Dating

Dating is the activity of pursuing romantic partners. Beyond that, however, dating can have various goals. Some people date to meet a serious partner, maybe a spouse. Other people date casually, hoping to meet a range of people. If not these, they may want to find sexual partners or "hook-ups." Since 2013, more straight couples meet online than any other way — like through friends or work. LGBTQ couples were early adopters of online dating, as it was usually more difficult to find a queer match in one's neighborhood. Today, dating apps are the dominant way people date. Popular dating apps include Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and OkCupid. Tinder is known as a "hook-up app" as users don't need to share much information about themselves, whereas OkCupid requires users to answer questions. Offline dating unsurprisingly took a decline during the COVID pandemic, so people had to rely on apps. Now that they can date in-person again, there are more options for meeting new potential dates.

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More Dating

AdultFriendFinder is a borderline-porn hookup site that's stuck in the past
By Mashable Editors
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What happens when your favourite TikTok couple breaks up
broken red heart with man and woman in the halves moving in opposite directions



Tinder will soon require IDs for a verification checkmark
screenshots of tinder prompts to verify profile with ID and/or photo

Netflix's 'One Day' explores the challenges of dating across the class divide
Dexter (Leo Woodall) and Emma (Ambika Mod) are both lying on grass in a park, both laughing.

It's easy to catfish strangers on dating apps
An illustration showing a woman holding a phone that's displaying an online dating profile. The man in the photo is a bulky, square jawed white man. However, the man is revealed to be a catfish in a blue shirt

How to have a successful double date
Two couples drinking tea, eating cake, talking in coffee shop

AI-written dating app bios are all the rage. Is romance dead?
A series of hands holding smartphones with an array of dating app profiles showing men and women's faces.

The best dating apps for introverts, wallflowers, and mindful daters
illustration of couple holding hands

The best free dating apps for budget-conscious singles
By Leah Stodart, Miller Kern, Bethany Allard, Tabitha Britt, and Stacia Datskovska
Man looking at a dating site on his phone

Does your partner really need to know your location all the time?
An illustration showing a woman holding her phone, with a location emoji on the screen, as a giant person looms large in the background peering over her.

Single and over 40? Here are the best dating sites for finding your match
An older couple cuddling on the couch


OkCupid review: A hip dating site that's way less lame than the competition
illustration of two people eyeing each other on the sidewalk while swiping through dating apps on their phones

Gen Z should embrace being cringe to find love, Hinge says
two people in robes and skincare face masks looking at the camera

Bumble launches AI tool to weed out scams and fake profiles
Bumble dating app logo on the App Store is seen displayed on a phone screen

How to start dating again after a break
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The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to know
 Frowning woman holds an oversize phone screen with a man's dating app profile open.

'Come with me on a first date.' The TikTokkers live-vlogging their love lives.
Gen Z couple holding hands through screen of smartphone


I've never had a boyfriend at Christmas and I couldn't be happier
Illustration of a woman kissing a gingerbread person.

11 of the best dating sites for men: Find a fling, committed relationship, or a hookup
By Leah Stodart
man swiping right

The best dating apps for lesbians and gay women
An illustration of two people gazing lovingly at each other


Best dating sites for seniors: Find love in your golden years
By Leah Stodart and Miller Kern
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