing), reading and replying to messages, and enhanced privacy controls.

Reviews of Jdate on Reddit are a mixed bag, with some people saying they’ve met their partner through the app/site and others saying that it’s outdated and the user base is small. Reviews on Google Play Store are mostly negative, with a 1.3-star average rating.

However, with both an app and a site, Jdate is accessible to those who like a mobile experience and singles who prefer to use a desktop.

JSwipe was launched in 2014 as a millennial alternative to Jdate.

JSwipe is a Jewish dating app that encourages singles in this community to find long-term relationships. It uses a Tinder-like approach to liking profiles and is known for drawing in users looking for serious partnerships.

Notable features include profiles that clearly emphasize a user’s Jewish sect and kosher preference, the ability to send super swipes, and messaging expiration dates (matches or conversations that haven’t had activity for 18 days will be deleted). 

Some people might like the expiration dates on matches and messages because this feature encourages maintaining communication, but others might prefer to be able to return to prior matches as a way to respark the connection. 

A huge benefit of JSwipe is the robust free version, which allows all users to chat with mutual matches. On the flip side, a negative aspect of JSwipe is that Android users must have a Facebook profile to sign up.

SawYouAtSinai

SawYouAtSinai is a matchmaking site that aims to find Jewish singles love around the world. 

Unlike Jewish dating apps and sites, SawYouAtSinai is a matchmaking service, where members are assigned one to two matchmakers (gold-level members can choose up to two) who will search their network of more than 30,000 Jewish singles, connect potential matches based on members’ preferences and profiles, and provide advice and support throughout the process.

There is a SawYouAtSinai app, but it is reserved for messaging between members and matchmakers. 

A clear benefit of SawYouAtSinai is the ability for members to relax while their matchmakers do the hard work of searching for a potential partner. Once they approve a match, then the connection is in their hands (for example, initiating communication and setting up a first date). Additionally, Jewish individuals can join for free with a basic membership and get matched with other members, but to approve matches, receive more matches per week, and have direct consultation with a matchmaker, they need to pay for a membership (which is less than $30 a month).

One thing to note is that although SawYouAtSinai says its matchmaking has helped Jewish singles “who consider themselves ‘Just Jewish,’ Conservative, Modern Orthodox or Yeshivish/Black Hat,” several Reddit reviews claim that the majority of members are orthodox. This could mean that there is a smaller pool of members who are not orthodox.

JewishCafe is an online community where Jewish individuals can connect.

JewishCafe has been around since 2002, offering a place for those in the Jewish community to meet each other, either for companionship or to date. Although it’s technically a dating site, there are several places on its website that refer to making friendships. This could make the site less appealing to Jewish singles specifically looking for a romantic relationship.

Users create profiles (as simple or detailed as they’d like), then can search for, like, and send messages to other profiles. 

The website’s design seems very outdated and has inconsistent information. For example, it says that there is a JewishCafe iPhone app, but none appears on the Apple App Store (additionally, its webpage shows a very outdated version of an iPhone screen). Furthermore, it’s unclear how members communicate with one another, as one page on the website says “email” and other instances note the use of chat rooms or “mailboxes.” 

It’s also important to note that photos are not required, which could present safety concerns.

One nice feature of JewishCafe is its three-week free trial, which gives users full site capabilities, including messaging.

EliteSingles

EliteSingles is an online matchmaking service that offers a website and an app.

Although EliteSingles is not specifically a Jewish dating site or app, it does allow users to set their preferences, including religion. The matchmaking service is known for its detailed personality quiz during setup, which consists of 84 questions and informs its matching algorithm. Once users complete their profiles, EliteSingles sends up to seven matches per day.

The focus on personality types is a big draw for EliteSingles users, as that information can boost the compatibility with potential matches. However, according to many reviews of EliteSingles , its algorithm is inaccurate and location filters are unreliable. 

Additionally, while EliteSingles does offer a free version, users should sign up for a paid membership to be able to interact with matches.

The dating site and app Zoosk aims to help singles find meaningful connections.

Zoosk is not a Jewish-focused dating app or site, but users can filter their searches by religion to produce more specific results. In terms of special features, Zoosk is known for its algorithm called SmartPick, which learns users’ behaviors to deliver better matches. Individuals are provided with profile recommendations, they can search on their own, or they can use the Carousel feature, which displays profiles geographically close to you.

The behavioral technology behind Zoosk and the variety of ways to find potential matches are notable benefits of the online dating platform. Additionally, some App Store reviews note that the layout and design of the app are nice.

However, some Reddit reviews claim that there are lots of fake profiles, and Google Play Store reviews mention that having to pay for full app capabilities is a letdown.

Here are some top features to look for in a Jewish dating app.

Compatibility Algorithms

Not all dating apps and sites have compatibility algorithms, but this is a special feature to look for, as it can help to produce better matches.

Cultural Understanding

Feeling seen and supported in your dating journey is crucial for a great experience. Make sure that the dating platform you choose is either focused on the Jewish culture and religion or provides ways for individuals in this community to connect (via filters). 

Profile Verification and Safety Measures

Finally, ensure that the app or site you choose has safety measures in place, such as profile verification, keeping sensitive information private, the ability to hide your profile from searches, and more.

Jewish singles may encounter some unique challenges during their dating journeys.

Balancing Traditional Values with Modern Dating

The Jewish heritage and religion is rich with tradition—and the traditional values that come along with it. Some Jewish singles may feel pulled between seemingly two worlds: one that prioritizes certain values and one that embraces modern trends. Blending the two can be difficult, which is why staying true to yourself and your beliefs and choosing the right approach to dating are key.

Navigating Cultural Expectations

Jewish singles might also find it difficult to navigate the various cultural expectations when it comes to dating or finding a life partner. For some, seeking a partner who shares the same values and practices the same customs is paramount. For others, they may hold special regard for certain expectations and customs but not require the same from their significant other. There are many nuances of a religion and heritage, so it’s important for Jewish singles to keep their deal-breakers in mind.

Niche vs. Mainstream

Singles in the Jewish community who are searching for a partner will come across niche dating and matchmaking sites and those that are more mainstream—that may accept singles from all religions, cultures, and backgrounds. Knowing which platform is right for you can be challenging (but that’s why we’ve put together this helpful list!).

Find your best relationship with Tawkify, where matchmakers guide you through the matchmaking process, with support and advice along the way. No matter your religious, lifestyle, or personality preferences, Tawkify matchmakers can help you locate your mate through specialized searches of our extensive network of singles. Plus, we do all the hard work for you—even setting up first dates! We can help you find your person .

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3 men trapped by same woman: Journalist on modus operandi of dating app scams

Recently, a journalist in mumbai exposed the modus operandi of the scamsters and revealed how an andheri cafe, the godfather club, was part of the scheme. .

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• Scams reported in Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Hyderabad
• The Godfather Club in Mumbai under investigation for scam
• Women lure men to upscale venues, order pricey items

The trend of dating app 'scams' where gullible men are coerced into paying large restaurant bills is on the rise. Recently, a journalist in Mumbai exposed the modus operandi of the scamsters and revealed how an Andheri cafe, The Godfather Club, was part of the scheme.

The cafe is now under investigation following a viral social media post by activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj.

"Mumbai dating scam expose. The Godfather Club Andheri West. Brazen scamming every day. 12 victims in touch. Trap laid through Tinder, Bumble. Bill amounts 23K- 61K. 3 men trapped by same girl," she tweeted.

According to Deepika Bhardwaj, the scam begins on popular dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and OKCupid. Women lure gullible men out for dates at upscale venues such as The Godfather Club.

After meeting at the restaurant, the women reportedly order pricey items like high-end liquor or hookah, which are not listed on the menu. After placing the order, the women leave abruptly, citing an emergency, leaving the men with an exorbitant bill ranging from Rs 23,000 to Rs 61,000.

When the men protest or refuse to pay, they are allegedly threatened by the club's staff or bouncers, forcing them to pay out of fear. Photos of receipts shared by Bhardwaj on social media have sparked outrage and led to a broader investigation into similar scams at other nightclubs in Mumbai.

Bhardwaj's post suggests that these clubs may be part of a larger network that employs women to lure men into such traps. Similar incidents have also been reported in other major cities like Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. In one case, a civil service aspirant in Delhi was scammed into paying Rs 1.2 lakh in bills at a popular venue. Published By: Vadapalli Nithin Kumar Published On: Aug 24, 2024 READ | Delhi journalist meets girl on Bumble, ends up losing Rs 15,000 on his first date at Rajouri Garden cafe