Online Dating is a booming industry that has changed the way many people find partners. However, some researchers have raised concerns about the quality of matches made online and how easy it is to hide one’s true self from others. Source
Using an online survey, researchers have found that nearly three in ten Americans say they have used an online dating site or app, an increase of two percentage points from 2019. Tinder is the most popular site among American adults, with 14% saying they have used it. Match is the second most popular site, with 9% of adults saying they have used it. Other popular sites include Bumble, eharmony, Grindr and Hinge.
Online Dating Success Stories: Real-Life Examples
A review of the literature on patterns and motivations for online dating use suggests that most users are seeking casual relationships or serious commitments, but less than half are finding either (Gunter 2008; Corriero and Tong 2016). A number of studies have identified a relationship between longer-term online dating use and recreational substance use in conjunction with sex, though it is not clear whether these substances are used to enhance sexual performance or just as a means of self-medication.
In general, those who have found a long-term partner through an online dating site or app report that the person met their expectations or exceeded them (Sharabi, 2023). However, a majority of those surveyed also reported that romance scams are common on these platforms, and some people find it challenging to know how to recognize a potential scammer from a real person. To help combat these risks, experts recommend avoiding negative language in profile descriptions and focusing on what you want in a partner, rather than what you don’t.