Home Advice & How-ToDating Choosing the Right Dating App for You
Home Advice & How-ToDating Choosing the Right Dating App for You

Choosing the Right Dating App for You

by Spokeo

Over the past decade we’ve become a society heavily dependent on technology for anything and everything. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that many singles of all ages are now taking advantage of tech to help aid their search for love.

What Makes Dating Apps So Popular?

One major selling point of mobile app dating is that it’s relatively easy. The pure convenience factor is invaluable for those of us who are just too tired after a long day of work to go out to happy hour. It’s also helpful for those who don’t feel totally comfortable striking up a conversation with a stranger out in public.

Another appeal of mobile dating is that because there are so many fish in the online dating sea, we conceivably shouldn’t have to settle for anything less than a perfect match. It might take some time, but eventually you’ll be able to find someone who shares similar values and interests.

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One downside is that in your search for that perfect match, you’re going to have to play the numbers game. This involves many silly little conversations with new matches that ultimately go nowhere, fast. Some apps are designed to expedite the get-to-know-you experience, while others are more likely to keep have you swiping away for months on end.

A second challenge of mobile app dating is wading through all the fake profiles. It comes with the territory – there are catfish lurking out there on just about every dating platform. The good news is you can learn how to protect yourself from catfish as well as do online research on those you meet online in order to make sure they’ve been truthful about their identity.

Despite this, there are a thousand more reasons why you should take advantage of this new, innovative way to date. We’ve selected three unique mobile dating apps that can help speed up the process.

Most Popular Dating Apps Among the Masses

There are several top dating apps for finding both hook-ups and long-term relationships, but they each present their own set of challenges. With so many options it can be hard to decide which app is best for finding a potential mate.

Each dating app has unique features that differentiate it from the others. If you’re having trouble selecting the right dating app for you, fear not! Here are the most popular dating apps for finding the right partner:

Hinge

Since its relaunch in the past year, Hinge has taken the world by storm.

One of the most popular apps today, Hinge’s unique interface allows you to interact with a specific element of person’s profile directly. You can like or comment on an individual photo or personal blurb they’ve written, making it much easier to kick off conversation than typical dating apps.

Many relationship-driven users also appreciate the added ability to filter potential matches based on a number of “Preferred Preferences,” including children, family plans, politics, drinking, smoking and more. If you don’t want to waste your time with someone who smokes, simply select “No” in that section and mark it as one of your dealbreakers. This eliminates any smokers from appearing while you’re browsing.

You can even sync your Hinge profile with your Instagram account to give potential matches a better view of you and your lifestyle. You might try using the trial mode of Hinge for a while, then move on to the membership mode which costs $9.99 per month. It’s available on both Google Play and Apple’s App Store.

Bumble

Bumble is notably different from other dating apps because it puts women in the driver’s seat.

When swiping results in a match, it’s up to the woman to make the first move. She has 24 hours to initiate contact once you’ve both swiped right. If she chooses not to reach out, the match is lost.

The intent here is twofold. One, to reduce the number of sleazy messages women have to deal with and two, to take the pressure off of guys. These factors give Bumble unique appeal to both genders.

Setting up an account is easier than Hinge as you only need to upload a few pictures and create an optional bio (no longer than 300 characters). One drawback is that it doesn’t give you the same match selection criteria that Hinge offers. That said, Bumble’s a great dating app for finding a soul mate. It has a comparatively mature and sensible crowd who are there to find a potential mate for a long-term relationship.

Interested in making new friends too? Try out the friend-finding side of the app – Bumble BFF. It’s free to start but they do offer monthly subscriptions with advanced features. Both Bumble and Bumble BFF are available on Google Play and Apple’s App Store.

eHARMONY

eHarmony uses a scientifc approach to matching singles. If you’re really serious about finding the right partner, this is the service for you. That being said, it does require a subscription fee.

You can use the app to review new matches, tinker with your profile and communicate with your matches. It’s another popular and easy-to-use platform to find a significant other. eHarmony mainly focuses on marriage and has a set of general questions in the form of a questionnaire. If you’re looking just for a hook-up, this is not the app for you.

3 Tips to Find a Suitable Match Online

With these top dating apps, making new connections with potential matches will be much easier. At the same time, it can be a challenging task to use these apps effectively. Here are three helpful tips to get you started mobile app dating safely:

Check the information you receive:

The ugly truth of this world is that people tend to lie about themselves. The same goes for the information provided on the dating apps, people like to fib about their height, weight, interests or even their entire identity.

You can run a check to look up whether or not the information you’re hearing from them is accurate. Search their email addresses, name or phone number using Spokeo. Your search may reveal their:

  • Marital status
  • Criminal record
  • Facebook or Instagram profile
  • Email address
  • Location details

Be open but don’t overshare:

Do your best to be open and honest about yourself, but at the same time try not to give too much info. Opening up is a crucial factor in making a connection, but you’ve got to save some of your personal talking points for the date itself!

Don’t fall for someone who has the looks but not much else. Spend the extra few seconds it takes to read each bio and the other information given on the profile to make sure they’re worth your time.

Don’t set expectations too high

You read it right. It’s better not to set your expectations too much while using a dating app. There’s always a possibility that the person turns out to be totally different in real life. So, don’t get attached to the other person too quickly and set your expectations too high as it may lead to disappointment.

Take some time, then follow your instincts.

Take a Chance on Finding Someone Special

Mobile dating apps are on the rise, making it easier and more convenient than ever to find your perfect match. They have become very popular in recent times as they take advantage of something that we strive for in almost every aspect of life: having more options.

There are more pros than cons, and if you are willing to take the chance, it could be the best decision you ever made. If you follow these simple and proven tips, you’ll have an exciting dating life in no time.