Whether you’re recently single, new to the dating scene, or just curious, we won’t judge. This guide will give you a run-down on the most popular dating apps and the social etiquette that you should keep in mind if you want to try to make real connections through online dating!
There are dozens of dating apps with active communities out there available for you to choose from but if you want the best results, it’s probably best to stick with the old reliables — Tinder and Bumble. In terms of how you might use them, these two apps are very similar and luckily for everyone, they’re super easy to use!
Tinder hasn’t changed much since it was created in 2013. New features are regularly added to keep it feeling fresh and interesting but the game has always stayed the same. Bumble, on the other hand, is Tinder’s well-mannered cousin. If you’re interested in dating men but don’t enjoy the feeling of being pursued, Bumble has got your back. On this app, it’s women who hold the power — a male match cannot message you unless you’ve decided to chat with him first.
You probably already know this but here’s a refresher just in case you don’t: you swipe left on a profile that doesn’t catch your eye and then swipe right on someone that you like the look of. If this person also swipes right on your profile, it’s a match! You’ll now be able to chat with each other privately and see if you can manage to hit it off.
It’s totally fine to use dating apps for a little ego boost or to get a feel for how many people out there might be interested in you but if you’re looking for a more serious experience, you’ve got to make sure that your profile presents the very best version of yourself! When it comes to dating app profiles, there are some universal do’s and don’ts:
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Create a fun and likeable version of yourself to show off on your profile but don’t lie about who you actually are — the last thing you want to do is catfish someone!
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Filters are cute but make sure to include some natural photos of yourself too, drop the Instagram mentality!
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Try to include a nice variety of photos on your profile, we all had hobbies and fun nights out before the pandemic
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Don’t be too revealing in your biography — you want to leave a little mystery that could lead into a conversation with your matches. Besides, a good picture tells a thousand words!
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Ghosting is an inevitable part of the online dating process but it’s always nicer to let a dull conversation fade away naturally than to just leave them hanging
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Don’t try to start a conversation with “Hey”, we all know that isn’t going to lead anywhere exciting!
The pandemic has made the ordeal of trying to find a real connection through an online dating app even more difficult than it already was. A good way to avoid dealing with hurt feelings or frustration at the bigger situation is to (temporarily) limit your search distance. Sure, the pickings are slimmer but if you hit it off with someone within a reasonable distance, a walk through the park or a takeaway coffee with your match could be in your near future.