Times have changed from waiting for a friend to introduce you to their colleague or for your mother to push you on to her friend’s son in hopes of scoring a date. Today’s world is fast and ruthless.
The dating scene has changed, and we find more people trying their luck on dating apps than in regular old bars.
Dating apps aren’t a new concept either. The idea of finding love online goes as far back as the advent of the internet itself.
Still, this rapid change has left some feeling perplexed about the situation, and many wonder why this change is taking hold.
To clear up some of the confusion, here are the 15 most common reasons people use dating apps.
1. They Are Convenient
We have it way too easy these days with everything practically available at our fingertips.
Whether it’s food or comfort, we can order almost anything online, and we love the convenience.
Naturally, this technological shift also had to impact dating, and we don’t see anyone complaining.
Gone are the days of you (or everyone for that matter) needing to go out and waiting for a situation where you can introduce yourself to someone.
Dating apps have scrapped all the inconveniences when it comes to just reaching out to a person and saying hello.
Things unfold naturally after that first step, and even when things don’t work out, there’s no love lost.
2. The Ease of Accessibility
You’re stuck in a job that doesn’t let you go out at ideal times, or you’re stationed in a foreign place where you don’t even speak the language.
The prospects of finding someone when the situation is not very ideal become pretty low through the traditional means.
Well, with online dating, people have found a way to find love even through obstacles.
Finding someone interesting is now made easy, whether you are in quarantine or stuck in the corporate cycle.
People appreciate the ease of holding a conversation and turning it into a genuine connection, all via the internet.
And with the rapid improvements in the dating apps, new features keep making it more reliable for people to have a smooth experience.
3. Quicker Than Ever
Traditional dating might have some perks over the online experience, but no one can deny how quick this app method is.
There is no waiting around for an appropriate time to go on the next date, no waiting before you reply to a message, and no tiptoeing around the serious business.
If you think it, test it, and see where it leads you.
Dating is a game of trial and error. And the logistics just get too much when it is done in person.
But through a dating app, not only can you find people quicker, but you can shoot your shot whenever you want without having to wait for the stars to align.
4. Infinite Options
Okay, so infinite might be stretching it a little, but it’s close enough.
When it comes to how many people we can reach out to in the hope of finding a good match, dating apps have changed the game.
The physical borders no longer exist, and this wider pool has made everything more exciting.
Everyone on dating apps is on the same page. So, whether they are looking for something casual or serious, they are looking for something.
Having so many people available in one place is like striking gold, and this treasure hunt is very attractive, to say the least.
Whether it is trying your luck with a person living across the country or matching with someone you would never (ever!) have crossed paths with, diversity is much appreciated.
It is one of the biggest reasons why dating apps have become so popular and won’t go out of style anytime soon.
5. Being Less Vulnerable
Dating apps are magical in a way where they make it super easy to form connections with interesting people and keep them at a safe distance at the same time.
When it comes to dating, we need to open up and take risks; however, these risks can sometimes be too great in the real world.
Think of all the horror stories that we have heard of people meeting others on blind dates, only for things to turn south or sometimes even criminal.
Dating apps provide a safer option for people to first get to know each other and then slowly dip their toes into real-world interactions.
This safety net isn’t only limited to extreme scenarios either.
Dating apps create a dating environment where people can be less vulnerable in general to the little inconveniences that would just be considered normal consequences of dating in the traditional world.
6. Avoiding Awkwardness
In the way they are set up, dating apps ward off a lot of the awkwardness that naturally comes with the idea of dating itself.
The awkward first handshakes, how to start a conversation, and the general fumbling with your uncomfortable outfit – none of that exists on dating apps.
Sure, the goal is to eventually meet up and find that spark but building that solid foundation online through fun conversations is a massive upgrade from the awkward first date.
Knowing whether you are even a good match, to begin with, helps curb a lot of the cringe.
The ease and casualness of dating apps make it less awkward and just more fun to interact with people.
7. A Gift for the Socially Anxious
Not everyone has the talent of conversing easily with people they have not seen before – even Mr. Darcy struggled with that one.
When we think about it, traditional dating seems like an elite sport made for the extroverted, confident type, and many anxious individuals are just left hanging due to their natural hesitations.
Dating apps are a godsend for people that find social interactions particularly difficult.
Online, casual interactions have much lower stakes and can give everyone a boost of confidence, unlike the intimidating settings of a fancy restaurant or a bar.
You just need a little courage to swipe to one side or type a short message, which is way easier than approaching someone in real life.
8. Getting on the Bandwagon
This one isn’t difficult to understand. We live in a social bubble, and it’s very easy to get into something just because our friends are doing it.
You hear about someone’s positive experience, and suddenly you are curious to try it yourself.
Egging on your friends to join an app or even creating their accounts for them has become somewhat of a party activity itself.
Whether it’s just to “try it out” or hoping to genuinely connect with someone, a lot of people get into the dating apps scene through their friends.
It is not unusual or unique now to hear that a couple met through a dating app, and more people are inclined to give it a shot because of these success stories.
9. The Compatibility Test
Dating apps becoming better and better when it comes to matching you with people with whom you share common interests, especially people who might have never ended up on your radar if you used the traditional dating method.
Whether it’s hobbies or niche interests, you are sure to find someone into the same stuff as yourself.
This is another reason why dating apps are so attractive to people.
Right off the bat, people can find genuinely interesting individuals without needing to approach a ton of people only to be disappointed at the end.
10. It’s Nothing Serious
Going out on dates through the traditional method of meeting someone or being asked out through a friend can sometimes seem too high stakes. Intentions can sometimes become difficult to communicate face to face, and expectations can be misjudged.
Cue dating apps and all this confusion is solved with a few simple words.
“Not looking for anything serious” is a common and well-accepted part of the dating apps culture.
Everything is spelled out right from the beginning, so there’s no confusion for either party.
So, dating apps can provide people with ease of communication regarding casual flings, which makes everything a lot less pressurized.
11. A Slight Deception
Okay, this is not something we condone, but it is a reality.
We have all exaggerated things on our resumes, and dating apps also lend themselves very easily to that not-so-ethical practice.
Of course, most of these embellishments are harmless.
From photo filters to faking a vacation, the online world does make it too easy for people to present an ideal version of themselves rather than the real one.
It is another reason why dating apps are tempting for many people as they can feel more confident and fake it till they make it.
12. Deeper Connections
The idea might seem oxymoronic to some people.
With all that opportunity to deceive or just not take things seriously, how can dating apps provide a means of forming deeper connections?
The answer lies in the ease and distance of the medium itself.
People feel less vulnerable on dating apps but also more open.
The lower stakes make it easier for people to not feel intimidated and truly be themselves behind their phones’ security.
When a spark lights up, it is much more meaningful and intense.
13. Curbing the Boredom
Let’s face it. Sometimes, we just want to distract ourselves from our boring routines and have something new to look forward to.
Unlike games and TV shows, spending time with fun, interesting people on casual grounds is just a perfect medicine for boredom.
You never know where life can take or lead you, and sometimes, a connection that starts from casual conversation fueled by boredom can become something much deeper and more meaningful.
Meanwhile, it is a perfect pastime where you are not hurting the other person while also engaging in an exciting activity.
14. So Affordable
You meet someone new at work, and surprisingly, they agree to hang out. You don’t know much about this person and are hoping to find out.
The problem is that this getting-to-know-the-other-person will cost many dinner dates (if you’re lucky) and taxi rides.
The investment needed in the old ways of dating is a lot when you think about it.
Thanks to online conversations, a big positive of online dating is the money people can save during the getting-to-know phase.
Ensuring that you both are on the same page, have a connection, and can see yourself working out before really spending much is a huge plus for people.
15. The Changing Norms
And finally, the dating world has drastically changed. Not just the mediums but the rules and norms of what dating is.
At least in the Western world, the younger generations have long moved on from the idea of running into the love of their life on the street.
People use everything at their disposal to increase their chances of success, which is only made easier through dating apps.
Priorities have changed, and so have people’s expectations of each other. The idea of romance is ever-evolving within the same foundations of love and companionship.
It is only natural for the dating realities to shift in this technologically driven world.
Dating apps are attractive to people for their innovation, which is much appreciated by the newer generations who are not afraid to step out of traditional ways of life.
Final Thoughts
Whatever the reasons are for each person to join and use dating apps, one thing is for sure; they are not going anywhere.
We have seen dating norms and culture change according to the surrounding environment throughout history.
It is only natural that the fast-paced technological advancements also influence the dating scene.
Some might see the shift as a threat or challenge, but others take it in stride and find opportunities.
We have only scraped the surface of the possible new dynamics we will be exposed to in the near future when it comes to dating apps.
