With most of the country still under social distancing orders, more people than ever have flocked to dating sites to meet new singles. Reports all the way back in March have noted higher numbers of users on dating apps, like Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble.
And this trend has only continued into May. But what can new users expect to see on dating apps during quarantine?
Here are some of the top trends that are being seen on dating apps right now:
COVID-19 testing results top the charts
The hottest trend in dating right now? Listing your health status on your Tinder profile.
Now that more people are able to access COVID-19 antibody tests, a growing number of users have begun showcasing their health on their dating apps. With so many people concerned over the virus, it makes sense that you would want to ask your potential date if they currently have the virus.
However, health officials note that this doesn’t mean people are immune in the long-term. Social distancing precautions must be taken seriously to avoid the threat of future infection. On top of that, users can always lie on dating sites if they’re eager for a hook-up or looking for a way to break the monotony of quarantine.
Luckily, singles are still wary to hook-up with strangers online out of fear of the virus. When half of all marriages end in divorce anyway, more people are waiting for the right person to come along to leave the safety of their home.
Video dates are booming
Recent reports from the Chicago Tribune have noted an explosion in the number of people going on virtual dates. While many people would have never thought to date via video chat before quarantine, the new global circumstances have led to a 470% increase in the number of virtual dates on FaceTime and Skype.
Users have become more comfortable with the idea as quarantine restrictions have drawn on. Dating virtually gives an additional layer of safety for folks who aren’t ready to meet up yet, especially with a pandemic going on. With video dates, singles are able to get a better feel for another person without putting themselves at risk. While there are technical challenges associated with solely online dating, including zoom fatigue, more people are viewing these dates as a viable alternative to meeting IRL. If you’re not interested in a virtual date right now, you might want to take a break from the apps.
Dating internationally has a growing appetite
More dating apps have also allowed singles to match with other users across the globe. Most of these apps already offered the ability to do so, but at an additional fee. Now that apps like Tinder have loosened the reigns on the boundary parameters, people around the world are swiping in places they have never even visited.
Of course, this can be a double-edged sword for people hoping to meet up once social distancing guidelines begin to lax. Unless you’re willing to shell out for expensive plane tickets, extra-long distance relationships may never culminate in a face-to-face meeting.
Safety first
Of course, it’s still being recommended that folks wait to meet up with their matches in person. On top of that, users should still exercise caution with new dates when meeting for the first time.
Just like you would meet in a public place on a first date before quarantine, social distancing can still take place in parks and other public areas as long as safety precautions are executed. After all, home burglaries still take place every 13 seconds throughout the United States, though these numbers are likely lower as a result of quarantine as well. Exercise caution and stay safe, even if you have been talking to your match for a few weeks (or months!).
