Online Dating 101: Choosing the Right Apps and Boosting Matches

Dear Listener, are you diving into the online dating world and wondering, What are the odds of dating apps working?According to a 2019 Pew Research study:23% of US singles find themselves a date online.A promising 10% report that they found a long-term partner online.In addition, a 2017 Stanford University survey found that 39% of heterosexual singles met via online dating, up from just 2% in 1995!Is it worth it to date online? It really depends, so listen now to hear our nuanced breakdown of the pros and cons.Let’s assume you’re ready to plunge into online dating and wonder, Which apps should I be on? We explore your options, including:Swipe-based apps like Tinder and Hinge.Algorithm-based sites such as Match.com and eHarmonyWe give you the low-down on why you might opt for one type of app over the other, which are the most popular, and whether niche dating apps are worthwhile.Jes addresses a common question for our dear male listeners: Are there any dating apps that work for guys? Spoiler: The answer is more about how you engage on the app than on the app’s demographics.We address how many dating apps you should use at a time and how much time to spend on dating apps.Are you already on the apps and not getting matches? We offer high-level tips on how to get more and better matches.  We’ll dive into more depth on profile, picture, swiping, and messaging tips in the next episode of this series.Lastly, we address a concern that we often hear from older singles – how to stay safe and avoid getting scammed or catfished when online dating.Key Takeaways00:00 - Intro01:30 - What are the odd of dating apps actually working?05:55 - Is it worth it to date online?12:51 - Which apps should I be on?19:04 - How many dating apps should I use at a time?21:59 - Are there any dating apps that actually work for guys?23:34 - Why am I not getting matches and how do I get better matches?32:16 - What can I do to avoid getting duped/catfished/scammed in online dating?38:34 - How much time should you spend on online dating?45:32 - SummaryResources and linksFor full show notes with links, visit relationshipcenter.com/podcastPew Research - From Looking for Love to Swiping the Field: Online Dating in the U.S.Disintermediating your friends: How Online Dating in the United States displaces other ways of meetingEp. 2 - What to Look for in a Long-Term PartnerWhat to Look for in Partner free guideEp. 5 - How to avoid online dating burnoutLove our show? We love you, too! Stay in touch between episodes by signing up for our newsletter at relationshipcenter.com/newsletter