They have a reputation for being primarily used for hookups which is pretty ironic considering that 60% of users admit to using dating apps to find a long term relationship.
The number of people signing up for dating apps grows everyday and so does the pool of potential partners and possible swipe rights. You’d think the endless possibilities would make things easier, right?
Not always.
Dating apps also make it easier to hide behind a screen and misrepresent who you are. Anyone who’s suddenly been ghosted knows this all too well. Dating apps are becoming the new normal for singletons, but they’re far from perfect.
“Today’s generations are looking (exhaustively) for soul mates, whether we decide to hit the altar or not, and we have more opportunities than ever to find them,” writes comedian Aziz Ansari in Time. In 2015, Ansari published the book Modern Romance, a deep dive into the transformation of our romantic lives and how drastically the culture surrounding finding how has changed.
Dating apps are trying to simplify the process of finding a soul mate, but with the sheer quantity of profiles, the process becomes time consuming.
He said, “The biggest changes have been brought by the $2.4 billion online-dating industry, which has exploded in the past few years with the arrival of dozens of mobile apps. Throw in the fact that people now get married later in life than ever before, turning their early 20s into a relentless hunt for more romantic options than previous generations could have ever imagined, and you have a recipe for romance gone haywire.”
Dating apps are often celebrated for giving people more options. You might meet someone you’d never run into through your daily routines, but studies also show that the choice overload of potential partners can be overwhelming. When given a smaller pool to choose from, participants were more satisfied with their final choice, in comparison to those who chose from a larger group of potential suitors.
Dating apps have a reputation for being primarily used for hookups which is pretty ironic considering that 60% of users admit to using dating apps to find a long term relationship.
It’s never been easier to find new options, and just knowing you have the potential to find more is key. Think of how many dating apps you download in a matter of seconds.
Tinder didn’t work out? Download Bumble!
Bumble wasn’t doing it for you? Check out another one. Coffee Meet Bagel? Hinge? Match? JSwiper? HER?
You’re just a 60 second download away from every available single in your immediate area. We want to feel like we have some level of choice, but endless options can be problematic. It can give us unrealistic expectations, question ourselves and leave us feeling dissatisfied. Doesn’t really sound like a recipe for a long lasting relationship, does it?
"Dating apps have the portability factor, so you can use them while you’re on the bus or waiting for an appointment,” said relationship expert and author April Masini told Bustle. “Because they’re so easy to use on phones, you can take them with you and use them all over the place. Your life can be a lot more flexible with these portable apps.”
But just because there are plenty of options, doesn’t mean everyone you message is ready and willing to respond. There will be more than enough people on your queue who never send a message, (and even more that you won’t be interested in).
Dating apps are trying to simplify the process of finding a soul mate, but with the sheer quantity of profiles, the process becomes time consuming. Constant swiping and starting up small-chat conversations can get old quickly, especially when it seems like it’s going nowhere.
It’s a necessary evil for a lot of singles and as apps like Tinder and Match continue to grow so will the number of profiles ready to be swiped right.
So if you’re getting frustrated with dating apps just remember you’re not alone.
Apps like Wandure are trying to bring dating back to real life - with Wandure a match = a date. So when you match with someone, you're guaranteed to meet them on a date that's planned for you by the app. No tedious texting, just dates.
Goodbye overwhelming dating app convos.
