Relationships are being redefined by dating apps. It would appear that a significant number of users are merely using them to make connections—specifically, to talk to someone with no expectations.
To find love, more men and women are signing up online than ever before. This has its own benefits, drawbacks, and even peculiarities. The more players there are, the more options there are to choose from, but there are also more non-serious players with whom to negotiate.
Additionally, there is the issue of perseverance. Ask Pune-based software engineer Vaishakh Gulab, 29. In 2018, Gulab began using Tinder, but after several unsuccessful attempts, he removed it. He also tried three other options, but Tinder was the one that got him back. He planned to meet the girl in 2019 after finding a match. But that relationship broke down when Covid-19 started spreading. He met Shilpa, a trademark analyst who is now his fiancee, in October 2020.
According to Gulab, "Dating applications can get heavy and demotivating at times, but they can also surprise you." He believes they are beneficial for men who find it awkward to converse with women in person. That feeling is shared by many people. According to a recent survey conducted by the dating app QuackQuack, 29% of users over the age of 35 believe that these apps are the best way for introverts to express themselves because they provide them with a more comfortable environment in which they can do so at their own pace.
Gulab, like millions of young Indians, was actively using multiple dating apps from the virtual to the real world. How do these busy professionals know when they have a real connection, other than what the algorithms predict?
Because there is such a large pool of potential matches from which to choose, the interfaces of dating apps are more like lead generators. After two people match on an app, it is up to them to start a conversation and take it to the next level, which is a meeting in the real world. Users appear to have accepted that the possibility of meeting the wrong person and even occasional fraud is a part of the online dating experience. And despite these risks, these apps have been able to gain trust.
Hinge, the women-focused platform Bumble, and Tinder are among the world's most popular dating apps. However, new applications are added to the spectrum every few months. People of all ages, sexual orientations, and religious beliefs can choose from a wider range of options thanks to the growing number of applications—essentially increasing the likelihood of finding love.