Dating apps have become the most common way of finding love online. People tend to become more introverted and meeting someone in social settings or through friends is something that not everyone is comfortable with. This and many other reasons help people in our day and time find love without all of the unnecessary struggles.
Finding a partner through the internet has been a thing for longer than you might think, even before dating apps were around. While smartphones are now the easiest way to connect and meet other singles, here are some things that contributed to the evolution of dating apps through the years.
Where it all begun
If you asked your grandparents about how they found love, you are bound to hear so many different answers. Some will tell you they come from arranged marriages where they didn’t find love, but rather learned to love the person they were given. Others will tell you they were lucky enough to find love through a family friend or distant relative.
The truth is that the dynamic of relationships was completely different in the past. Women didn’t have as much freedom as they do today, and having multiple partners or going on dates was oftentimes frowned upon. This is why most couples ended up staying together, even if they didn’t love each other at first or were fully compatible.
One of the first ways through which technology was used for dating was back in 1965. An IBM 1401 computer was smartly used by two young Harvard students in order to create the first match-making service in the US called Operation Match.
This was based on a 75-question survey which an applicant would fill out and ship to the students along with a $3 fee. After more than 90.000 people used their services by 1966, the service was considered a great success.
In April of 1995, the first dating platform was officially launched in the form of Match.com and it made a huge impact on the lives of singles all over. At the time, Match.com was a free service only supported by ads, but later on, shaped what would be today’s subscription-based dating apps. The questions on the platform were very questionable at first though, and this discouraged many people from signing up for the service.
Since the company didn’t have many people to join, the company’s employees and their friends signed up for the service in order to help kick start it. After certain fake profiles started popping up, the company decided to invest in creating safety rules and guidelines in order to ensure the safety of its users.
Dating apps in the 21st century
By the beginning of the 21st century, more and more social networking sites started appearing online. Websites such as Friendster specialized in connecting friends and family online, while others such as OkCupid and Plenty of Fish solely focused on providing dating services to singles.
By 2005, the launch of Facebook created yet another platform that could help bring people together, regardless of the fact that this wasn’t actually a dating app. Around 2010, LGBTQ+ inclusive dating apps were finally gaining ground, and this allows for even more freedom and inclusivity in the dating world.
How dating apps grew in popularity
One of the most important reasons why dating apps have risen in popularity over the years is because of the data they use to improve their services. Dating apps are able to have access to specific demographics and make sure that they cater to the needs of their customers.
Most dating apps offer location-specific features and the subscription features allow them to keep working on improving things such as security, compatibility, and the overall user experience of their customers. The happy endings many couples get though are one of the biggest motivations for new users to join.
The biggest rise in popularity yet has been a result of the 2019 pandemic, which encouraged even more singles to join a dating app and find love over the course of the quarantine. When you get lonely and have no one to connect with, being able to meet new people and have virtual dates is an amazing way to spend your time.
Therefore, more and more dating apps have popped up over the past couple of years. Since dating new people is something most single people are interested in, it is easier and easier to create a successful dating app when you know there will always be people excited to use it.
Popular dating apps in our time
Nowadays, the US dating app industry is worth billions of dollars and it keeps growing more and more every single year. There are many dating apps in today’s dating scene which help connect adults and generate billions of dollars in income every year. Some include the following:
- Tinder: Tinder became famous over the years for its status as a “hookup app”, as most of its users refer to it as that. It is known for its swipe and matches feature, the fact that it is based on proximity and it also offers paid subscriptions.
- Bumble: Bumble has made a name for itself as it helps empower women to make the first move. It is made for men who prefer for women to reach out to them first and also includes a paid subscription option.
- Hinge: Hinge allows its users to send a like on another person’s profile through one of the pictures they have posted or their prompt responses. This makes it easier for people to reach out to you and ensures they didn’t just reach out to you because they liked your physical appearance only.
- Taimi: When it comes to LGBTQ+ dating apps, the Taimi dating app is open to people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. It is much more inclusive than other LGBTQ+ dating apps and ensures a safe environment where its users can find love, without the struggles of a straight-only dating app.
- Plenty of Fish: PoF is based on matching singles based on the information they put into the algorithm of the app. The more in common you have with someone, the more likely it is to match the two of you. This shows that it puts more focus on building relationships rather than casual hookups.
Each individual dating app has its own way of doing things and all aim toward helping singles find an ideal partner. While there are more apps to be added to this list, and it is one that keeps growing on a yearly basis, there are enough differences to set each one apart and make them desirable to many people.
Finding true love online
The truth is that while dating apps are so popular, there are still plenty of people who are apprehensive about seeking love online. Some people are worried about their safety, as there are plenty of situations that have gone wrong due to dating app meet-ups. The important thing to remember is that it’s not the dating app’s fault.
There are ill-willed people everywhere and the best thing you can do in order to protect yourself is always meet in a public place, have the means to protect yourself, and let a friend know where you are at all times. No matter how much you like someone, they are still a stranger, and you should always put your safety first before your feelings. This way you will be able to make the most of dating apps and find the love you were always looking for.