These dating sites are actually good for finding serious relationships

Vaccination rates are rising, we’re starting to step out into the world, and real-life dating is once again an option. The epidemic may have changed dating forever, but one thing it hasn’t changed is how difficult it may be to meet new people.

Most seasoned singles understand that there are two types of dating culture: hookup culture and actually-looking-to-date-for-a-long-term relationship culture. Most online dating sites are a mix of the two, and after 20 years of living with online dating as an increasingly common option, the general public now views dating sites as a completely normal way to find casual dates or hookups.

But what if you’re seeking for a long-term relationship? What if you simply don’t want to spend another Valentine’s Day alone? What if you’ve had enough of casual dating and simply want someone to come home to? What if you don’t know where to begin? Match and eharmony are probably the first two that spring to mind, but they’re not interchangeable — nor are they your only alternatives.

Can you really fall in love with someone online?

The long-term promise of internet dating is still shrouded in uncertainty. New evidence suggests, however, that relationships that begin online may have a better basis than those that begin outside. People who meet online are more likely to be compatible and have a better chance of having a healthy marriage, according to a 2017 study cited in the MIT Technology Review. If marriage is your aim, you’ll be pleased to learn that heterosexual couples who met online were more likely to marry than couples who met offline, according to a recent study. Whether it involves online dating or not, it appears to be a solid prescription for a pleasant, long-term relationship.

No one is claiming that online dating is the deciding factor, but the research suggests that those who sign up for dating sites that require thoughtful responses are more likely to settle down.

Enter the epidemic, which made it illegal to invite strangers over to bang and leave. Due to boredom or the forced understanding that it’d actually be pretty great to spoon on a nightly basis, the rise in dating app sign-ups in 2020 theoretically increased your chances of meeting someone wonderful.

Nature is healing as the light at the end of the nasal wipe tunnel approaches: Instead of the emergency video date features implemented by numerous applications during quarantine, first dates are returning to their original habitats (a dimly lit bar with stale beer). People are stocking up on non-sweatpants clothing. Summer romance has already begun to germinate among singles.

Covid, on the other hand, transformed dating forever, and not just because “I’m fully vaccinated” became a turn-on. In the year that most human connection was enabled through a screen, communication skills were forced to evolve. Early on, people learnt to express their limits and engage important conversations (such as regarding social distancing). Coronavirus fear has become a popular topic of conversation and a global method to connect. More single individuals may now feel more comfortable discussing deeper topics with someone they met online – which, if true, is wonderful news for serious relationship seekers. Tinder believes that once things are back to normal, the honesty will carry over, and that the aggressively horny people will continue to weed themselves out. At the very least, isolation may have made more people realize that they crave more companionship than a booty call. According to Tinder, more daters are willing to “see where things go” now than before the pandemic. That means you might have a better chance of finding something significant on a dating app that has a history of casual relationships and hookups.

What makes a dating site better for relationships than others?

Is it even necessary to discuss why Tinder is a long shot? Is it worth the cliché biographies quoting The Office or how they’re “not looking for commitment” to be introduced to practically everyone within a 10-mile radius? Sure, Tinder has its fair share of happy endings, but it’s also the place where ghosting, breadcrumbing, and every other depressing dating trend thrive.

Sites that only provide a limited number of matches per day may discourage singles hoping for something serious right away. However, using services that encourage you to be selective helps you focus on what you actually want in a perfect match — and brings you closer to cuffing status.

If you want to have the power to sift through the dating pool, look for thorough, high-energy profiles that give you a good picture of who you’re contacting. Swiping is influenced by the compatibility ranking provided by most dating sites, which estimates how well you and other daters will get along depending on how you both answered questions. You can also assess how serious other daters are about the process by looking at how much time and effort they put on their profiles. If someone’s bio consists of only a single statement about being drama-free, you can assume two things: 1. they don’t take this seriously, and 2. they generate drama.