Online dating isn’t just for cyber-adventurous millennials — Gen Z, Gen Y, and even boomers are signing up for online dating apps in droves. The modern dating scene is as fragmented as it is expansive. There are niche sites for avid skiers, wine aficionados and even those who love nothing more than a good book. But which one should you sign up for? Which site has the right people for you? And how do you know if the person in front of you is real or catfishing? With so many options available, the best way to find an online dating site that’s a good fit is to understand what makes each site unique from another. Each platform appeals to a different type of user with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. If a site isn’t your cup of tea from the get-go, that’s OK! There are plenty of other fish in the sea…
Who’s Using Online Dating?
While it’s true that many different types of people use online dating, the majority of those who do are in their mid-thirties and up. This is because younger singles are usually too busy finding partners the old-fashioned way: through friends, work, and school. Most of the people who actively choose to sign up for an online dating service are looking to expand their social circle and find a lasting relationship. Many are simply looking to find friends or are going through a divorce and want to be cautious while they heal. There is also the percentage of people who are looking to date multiple people simultaneously, often referred to as “poly daters”. This is often because they are unsure of what they are looking for, or because they are prioritizing their careers or families and don’t have the time to be exclusive with one person at a time.
How to Find the Best Online Dating Site for You
To find a site that you’re likely to have success on, you need to find a site that appeals to your demographic and that has the type of people you’re looking to meet. To do this, you’ll need to understand what makes each site unique from another. Each platform appeals to a different type of user with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. If a site isn’t your cup of tea from the get-go, that’s OK! There are plenty of other fish in the sea. Let’s start with the most important factor: age. If you’re over 35, you’re going to want to be on a site where the majority of members are in your age group. If you’re younger, you can be more flexible. Age is a big factor in online dating because it helps you figure out what type of people you are likely to meet.
The 5 Best Online Dating Sites
The best online dating sites are the ones that have the right people for you. Luckily, there are a lot of great options out there, and you can find one that’s right for you. Let’s go over some of the best sites that are out there now, their strengths, and who they appeal to most.
Match.com – The original and still great, Match.com is one of the most well-known dating sites. It’s where a lot of people start, and there’s a reason for that: It is one of the most flexible sites out there. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for long-term love or just friends, Match.com can help you find it. It was among the first online dating sites and has a large and successful user base to prove it.
eHarmony – For Crisps and Geminis, eHarmony is a fantastic site for those who are looking for long-term commitment. This is for people who have been hurt in the past and are looking for a site that has a methodical approach. If you’re very specific about what you want or are on the more serious end of the spectrum, eHarmony can be a great choice.
OkCupid – Finding Partners with Data, OkCupid is one of the most flexible sites out there. It has the largest pool of people, so if you just want to date, you can. If you’re looking for something more serious, OkCupid has a huge list of questionnaires you can take to find someone who is compatible with you. It is used by a large number of millennials, which makes it a good site for younger people who are looking to date within their age group.
Tinder – Hook-Up Culture Comes to Online Dating, Tinder is the most casual of casual dating sites. It’s perfect for those who don’t want to put a lot of time or effort into finding their next partner. It’s great for people who are looking for a hook-up or something short term, but it might not be the best for those who are looking for something longer term.
Bumble – Girls Run the Show! Bumble is like Tinder, except that women have to message first. This is great for people who are tired of being hit on by creepy or overly aggressive people, but it’s also good for women who are new to online dating and don’t want to feel pressured to make the first move. Bumble is used by many millennials and younger people, making it a great choice for younger daters.
The best online dating sites will have a large user base. This is crucial because you want to ensure that there are plenty of people on the site that you’d want to date.
Match.com – The Original and Still Great
Match.com is the original dating site. It’s been around since the early 2000s, so it has a ton of users and a ton of features. This is great if you want to find a long-term relationship or just a friend. It’s also great for people of all ages and genders. This site has a ton of ways for you to filter the people that you’re looking for. For example, you can filter by height, education, sexual orientation, and even ethnicity. This way, you know what you’re getting into from the beginning and can find people who are a good match for you.
eHarmony – For Crisps and Geminis
eHarmony is a site that is specifically for people who are looking for long-term relationships. It has a detailed matching system that takes your personality into account and matches you up with people who are compatible with you. This is great if you’re on the more serious side and want a relationship that will last. This site is also great for people who are very specific about what they want. There are tons of features so that you can make sure that you’re only dating people who are compatible with you in a way that makes sense to you.
OkCupid – Finding Partners with Data
OkCupid is a site that is great for people who are more casual. You can fill out questionnaires to find someone who is compatible with you in a ton of ways. You can also just use the normal search function to find a match. If you’re looking for something casual, this site is perfect for you. It has a large user base and isn’t too focused on relationship terms. This makes it a great site for all kinds of people, but it’s especially good for younger people.
Tinder – Hook-Up Culture Comes to Online Dating
Tinder is a site that is focused on casual relationships. If you’re looking for something long-term, this site is not for you. This site is perfect for people who are looking for a one-time thing or for people who are just wanting to find a friend with benefits. This site is great for millennials and younger people who are looking for something casual. It’s easy to use and doesn’t have a lot of complicated features or terms. It’s focused on making it easy to find a one-time partner, which is great for people who are casual about dating.
Bumble – Girls Run the Show!
Bumble is a dating app that works like Tinder, except that women have to message first. This is great for women who are new to online dating.
