Navigating Dating Apps: Tips & Advice
Dating apps have made connecting with strangers easier than ever. At the tip of your fingers, you access to dozens of apps with thousands of people to swipe through. While the opportunity for connection is endless, the convenience of dating from your couch should be navigated with caution. Whether it’s looking out for catfish, determining a person's true intentions, or taking safety precautions when meeting- there is a lot to look out for on dating apps. Today, I will let you in on some tips and tricks to make your online dating experience easier to navigate.
Before Swiping
Before you even start swiping, check in with yourself. What are your personal dating goals and intentions? Do you know what your relationship deal breakers are? Making sure you have clear expectations of what you are looking for prevents you from bending your boundaries along the way. Create a profile that is authentic to you and your interests. Take advantage of prompts and use it as a way to showcase your personality!
Evaluating Profiles
The beauty of many dating apps is that they are very customizable. Most of the apps will allow you to see basic information such as age, occupation, hometown, interests, political views, religion, dating goals, and more. Apps like Hinge even offer a voice prompt which allow you to hear the person you are talking to. Take the time to analyze a profile in its entirety before deciding based off a picture. Does this person have interests and views compatible with yours? Do you see any immediate deal breakers? The effort a person puts into their profile can say a lot, so pay close attention!
Talking to Matches
Now that you have some potential matches, it’s time to start talking! Don’t be afraid to make the first move. Use their profile as a guide for to what to talk about. If they used prompts, reference one of their answers and make conversation about that. Ask questions about their hobbies, pay them a compliment, or if all else fails just say hi!
As the conversation progresses, take note of the energy and effort put into their responses. Are you the one asking all the questions, or do they seem equally interested? Make sure the connection feels authentic and if not don’t be afraid to move on to the next.
Outside the App
Now that you’ve found a connection with potential, it’s time to take it beyond the dating app. If you’ve exchanged numbers, it can be a good idea to text them for a few days or even schedule a call/FaceTime prior to meeting. Video calls are beneficial for your safety and can ensure the person you are talking to is who they say they are. Once you feel comfortable, schedule a time to meet in person!
Meeting Up
It’s always a good idea to meet in public for the first time. Choose an activity, restaurant, or area where other people are around. Before leaving for the date, share your location with a friend and tell them who you are meeting, along with when & where the date is taking place.
Scheduling a start and end time to the date can eliminate any obligation to stay longer. Two hours is the perfect amount of time to get to know someone without exhausting conversation and prevents lingering. Make it known that you have an obligation after the date or have a friend on standby to call you with an excuse in the case that you feel unsafe or want to leave.
Remember to relax and be yourself! The person you are meeting is most-likely just as nervous. Dating Apps can be overwhelming but by following these tips, navigating the dating app experience can be made a little easier.
