Have you ever had a date with someone you met online?
You might be thinking, “Online dating is for weirdos!”
But seriously, don’t knock it ’til you try it’. Yes, there are some weirdos out there on dating sites, but if you’re careful and smart about it, online dating can be an incredible tool for finding love.
But can it be as simple as logging on, scrolling through profiles, and messaging people? Sure, but it takes more than that to make a successful match.
So what is it about online dating that makes it work?
This article will cover everything from why online dating works to what it is about the internet that brings people together.
Why Is Online Dating a Good Thing?
Online dating is a good thing because it allows you to meet new people without having to leave the comfort of your home. It also lets you spend hours learning all kinds of interesting facts about your potential date without having to worry about whether they’re going to call you again.
Sure, it’s not perfect. There are some awkward moments when you realize that the person you’ve been chatting with for three months is actually a catfish (or worse).
And hey, if nothing else comes out of your online dating experience, at least you’ll have something fun and unique to talk about on your next date.
11 Reasons Why Online Dating Relationships Work
Here are some of the reasons why online dating relationships work:
1. You Can Be Picky
You can be picky without having to look at the person’s face. You can only choose to look at people with specific interests, making it more likely that you’ll find a good match.
2. You Don’t Have to Worry About Your Expenses
You don’t have to spend money on a plane ticket or gas to meet someone for a date, and you won’t have to worry about them being upset if you cancel at the last minute because of work or family obligations.
3. You are in Control
You control the conversation and can take things at your own pace.
You can also choose to end things if you’re not feeling it without having to worry about hurting the other person’s feelings.
4. You May Have Multiple Options
After breaking up with his girlfriend, Matthew Perry, the Canadian-American actor, started using online dating platforms as he sought more options.
You can get more than one date lined up at once (and then spend your time comparing them all).
This means you’re less likely to get attached to one person too quickly and can take your time finding someone who is genuinely suitable for you.
5. You Can Have Your Time
You don’t have to worry about what anyone else thinks of how long it takes for you to respond to messages or calls or how much time has passed since your last response.
This is because most people will assume it’s just because they’re so incredibly busy!
It’s easier to lie about where you live and work when talking on the phone or via text message than if you were looking at each other in real life (although we highly recommend you start your relationship with the truth).
7. You Can Meet Your Soulmate
Mandy Moore and Taylor Goldsmith met online through Instagram and have been married since 2018.
It means the chances of meeting someone who shares all of your interests are much higher online than in real life (hello, niche communities!), and you might even find your soulmate.
8. You Can Remain Anonymous
If you want, you can keep your identity hidden until you’re ready to reveal it. This can be useful if you’re not quite sure about someone or if you’re worried about them finding out too much about you too soon.
9. You Won’t Be Judged!
You can browse through profiles without being judged by others. They will not be looking at your face and body language.
And, if it doesn’t work out, there’s no awkwardness because no one knows about it anyway.
10. You Can Be Yourself
When you’re meeting someone for the first time, it can be tough to gauge how they’ll react to the real you. But online, you can just be yourself without worrying about first impressions.
11. You Can Connect With People From All Over the World
With online dating, you can meet people from all over the world, which is great if you’re looking for a relationship outside your country.
Do Most Online Relationships Fail?
No, they don’t. And if you think they do, you’re wrong.
We know it’s hard to believe, but people are having more fun with their online relationships than ever before. It’s like we’ve reached a new era of human connection.
According to a Pew research center, 30 percent of Americans had used internet dating in October 2019, up from 11% in 2013. Of those, 12% have married or been in a committed relationship with someone they met through online dating—a significant rise from 3% in 2013.
When you meet someone online, it’s not like meeting them in person for the first time — it’s better.
You get to know them before you meet them, so there are no surprises when you finally meet them (if you choose to).
You already have a pretty good idea about this person and what kind of relationship works for both of you.
And that means that when something doesn’t work out, It doesn’t hurt as much because it wasn’t as big of a risk from the start.
So yeah, online relationships aren’t failing at all; they’re just getting better.
Is Online Dating Worse for Guys than it is for Girls?
Online dating is not a gender-neutral experience. While both men and women can find themselves dealing with the stigma of online dating, there are certain issues that men face more often than women.
This can make the process more difficult for them than it is for women who use dating apps.
This is because when you’re a guy, you have to initiate every interaction.
You have to be the one who sends the first message, asks for the date, and makes a move.
And if you don’t do all those things perfectly, you’re likely to get ghosted or rejected.
According to research, men swipe far more than women, and 0.6% of the time, they get ghosted.
But here’s the thing: even though online dating is tough for guys, sometimes it’s even tougher for girls.
That’s because when you’re a girl, you have to worry about being catfished, harassed, or even worse.
Researchers found that around one-third of female users face harassment and receive explicit messages even after rejecting the profile.
What Is the Success Rate of Online Dating?
Online dating has become a massive part of our culture, but how many of us know the success rate?
There were 44.2 million online dating users in 2022, which is expected to grow by 54 million in 2024.
According to a survey by the Pew Research Center in 2013, it turns out that only about 3% of online dating users fall into long-term relationships.
That’s right: 1 in 5 people who go on an online date end up getting married.
So clearly, something is going on here. In fact, researchers found that “there’s a rise in online dating users and three in ten US adults are using online dating apps.” That’s pretty incredible!
Click here to find a book to learn about online dating.
Cons of Online Dating
“They click their minds together to log into their soul’s account. But alas! “Hearts in error. Access denied. “
From the poem, Cyberly, by Munia Khan, To Evince the Blue
Online dating is not for the faint of heart. It’s a jungle out there, and if you’re not careful, you’ll get mauled by a bear.
So, what are the cons of online dating? We have a few:
You Can Waste a Lot of Time
You never know what kind of person might message you. If they say they’re “looking for love,” they may actually mean they’re just looking for sex.
You don’t want to waste your time with someone who isn’t really interested in anything but getting their rocks off, so make sure you’re careful about who you message.
People Don’t Look Like Their Profile Pictures.
People tend to use photos from when they were 20 years younger as their profile pictures, which means they look like total strangers when you meet them in person. This can lead to some pretty awkward moments.
You Might Get Catfished
This is when someone creates a fake profile and pretends to be someone else. They might use pictures from another person’s social media account or even steal someone’s pictures.
You Can’t See the Other Person’s Reaction.
The biggest drawback of online dating is that you can’t see your date’s reaction.
You can’t tell if someone is smiling because they’re genuinely interested in what you have to say or want to get out of talking to you as quickly as possible.
No Physical Contact
You can’t smell the person. Or hear them. Or touch them. That’s a lot of sensory information you don’t get with online dating, and it’s no wonder that many people feel like they’re “missing something” when they’re swiping right or left on their phones.
It’s Frustrating
For one thing, you’re trying to find someone whose profile matches up with yours, but all you get is a lot of people who are just not right for you.
And even when you do find someone who seems like they might be a good match, they could always turn out to be a total dud in person.
The Issue of Ghosting
There’s the ghosting issue. When you start talking with someone online, they just disappear without explanation. It’s annoying when it happens to you, mainly because most people don’t even realize they’re doing it until it’s too late.
You Might Develop an Online Dating Addiction
Just like anything else in life, moderation is key. If you find yourself spending hours upon hours swiping right and left, you might want to take a break.
It’s important to remember that online dating is not a replacement for real life—it’s just an extension of it.
It’s Not For Everyone
Online dating has its pros and cons, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re considering giving it a try, you should proceed with caution and take the time to get to know someone before meeting them in person.
You Might Get Scammed
There are a lot of scammersout there who are looking to take advantage of people who are looking for love. They might create fake profiles, use stolen pictures, and even ask for money.
If you’re ever asked for money by someone you met online, you should report them immediately.
Conclusion
Online dating is not only about finding a companion or soulmate. It’s about meeting new people and making friends.
It’s about breaking out of your shell and getting out there in the world.
However, it has its fair share of pitfalls. Be sure to do your research and stay safe out there!
