Whether it’s the fact that we’re addicted to smart phone distraction, or if the photo-based hookups are actually as stimulating IRL as they are on our screens, Tinder is currently the hottest thing in online dating. As of March, the two-year-old dating app has made one-billion matches in just 18 months, according to CEO Sean Rad, and apparently, app users make 10-million matches and 750-millio swipes per day. So why is Tinder so successful? Here are a few ideas.
No time-consuming profiles
Tinder cuts out the most time-consuming / crazy-making part of online dating: coming up with the perfect profile. Instead, all you have to do is upload some pictures, and if you want, write an opening line and you’re ready to attract prospects. Sound shallow? Maybe, but no less shallow than approaching someone on the street because you think they’re cute, right?
It’s easy
Seriously – all you need to do is upload pictures and swipe through your matches. Tinder is super user-friendly. Also, itcan get pretty addictive. If you’re the sort to get hooked on smart phone games like Tiny Tower or Angry Birds, Tinder can become another handheld boredom cure. Except the characters are real people. Yeah, the internet is a strange place …
It’s an ego boost
Like all online dating, flattery from strangers is obviously an ego stroke, which can get addictive. On the same note, Tinder helps users steer clear of rejection – the app only connects people who have expressed mutual interest, so there’s protection from having contact with those who aren’t interested in us.
Avoid creepers
As Jezebel writer Katie Dries writes, the fact that "the only people who can message you are people you want to get messages from is especially appealing, given how dating sites like OKCupid let anyone contact you, upping the creep factor.” Tinder is, to be sure, likely to land you in less creepy conversations and is more time-efficient (since you can, you know, weed out the weirdos yourself).
Recognition for LGBT users
As CEO Sean Rad told Business Insider, "the product works for the gay community, but we need to do a better job of sort of calling it out." Showing the recognition that the app needs to do a better job of dealing with how users specify their preferences is a positive step toward a more inclusive online dating space. As Huffpo states, "it's encouraging to see a mainstream, successful app vocally commit to making their product more friendly to the LGBT community."
Everyone’s on it
In the world of online dating, Tinder is pretty much the best party on the block. So many people are on it, (including Olympics athletes), the vague stigma of online dating just doesn’t apply here. Tinder is so super casual, many people talk about it IRL. Nothing to be ashamed about, here folks. Hows that for success?
