Are you thinking about signing up for a dating app and wondering if it’s worth it? As a guy in my twenties, I have tried online dating, and know many people who have used dating apps and have been succesful.
Nowadays, many dating apps are free, easy to use and super accessible. This has made online dating extremely popular and has completely revolutionized the way relationships are formed.
Which raises the question…
Are Dating Apps Worth It?
Dating apps are worth it as they are a great way to meet new people, date or hookup. The great thing about online dating is that the users get to choose who they want to match with. This makes it easier than ever for those who use dating apps, to connect with people they are attracted to.
In this post, I share the pros and cons of using dating apps.
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Pros of Using Dating Apps
1. Easiest Way to Meet New People
Dating apps are the easiest way to meet new people. On dating apps, you will have plenty of potential matches on the tip of your fingers.
The more dating apps you’re on and the more time you spend on dating apps, the higher your chances are of meeting the right person. Dating apps is the best way to start dating and meeting new people.
In the past, if you wanted to meet someone new, you’d have to go out to a bar, restaurant or club. Now, meeting someone new has never been easier since it’s an app on your phone.
Another great feature dating apps have (tinder platinum) is that you can change your location. If you have an upcoming vacation, you can change your location before hand, so you can get matches and plan dates in advance.
I have a friend who used this feature when he was traveling abroad and it was a great way for him to meet new people. His new friend showed him around her city and they went on a nice date together.
2. Possibility of Relationships
Believe it or not, many people use dating apps with the intention of getting into a serious relationship. For years, there has been a stigma about how dating apps are only for hookups. However, this just isn’t the case anymore.
There are many people who find the perfect match and they end up in a long-term relationship. Since online dating apps have been around for a long time now, there are tons of success stories of couples who got married because of online dating.
If you haven’t have any luck dating in real life, there is nothing wrong with trying a dating app. There are plenty of free dating sites that will give you a better chance of meeting new people and finding true love.
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3. Good Place to Get Dating Experience
If you’re looking to get dating experience, the best thing you can do is try dating apps. On dating apps, there will be plenty of single people looking to go on dates and find a real connection.
If you’re someone that just doesn’t have that much dating experience, using dating apps will give you the experience you need. Making the first move is a lot easier on a dating app since you can plan out what you’re going to say.
Overtime, you will get better at talking on dating apps your communication skills will improve, which will result in going on real dates.
Here’s a list of the best dating apps:
- Tinder
- Bumble
- Hinge
- Plenty of Fish
- Eharmony
- Coffee Meets Bagel
4. Can Build Confidence
Dating apps are a great way to build your confidence. If you build a good dating profile, you will get matches which is a major confidence booster.
It’s not everyday that you have plenty of people looking to chat with you. Fortunately, if you use dating apps a lot, you will get a good amount of matches and have a lot of potential dates.
5. You’re in Control
The great thing about dating apps is that you’re in control. You swipe right on who you find attractive, who you chat with, how far your matches are and who you decide to go on a date with.
Being in control of who you match with, is a really good way to connect with different people who have similar interests to you.
Naturally, you will have bad matches who you don’t get along with. If that’s the case, you can easily unmatch the person and you won’t have to talk again.
Related: 25 Things Guys Find Attractive in a Girl – Guys Perspective
6. You Can Chat with Multiple People at the Same Time
Since there are so many dating app users, you can chat with multiple people at the same time. On dating apps, your matches may not message you or answer you when you message them.
This is why it’s good that you can talk to multiple people at once. This way, you can have several conversations until you find the right person for you.
The down side of this, is that your matches are talking to other people as well. If you talk to someone you’re interested in, the best thing you can do is try to get their number so you’re not always talking on the dating app.
Related: How to Talk to Girls if You’re Shy – 8 Helpful Tips
7. Great For Shy and Nervous Daters
If you’re a shy or nervous dater and traditional dating is just not working, try dating apps. Since online dating is done over the phone or computer, it makes it much easier to get to know the person you matched with.
Once you get to know the person, you can always ask to meet in a public place. Overtime, you will become more comfortable and you will no longer be a nervous dater.
8. You Can Delete Your Profile Whenever
The great thing about using a dating app is that you can delete your profile whenever. If you try online dating and you don’t enjoy it, just delete your account.
Some users will pay for a premium subscription in order to have a higher success rate. When you cancel your account, you subscription will be cancelled as well.
If you’re using a free dating app, there really isn’t anything to lose. It’s worth trying and if you really don’t enjoy it, just delete your profile.
Related: 25 Inexpensive Gifts for Your Boyfriend that He’ll Actually Like
Cons of Using Dating Apps
1. Flakers
The reality of dating apps is there are a lot of people who will “flake”. Flaking is when someone makes plans with you and they don’t show up and they don’t answer.
When someone flakes, it can be a huge waste of time. Be to confirm you plans before meeting up with someone to avoid this.
Unfortunately, this is one of the major downsides to online dating. However, if this happens don’t take it personally as you’re not alone.
2. Hookup Culture
Unfortunately on dating apps, not everyone is there to date. There are a lot of people that use dating apps solely for the purpose of hooking up.
It’s important to let someone know what you’re looking for before meeting them. Whether you’re looking for a serious relationship or just to hookup, it’s better to let someone know your intentions.
The last thing you want is to get hurt because you were looking for something serious and the person you were talking to was not.
3. Toxic People
On datings apps, there will be toxic people. At time, people will make rude comments, make fun of your appearance or just be toxic.
If someone is treating you badly, you can either report them or unmatch them. This way, you don’t have to listen to their rude comments and you can continue looking for a proper match.
4. Dating Apps Are Based on Looks
It’s no secret that the most succesful people on dating apps are often the most attractive. When people are swiping, they are looking at your appearance and will very rarely read your profile.
Dating apps reward those who are more attractive as they will get swiped on more. That’s why it’s important to have good pictures of yourself and to put a little bit of effort into your profile.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to look like a model. However taking photos that show you in the best light with nice clothes are helpful. Of course, make sure they are recent and look like you in real life.
If all of your pictures are with filters, you with your friends or selfies, chance are you won’t get a lot of matches.
Related: 20 Gen Z Date Ideas (Cheap, Fun, Creative)
5. You Can Get Catfished
If you’re new to dating apps, a big issue is getting catfished. Catfished is when someone pretends to be somebody they are not or has old pictures where they look completely different.
If you’re scared of getting catfished, add the person on social media so you can see up to date photos. Another way to make sure you do not get catfished is to FaceTime with the person before you meet them.
I’ve had a friend go on a date with a girl from a dating app and when he showed up, the girl looked completely different from her photos. My friend was upset that he was not only lied to, but it was also a huge waste of time.
This is why it’s better to find have recent photos on your profile so there are no misunderstandings.
6. Time Consuming
Dating apps can be very time consuming. As someone who used dating apps in the past, I realized that the algorithm would reward you the more you use the app.
This means that if you’re swiping all day long, the chance of you getting a match are higher. The more time you spend talking to people on the dating apps, the more chances you have of getting a date.
If you just don’t have the time to spend on a dating app, maybe it’s not the best time for you to try online dating. Online dating is very time consuming and rewards those who spend a lot of time using the apps.
Related: How to Successfully Date in College? 10 College Dating Tips
7. Online Dating Can Be Costly
Although there are plenty of free apps for dating, many users will pay for premium features. Paying for a premium membership on the most popular dating apps, will give you a better experience.
Tinder gold, Bumble Boost and Bumble Premium cost extra money to unlock extra features. The features include unlimited swipes, unlimited likes, being able to change your location and more.
Paying for these extra features will increase your chances of getting daily matches and always have new people to talk to. This makes for a better user experience and is the easiest way to find your ideal match.
Since these online dating apps reward those who pay, it can be hard to get matches if you don’t spend money. This can lead to online dating becoming very expensive.
8. Dating Apps Can Attract Weird People
It’s no secret that there are a lot of weird people on dating apps. There have been cases of people getting harassed on social media because of the people they unmatched on dating apps.
If you’re using a dating app, do your best to avoid anybody who may seem a little off. On the most part, dating apps are a safe way to meet people.
However, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Be cautious and don’t include your social medias in your online dating profile. Plan a first meet up in a public area and take all usual dating precautions.
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Final Thoughts on Are Dating Apps Worth It?
If you’re debating on whether or not you should use a dating app, the best thing you can do is try it out. You have nothing to lose by using the free online dating apps and if it’s not for you, you can delete your account.
Nowadays, many people are use dating apps and it has become a very popular way to meet new people. There are many success stories of couples that meet on a dating app and end up getting married.
Online dating is somewhat new. However, it is only becoming more popular and is becoming a big part of the way people date in today’s day and age.
In this post, I shared the pros and cons of online dating.
Are you going to try using dating apps? Please let me know in the comments below.