Evolving Trends Dating Online: Speed, Blind, and Making Connections
By PAGE Editor
Online dating has evolved past what anyone could have imagined 28 years ago, not even the originator of the first app. There is more to it now, with people finding new ways to connect and form romantic relationships. In fact, love has become an industry, with many looking to exploit our need for companionship. So, how do we change the narrative from pouring our money into these platforms and achieving our desire to find love?
Romantic relationships have undergone a digital transformation. With our busy lives, shuffling work and family, and barely having time to enjoy hobbies like playing online casino games, there’s barely any time to make significant connections. Let’s explore how we can break the cycle of swiping right or left and actually making real and meaningful connections on these apps.
Why Do We Swipe Right?
You’re eager to make a match on Bumble or Tinder, so you hop on your profile and begin the never-ending cycle of swiping left or right. It all depends on the attraction or the interest. What if we told you there’s some psychology to it all? Subconsciously, we are hardwired to go with the flow. It’s why you spend lots of time searching for the right match and not necessarily conversing with your current matches. Perhaps you think there could be someone better, more attractive, taller, or just funnier. It’s all in the head.
There are many reasons why people turn to online dating for their romantic relationships. We can’t tell why you do it, but here are some common reasons.
Convenience: Everyone has increasingly busier schedules these days, so meeting people can take time and effort. Dating apps bridge this gap, offering a convenience and flexibility you didn’t even realize you needed. It doesn’t really matter how hectic your lifestyle is; surely, you can spend some time curating your profile, browsing other profiles, and connecting with people, all on your terms.
Wider Reach: Let’s assume you can find the time; there could be other constraints like geolocation, for instance. Technology now lets you connect with people worldwide, so location is no longer a barrier. Even if you can’t find someone that fits your preference, they’ll be somewhere waiting. Say hello to long-distance relationships. With the personalization these online dating pools offer, you’ll have better chances of meeting someone you’re compatible with.
Less Focus on Attraction
Physical attraction has its role in how we connect with people. Even without dating apps, we are more inclined to focus on how people look and whether we can get behind that. Everyone wants an attractive partner they can stare at all day and never tire. But that’s not all relationships are about, and the big bad bosses that create these apps are catching the memo.
In 2020, the Covid-19 lockdown forced us to be the most creative, and Blindlee hit the market, racking up a ruckus. This app had a single focus: blind dating, but really fast. The app revolutionized blind speed dating by offering a solution that merged Tinder’s style with Zoom video calls. You got to interact with other users who match your criteria, but only for three minutes. The videos are blurred, ice-breakers help you along the way, and you can choose to unblur the video as time passes gradually. After the time frame, you both decide whether you want to continue the conversation, and a match will be created.
Another fun app from 2020 is S’More, a dating app that withholds photos till fifteen messages are sent back and forth. You get hundreds of ways to customize your profile to attract similar people. Finally, there’s Tinder, who released a “Blind date” feature sometime last year. Users could connect with people solely through conversations, but the feature was discontinued shortly after. Some users reported setting up a mental image based on the chat but were majorly disappointed at their matches’ actual appearance.
The Future of Online Dating
Technology is advancing, and so are we. The one thing we can look forward to in this industry is more innovation. That could mean more creative ideas, better-trained AI and algorithms, and higher video quality and interactions. The primary goal is building more vital emotional intimacy, and we can’t wait to see the changes.
It’s a cut-throat world out there, even regarding finding love and companionship. There is no clear-cut pattern to getting into a relationship, especially off the internet, but hope remains. So here’s the pressing question: Would you go the blind dating way and focus on connections first, or is a physical attraction that feeds your eyes equally important?
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