Why are dating apps so popular despite everyone claiming to hate them?

[Anonymous]

[OlderAndWiser]

I don't hate dating sites.

From 2007-2008, I used match, POF, and a now defunct church dating site. I found several good women and had a seven year relationship with one of my matches. In 2015, I used match and POF. I had a two year relationship with a great woman. In 2017-2020, I used POF, Bumble, and zoosk; I dated several nice woman, and eventually found the woman who became my wife in April, 2024.

Younger guys either don't understand online dating or they they have unreasonable expectations. Their reliance on texting and messaging through social media has impeded the development of their social skills and they don't use online dating appropriately, so they don't get good results. Then they blame the dating site rather than themselves.

No, I am not out of touch with younger people. I am an advisor to 30 young men at the local state university and I have frequent contact with them and their girlfriends.

[Asker]

I specifically asked about dating apps

[Asker]

If everyone is blaming dating apps, doesn't that imply that the apps aren't designed for the everyday user?

[OlderAndWiser]

Dating apps and online dating sites are the same thing.

People who don’t have success go online and complain. People who have success aren’t online talking about how good it is because they are busy with their relationships. So all you hear online is complaints.

[OneViewpoint]

I think the idea of a virtual meeting place where you can shop for a date from your couch appeals to a lot of people. Especially people who struggle in face to face social interactions. And it's a great place for players to find ways to get laid or for attractive women to get a free meal and drinks. But the shine quickly comes off the new toy and people realize it's a raging dumpster fire of lies and damaged people. At least that's what I found. Been there done that. It was only valuable for the insights into human sociology. But like any social media it wasn't worth the effort ultimately.

[beenherebefore]

They are popular because is very easy to see who's out there and gives you the false impression that there are loads of choices. A lot of people including myself hate them because most people who use them are not looking for serious relationships. I actually matched with my current partner on a dating app, it's been nearly three years and going strong.

[Nikki1989]

Most people, especially women, use dating apps for shits and giggles. They can be good for a laugh. Hardly any people take them seriously, and those that do probably belong in therapy.

[Chazmatazz269]

Same reason as get rich quick schemes and diet fads never go out of style.
Most people refuse to do more work than they actually have to do. Which is perfectly reasonable until they realize that the work they are doing isn’t getting the results they want or expect. Decades ago that would lead to people changing what they're doing or how they’re doing it. Now it mostly leads to people complaining and portraying themselves as victims of circumstance.

[AviatorTom]

Because not everyone hates them. Some people do hate them, others enjoy them.

[Anonymous]

i have been on dating apps for almost 10 years. I quit a few years ago. It took me almost 10 years to realize this: most people who use dating apps tend to be those who can't get dates in real life.

2 biggest reasons: lack of social skills/ or social life. Or you can't get anyone from real life. Or you're just plain weird.

[Asker]

Does that cover every situation in which someone would struggle in dating?

[Opinion Owner]

I would say that it spans probably around 85% of the people you meet on there.
Very popular for awkward people, weird people, unlikable people, perverts looking for sex, immature people looking for attention.

[Opinion Owner]

introverts tend to go on dating apps the most. because they tend to lack social skills and just hate meeting people.

[NicholasRedone]

Lol then lady - why, are you one of those folks? I mean man to woman here asking lol "the obvious" - "one of us, one of us" lol 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[Opinion Owner]

@NicholasRedone

I was in school, never had the time to look for dates. I became physican assistant by the time I hit 29.

[NicholasRedone]

So you're like a medical person now and you're 29 now in 2025? Or have you lost me lol 😆

[NicholasRedone]

If so, must be long hours and hard to meet people lol unless not single. Say, does your medical education dictate how you view things that are more gritty raw from birth control to condoms to a clean partner - or minimally. Hell usually medical folks are germ freak. I should know, I'm a germ freak. I had a past "health job" once - I loved gloves

[Opinion Owner]

@NicholasRedone

Medical field is harder and the job sucks a lot more unless you are a doctor. Liability is huge too. Its unlike any other field.

[hahahmm]

I remember when dating sites first became popular and it came out back then how the leading sites were lying about how many members they had, paying actual hookers to pretend to be site members and go on dates with dudes to get PR, posting tons of fake profiles and so on. I wouldn't be surprised if they still do that stuff... except now the average woman is more like the hookers used to be so...

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Why are politicians so popular despite everyone claiming they hate them? Looks like the same case to me. People hate something yet they want to use it, or be used by it. It's not incompatible until it is?

In the case of dating apps, I think the urge surpass the hate, because those apps tap into our need to find love without, in appearance, not many efforts associated. But any institution is a game with implicit rules, ignoring them is probably not gonna be a bliss

[truecrimelover1999]

Tbh I just go on them for something to do. It would be nice to meet someone but I don’t go on them expecting that. Not sure if any straight men on here would agree but they’re not great for my self confidence as I never really get any matches even if I swipe daily on Tinder, Bumble, Badoo and Facebook dating. And when I do get matches, the conversation rarely goes anywhere. However it seems to pay off in the end as both my relationships have been girls I’ve met online

[conanbdetective]

Back in the day, people used to say "I hate going to the club/bar" but they went anyway because it was packed with people. It's the same with dating apps.

[Zack-Bann]

The haters are loud
Most regular people don’t make a big deal out of an app on their phone


They just use it and forget about it

[Anonymous]

Because most people find them to be an easy way to meet people. My friends and I are mostly in college, so we don’t really need them yet. That could change if we find ourselves single in our twenties.

[NicholasRedone]

Cues singing voice 🎶 🔊 "desperat-ionnnn!!!" - sung in Gene Wilder's Wonka voice 🎥🍫

[NicholasRedone]

Desperation, people out there - basically why 🤳🏻📱 lol

[strateguy632]

Probably people feel desperate or lonely. Or want a one nighter.

[LiverOfLife]

Becauae they are used by men. Men run the world.

[DrPepper12]

Because we're trapped in a capitalist dystopia where TIME is the wage price no one talks about...

[Jeff51]

Might be a good option if you don't like hitting on women at clubs and such. My friend tried he and only got a few 1 nite stands but nothing serious.

[SotiCoto]

Because it isn't the same "everyone".

[Ironic_Method]

Because I'm an introvert and hate going out to meet people.

[Anonymous]

I tried them, didn't work, so I'm not using them any more.

[MemeSupreme]

they're fun to slide through

[Anonymous]

Why dows gag still exist?

[blackeagle007]

It’s an std maker

[Godihateyou]

They aren't.