One would think that COVID would affect online dating just as it did in-person socialization, but the situation is quite opposite. According to the 2021 article “How COVID Has Changed Online Dating—And What Lies Ahead” by Brenda K. Wiederhold, the dating sites show a rise in traffic. Namely, OkCupid experienced 700% more dates, Tinder had 3 billion swipes in one day, and Bumble’s video calls say 70 increase.
However, the same article states that experts believe online dating won’t falter even with vaccination and lessening of preventive measures because of convenience. Now, video calls have replaced meetings in the real world and made it more comfortable to test whether there’s chemistry and compatibility before an in-person date. So, this may be the perfect moment to try one of the best dating sites if you are looking for real relationships.
Hinge
If you have trouble with opening up, Hinge is a perfect dating site to use as an icebreaker. This app also owes its popularity to being entertaining with funny prompts (besides the serious ones) when filling in your profile. It allows users to “heart” each other’s profile details, as well as comment on them, turning it into a conversation starter.
In the beginning, Hinge was intended to match you based on mutual friends on social media. However, it changed that and now it’s considered the best icebreaker platform for adult online dating. To make your profile interesting, choose more funny prompts and let good humor match you to your potential partner.
Silver Singles
Unfortunately, people over 50 have a hard time getting back into the game, mostly because they are worried they are too old for that. However, the Silver Singles app will prove them wrong, since it only accepts members 50 and above years old.
This dating site uses personality tests for matching and finding real relationships. That said, this is not a dating app for those who are interested in casual dating, although not forbidden. If you want to make it clear to others you are looking for a long-term relationship, it’s best to say so outright in your profile.
HER
Intended only for women in the LGBTW+ community, HER has over 4 million members and is one of the best gay dating sites out there. One of the best things about this app is that you can have an as detailed profile as you want, including adding diet, astrological signs, and most importantly pronouns. HER is not only about dating but also announces queer events near its members and acts as a social media platform.
This dating site is dedicated to promoting 17 sexualities and 18 gender identities, allowing everyone to find people who identify the same as them. Membership for the premium version starts at around $15, but you can have a free profile and still find the right person.
Hornet
If you are looking for lasting gay matchmaking in New York, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, and other places in the world, Hornet is an app for you. Over 30 million users worldwide join Hornet to find a perfect man to be in a real relationship. Hornet is not merely a dating app, but also offers useful advice on its website, from beauty tips to the best places to have a dinner date.
Moreover, its social-app features allow users to meet each other more comfortably before deciding to take the next step. The good news is that the app is free, but if you want premium features you will have to pay around $10 for it.
Coffee Meets Bagel
A dating app with an unusual name, Coffee Meets Bagel, is intended for those who want more casualness when meeting a potential partner. It gives you an opportunity to have online coffee with someone without any pressure, making it ideal for introverts.
Coffee Meets Bagel allows you to dedicate to one person at a time while giving you seven options per day (so-called bagels) that were selected for you with a matching algorithm. You have one week to contact your bagels, so you need to act quickly not to lose the momentum. The wonderful thing about this app is that it learns about you through your activities and includes that in search of your matches.
Lastly
You already know about Tinder, Grindr, and OkCupid, but there are much more dating sites that deserve the attention. While finding partners for real relationships is always challenging (global pandemic or not), online dating offers a completely new environment that makes everyone feel comfortable. So, pick an app that best suits you and give it a try.
