- Tinder has its issues, but it is the most popular dating app out there. If you want to play the numbers game and reach the largest number of people, Tinder's the place to do it.
- OkCupid is one of the most popular dating apps around for a good reason. It has tons of users, and it has a more traditional approach to dating. The app will ask you a number of questions in order.
- Best dating apps of 2021 Valentine's Day is practically here! While all the single folks take a moment to sigh loudly, let us remember there is still time to find love (or even something casual.
Dating apps that gamify the dating process are understandably popular right now — like XO. The idea of the app is that you and your match play a game together, which works as a natural icebreaker. In the United States, Tinder and Bumble are the dating apps with the largest user base. Because these two apps are so popular, you’re more likely to run into others who are ethically.
It goes without saying that your opening line has the potential to make or break a match on a dating app. If you totally knock it out of the park with a cute or clever opener, you can not only land a date, but also spark some flirtatious vibes from the get-go. No pressure or anything, right? If you're feeling uninspired (or just tired of using the same ol' conversation starters), fret not: There are a slew of opening lines to use on dating apps in 2020 that will make a stellar first impression.
There's an art to crafting the perfect opener. For one, you want to be yourself — that's the only way to tell if you have a genuine connection with someone. It's also a good idea to scope their profile and look for little tidbits worth commenting on, like the fact that they traveled somewhere that's on your wanderlust wishlist, or have an interesting tattoo. Be on the lookout for anything you have in common — if you both majored in child psychology, quoted Dwight Schrute, or live for folk-rock music, those are all things you can point out in a smooth opening line.
Ultimately, a winning first message is unique, easy to respond to, and makes the recipient smile, laugh, or smirk (or some combination of the three). Here are a few foolproof lines that are bound to stand out in a sea of matches and messages.
1. 'Pop quiz: What are your thoughts on pineapple pizza? No pressure, but this could seal our fate.'
2. 'I think there's something wrong with my phone... because I can't find your number in it.'
3. '[Insert GIF of Titanic splitting in half] An icebreaker. There, I did the thing.'
4. 'In case you were wondering, dad jokes are the way to my heart. Anddd fire away! The cornier, the better.'
5. 'Two truths and one lie — go. Fair warning: I'm pretty good at this.'
6. 'Looking for the Pam to my Jim [or Rachel to my Ross]... know anyone who might be interested?'
7. 'I have this rule where I only talk to strangers on the Internet about pizza. So, thin crust or deep dish?'
8. 'You can tell a lot about a person by their Netflix queue. So, what's the last thing you watched?'
9. 'I'm going to make this real easy. If you want to make me swoon, send me the best animal GIF you can find.'
10. 'Be honest: Did you swipe right for me or my fur baby?'
11. 'What size bowling shoes should I get for you? You know, for our date at the bowling alley this weekend.'
12. 'If you were a vegetable, you'd be a cute-cumber.'
13. 'If you were a fruit, you'd be a fine-apple.'
14. 'When your mom told you she wanted the best for you, I'm pretty sure she was talking about me.'
15. 'My grandparents met on [insert dating app name], so I'm feeling really good about this.'
16. 'I've heard that flattery will get you everywhere, so has anyone ever told you that you look like [insert celeb's name]?'
17.'I don't mean to brag but I happen to be really good at overthinking my dating app messages. What about you?'
18. 'Wanna send memes back and forth until we finally feel comfortable enough to meet up IRL?'
19. “I’m from the future and we need to be together because our child will achieve world peace.'
20. 'Let’s just skip to the important stuff: Chunky or smooth peanut butter?'
21. 'Sorry it took me so long to message you, I was at Trader Joe's trying to figure out what to buy you for breakfast.'
Benbrook Popular Dating Apps
22. Serious question. Best invention: tacos or [insert dating app you matched on]?'
23. 'Here's my life story in five emojis. I'd love to hear your interpretation of that. Better yet, what's yours?'
24. 'I call big spoon. Is that gonna be a problem?'
25. 'Real talk. Is that actually your cute dog or did you borrow him for bait? (BTW, it's totally working).'
The best part of dating apps can also be one of the most frustrating. There are new apps being made available every day, claiming to be 'the relationship app' or 'the hookup app.' Despite the marketing, a seemingly endless number of people use these apps for so many different reasons, from those who are new to a city and looking for friends to show them around, to those who are set on finding true love online. What women are looking for on dating apps varies from woman to woman, and is completely dependent on where she is in her life and what her current priorities are.
While I'm a big advocate of being honest about what you're looking for in relationships early on, people aren't always 100 percent sure of what they want. Even if a person says they're looking for more than just a hookup, that doesn't mean they're really ready to commit. Take it from these women; even if you are upfront about why you're on dating apps, not all of your matches are guaranteed to be as straightforward.
Finding someone on a dating app who is looking for the exact same thing as you are isn't always easy, but it's definitely worth it. Here's the honest truth about what six single women are really hoping to find on dating apps.
This woman is looking for a more serious relationship.
In the past, I used [dating apps] to find friends with benefits. Good sex and a bit of charisma, at the very least. Now however, I use them to try to find a more serious relationship, and even though I advertise that on my profile (and ask men looking for hookups to swipe left), I still get a ton of men who match with me and try to just have a hookup-based relationship. Several dudes in the recent months have initially acted like they, too, wanted relationships, but then revealed within weeks that they just wanted casual sex.
— Olivia, 27
This woman just wants to meet someone she can have fun with.
I recently moved to New York, so I don’t have a lot of expectations just yet. The city is new and so are the people. So if and when I decide to actually commit to a dating app, I really am looking for someone to just have fun with, whether that ends up being a hookup, a short fling, or something more serious.
— Carley, 23
This woman wants to find a boyfriend.
I have profiles on Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge. What I’m looking for depends on my mood, but ... I do want a boyfriend. I’ve gone on a couple dates and actually ended up 'talking' to someone [from a dating app]. Things didn’t work out, but it was nice to bond with someone.
— Tara, 25
This woman is searching for a friend with benefits.
I’m looking for something more serious than a one night stand, but less serious than a relationship, partially due to the fact that I'm leaving the area and don’t want to get attached to anyone. I haven’t been successful, because I feel that most guys [on dating apps] are looking for a one night stand. I kind of see it as a friends with benefits or no strings attached situation. It’s the best of both worlds: no constant texting, no dates, no holding hands or mushy things, but still friendship with sex.
— Ana*, 23
This woman wants a serious relationship.
I got into online dating after a seven-year relationship ended. After I turned 27, I realized that I'd pretty much maxed out all my social circles — basically, I knew my friends' friends, I'm not in a workplace where I meet a lot of people my age — and that if I wanted to meet new people it'd have to be through an app. I've had multiple successful relationships with men I've met via dating apps, and it's why I'm using it again right now. I'm looking for a serious relationship. I don't advertise that, but depending on which app you use, it's pretty safe to assume that people I'm matching with are looking for the same thing. In the past I've looked for casual relationships or a serious relationship and I've found both via dating apps. Some of these relationships that I had on dating apps have now turned into friendships. In a perfect world, I wouldn't have to use dating apps and I could meet people organically, but that's just not my reality right now.
— Sara, 29
This woman is open to anything, but eventually hopes to build to a relationship.
I am on a few dating apps and generally have the outlook of being open to anything, with the goal of building to a relationship. I have talked to several people on the apps and have met with some in person (the ones I seem to gel with the most). I think especially at a younger age, people are less looking for a relationship which is understandable, but can be discouraging. I’ve just gotten back in the game because I stopped for a while. It was just getting tiring. My advice? Don’t resort to just one app. Try many.
— Sidney*, 24
It's easy to get dating app fatigue when you aren't totally sure what you're trying to find. Knowing what you want to get out of using a dating app is the first step to actually meeting someone whose preferences align with yours.
*Name has been changed.
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Benbrook Popular Dating Apps 2020
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