Are People Actually Finding Long-Term Love On Dating Apps?
You don't have to look very far to find the seemingly endless tales of Tinder matches gone wrong. While dating apps are not for everyone, some seem to have luck when it comes to finding love online.
Recently, a Swiss team of researchers published a study that might change your mind about just how useful dating apps can be.
Dating Apps Have A Reputation For Being Filled With People Who Just Want To Hook Up
Dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Grindr have gained a reputation for being popular among people who are just looking to hook up.
As it turns out, that's not always the case.
A Swiss Research Team Published A Study That Suggests Dating Apps Work For Finding Long-Term Love
A research team in Switzerland published a study in the PLOS One Journal that found dating apps may actually be working as intended.
Specifically, for people who are searching for long-term love and commitment.
The Study Comes From The University of Geneva
The author of the journal, Gina Potarca, is a researcher at the University of Geneva in Switzerland.
She examined data from a family survey conducted by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office in 2018.
The Survey Analyzed A Sample Size of 3,200 People In Relationships
The survey was designed to find out more about intimate relationships that are formed online compared to offline.
The survey sample included 3,200 people above the age of 18. All of the subjects were in a relationship and had met their partner within the last year.
Couples Who Met Online Were More Likely To Want To Live Together
Potarca's examination of the data revealed some interesting trends.
Firstly, the couples who met online via dating apps were more likely to want to live with their partners compared to those who met organically (or offline).
Women Who Met Partners Online Were More Likely To Want To Start A Family
Secondly, the study found that women who met their partner on a dating app were more likely to want children and a family than those who met their partners in different ways.
Hopefully nobody is mentioning kids on the first date.
Couples Who Met Online Were Just As Satisfied In Their Relationship
Additionally, Potarca's analysis revealed that the couples who met on different dating apps were equally as happy as people who met in other ways.
Satisfaction in the relationship does not seem to be affected by meeting on a dating app. And why would it be?
So Why Are Dating Apps Becoming So Successful?
According to the study, there are a few reasons that app users are finding more success in the dating game.
One of the main reasons is that people have the ability to be a bit more choosy. It's easy to weed out potential matches who don't share similar interests or worldviews before ever meeting them in person.
Most People On Dating Apps Are Searching For A Connection
People on dating apps are really putting themselves out there and share a mutual motivation to meet someone.
Trying to meet someone organically at a bar or restaurant leaves a lot more up to chance and people may encounter folks not searching for a connection.
People's Profiles Reveal A Lot About Them As A Person
Additionally, the apps make it easier to "see" who you're meeting before you actually meet them, so there is usually no element of shock or surprise.
It's easy to measure whether it's even worth investing your time in someone just by glancing at their profile and seeing if you have anything in common.
There Are Tons Of Stories About People Locking It Down After Meeting On Dating Apps
The relationship success stories are out there if you look for them and it's not uncommon for people who met on dating apps to end up tying the knot in real life.
For what it's worth, even I met my partner on good old Bumble, and we've been going strong for over a year.
Don't Delete Your Dating Apps When You're Discouraged
In conclusion, according to Potarca's research, hitting "Delete" on those dating apps before you give them a good chance could be a mistake.
Today's modern society allows people to make lasting and meaningful connections that start online. With a little bit of patience, you could make a connection that carries into real life and the future.
