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When was the last time you struck up a conversation with a complete stranger at a bar, snared a boyfriend through a blind date or had a fling with some guy you met at a random concert? If the answer is not lately, it's no surprise. Everyone knows that the dating scene is online - unless you're willing to televise your quest for love and sign up for the second series of First Dates, in which case, bravo.
Whether you've been on online dates or have resigned yourself to the fact that you'll most likely die alone or worse, are considering allowing your mum to play matchmaker because Tom from next door seems like husband material , in , finding that perfect match is an art form. If you're tired of swiping right and ending up with another creep, Tinder isn't the only dating app out there, there's a huge variety of apps to choose from.
Dating may be tricky but most mobile apps operate the same way. Download the app, create a profile, upload some fabulous pictures, write an equally impressive bio and voila. But of course, not all dating apps are created equal; which is why we've turned to dating coach and relationship expert David Kavanagh as well as our in-house serial dater to give us their verdict on the apps that deserve to take up space on your home screen.
And if you've still feel hesitant about swiping right, more celebrities than you think have used their phones in pursuit of love. Tired of unsolicited dick pics and creeps pestering you for nudes? Then you need Bumble in your life. Created by former Tinder co-founder Whitney Wolfe, the ultimate female-friendly app lets women run the show. Billed as a safe, friendly rival to Tinder, this app works on the same premise: If both users swipe right, they match.
It's only the woman that has the opportunity to send the first message. If you match and don't say anything to a new connection within 24 hours, they're deleted for same-sex relationships, this works both ways. It's the perfect forum to end online harassment. In the words of Wolfe: Also good to know: A dating app that reduces the chance of harassment?
I really like the idea of this app because it creates a safe environment for women online. It's also the perfect opportunity for women to take control. I find that women are more cautious when it comes to initiating contact but this could be the perfect way to eradicate the 'damsel in distress' attitude, where women are seen as 'needing a man' to take the lead.
I would never chat a guy up or ask for someone's number, I couldn't deal with the rejection, so this was way out of my comfort zone, but I did love the fact that I had all the power. I've often had men abuse me on Tinder for not responding quickly enough to a message or turning them down for a date, but on Bumble, it's a completely different vibe - the men on here are of a whole different calibre. It will definitely encourage me to make the first move more often and it is empowering to be in the driving seat for a change. Have you ever seen Mr Dreamy on the bus only for him to get off three stops before you, vanishing forever?
While you're usually all about female empowerment, you're not wearing the right shoes to chase him down the street to exchange numbers, or you know, tell him he's The One?
Dejected, you can't help but think Mr Right is now untraceable - there goes your happy ever after. Enter Happn, the app which finds the people you've crossed paths with throughout the day. Half creepy and half ingenious, the app uses GPS tracking to present you with a list of people you've come into contact with.
Every time you cross paths with someone in real life, their profile shows up on your timeline.
Happn allows for conversation only when you've both liked each other and you match. This sounds like every stalker's dream, I'm not sure I would be convinced of its safety features, but it is a good way to make contact with someone who you've been eyeing from afar. If you're the shy type, this app is the perfect buffer, if not, ditch the app and start conversation in the real world. Because the app is proximity-based, it also make things easier when it comes to setting up the date. I loved the idea of this app, every morning on my way to work I crossed paths with the same guy, but I was never brave enough to ask him out.
As soon as I signed up we matched and we're about to go on a first date. The only downside is that my ex-boyfriend lives nearby so it's like he's literally always on my radar.
If you're plugged into the dating scene online, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the volume of matches and messages you get on dating apps. Sometimes there are so many, scrolling through the mundane deluge of 'Hi, how is your day going,' can seem like a complete chore. Once solves that problem by providing you with one match per day. The app combines digital dating technology and a team of human matchmakers, generating a specifically hand-picked match every day. You have 24 hours to decide if you like each other - if you match, you can go from there.
If not, there's always tomorrow's suitor to look forward to.
In today's fast-food world of dating, it's the closest thing to romance on the market. I like the fact there is an external human element to this app. According to the Happn founder, the app is supposed to be recreating the serendipity of real life. The app shows you a list of the people you have passed while going about your business and then you have the option to like or dismiss them, never to be seen again.
Your Happn profile is a selected nine pictures along with a bio.
Also, because the profile is not linked to Facebook or Instagram, the level of veracity is reduced. Register today and find someone you truly suit on EliteSingles. Not only is there no sex but there isn't even any hugs, kisses or touching. Making a memorable first impression with your dating profile gives you the best chance possible in finding lasting love. If you're plugged into the dating scene online, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the volume of matches and messages you get on dating apps. What you choose depends on your preferences. Old faithful Tinder is an app most people are familiar with.
It can be linked to your Instagram account and you can choose a song to represent your personality also. Bumble is another innovative app that again opens a chat channel between users who have mutually liked each other, however on this app, the female must open the conversation, send the first message, and if no reply is sent in 24 hours, the match disappears. The app also has a find-a-friend function where you can meet and match a BFF through swiping right on a profile of six pictures with a small bio.
Old faithful Tinder is an app most people are familiar with. It allows you to match with people who have reciprocated your like. For those who are in it for the craic and like the bit of mystery involved in meeting new people and working out your shared intentions, there is a handy little feature where groups of people can match up to go for a drink. People are matched the same way as prospective lovers, by both parties swiping right, indicating an interest in meeting up.
It is a location-based app where you can match with people close by or within a specified proximity range. But by paying a small premium, you can avail of Tinder Plus, which allows you to match with people in a chosen location. This is handy if you are about to head on holidays or moving to a new place and you want to get to know people in the area before you arrive.
Plenty of Fish is another dating site that has moved with the times to provide a more modern approach. The app is not as intuitive to use as Tinder and you can receive messages from anyone who takes a fancy to your profile, which can be annoying at best and unsettling at worst. Also, because the profile is not linked to Facebook or Instagram, the level of veracity is reduced.
Catfishing, where a person uses fake photos as their personal identity, is not unheard of on the site and caution is advised if a Justin Bieber lookalike hits you up for a chat. As an avid user of online dating apps, I think the best advice you can get is to take it all with a pinch of salt.