Many people have turned to dating apps to look for love – but with numerous options like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble, it’s hard to know which one you should use.
Thankfully, a series of relationship experts have spoken exclusively to DailyMail.com about how you can determine which dating platform is best for you – based on what you’re looking for and your age.
According to The Dating Expert founder and podcast host Brock Olsen, who is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, each app uses its own unique methods for matching people, and has very different guidelines to what you put on your profile.
He said choosing the one that best ‘suits your needs’ is an important step to make your quest for love go smoothly.
Many people have turned to dating apps to look for love – but with numerous options like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble, it’s hard to know which one you should use
Thankfully, a series of relationship experts have spoken exclusively to DailyMail.com about which dating platform is best – based on what you’re looking for and your age
‘There’s a plethora of dating apps to choose from, and each one offers a different type of connection dynamic and opportunity,’ he told DailyMail.com recently.
‘Remember, you can’t control how others behave, but choosing which app best suits your needs and putting your best foot forward will go a long way in getting you the experience and results you’re looking for.
‘Hinge, Match.com, eHarmony, and hundreds of other apps all have varying ideas on how to best bring people together and each works for their own user’s preferences,’ he added.
From the apps you should stick to if you want something more long-term to the ones you should head to if you want a hookup, here’s a breakdown of the most popular dating platforms and how you can determine which one you should use as you begin your hunt for your soulmate.
‘A classier version of Tinder’: Bumble should be used by those looking for something ‘long-term’ and is best for women who want to be in ‘control’
According to Brock, those who are ‘interested in something long term’ should head over to Bumble.
The app, which was founded by female entrepreneur Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014, is different from all other online dating platforms because only women can make the first move.
Brock pointed out that this often leads to connections that have ‘less sexual undertones’ and attracts people who are looking to ‘date with a bit more intent.’
The Dating Expert founder and podcast host Brock Olsen said those who are ‘interested in something long term’ should head over to Bumble
The app, which was founded by female entrepreneur Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014, is different from all other online dating platforms because only women can make the first move
‘Bumble is one of the best and my personal favorite dating apps,’ he dished to DailyMail.com. ‘The app puts the power into the women’s hands.
‘Because of this set up, connections are often made with less sexual undertones than most of the others apps, and it allows for a more appropriate and desirable opening dialogue.
Brock pointed out that this often leads to connections that have ‘less sexual undertones’ and attracts people who are looking to ‘date with a bit more intent’
‘Bumble will attract people who are dating with a bit more intent and who value their time.
‘It’s less for those looking for a casual connection and more for those who would rather connect with someone that may be more interested in something long-term.’
He said that the app, which currently has 50 million active users, is best for people aged 23-55.
Jaime Bronstein, a licensed relationship therapist and author from Los Angeles, California, echoed Brock’s sentiments, while describing the app as a ‘classier version of Tinder.’
‘Many women like Bumble because it makes them feel like they are in control,’ she explained.
‘It gives them the upper hand and helps them to feel empowered. It also avoids the feeling of overwhelm that other apps can have on people. If you want a long-term relationship, I recommend Bumble.’
‘So many clients found happily ever afters through it’: Hinge is also for people who are interested in something serious, and offers a slew of creative profile prompts that can help you find the one
According to the experts, Hinge is another app that you should use if you are interested in something that’s more on the serious side
According to the experts, Hinge is another app that you should use if you are interested in something that’s more on the serious side.
The dating platform’s tagline is ‘designed to be deleted’ – and Brock told DailyMail.com it pretty much lives up to the motto.
The relationship expert praised Hinge’s very-detailed and creative profile prompts, which he said ‘encourage deep conversations’ that can really help you get to know your matches.
‘Hinge promotes healthy, long-term relationships,’ he explained. ‘It encourages users to comment on aspects of each other’s profiles, creating genuine connections versus surface swiping.
Jaime Bronstein, a licensed relationship therapist and author from Los Angeles, California, said ‘many of her clients have found their happily ever after’s through both Hinge and Bumble’
‘Hinge also offers privacy – you cannot browse profiles unless you create an account which makes the users feel safe.’
Hinge, which was created by Justin McLeod in 2011, currently has 23 million users.
Jaime added that ‘many of her clients have found their happily ever after’s through both Hinge and Bumble.’
And while she’s seen immense success in people using the two apps to find their soulmates, she insisted that they’re not exclusive to just that.
‘They both have preferences in which a user can choose what they are looking for: “long-term relationship,” “short-term relationship,” “prefer not to say,” or “figuring out my dating goals,”‘ she added.
‘This is helpful because it helps to match up people who are looking for the same things.’
The ‘hookup app:’ Those who are looking for ‘casual, no strings attached interactions’ should head to Tinder, but the possibilities are ‘endless’ since it’s garnered the most users
Tinder – which is the most used dating platform – has earned a reputation for being a ‘hookup app.’ And according to Brock, that’s exactly what it should be used for
Tinder – which launched in 2012 and is now the most used dating platform, with a whopping 75 million active users – has earned a reputation for being a ‘hookup app.’ And according to Brock, that’s exactly what it should be used for.
‘Tinder is well-known for making snap judgments about potential partners. Because of this, it’s become synonymous with quick and short relationship interactions,’ he said.
‘Tinder is well-known for making snap judgments about potential partners. Because of this, it’s become synonymous with quick and short relationship interactions,’ he said. ‘Tinder usually attracts a user who is not looking for anything too serious’
‘It’s known as a hookup app. Tinder usually attracts a user who is not looking for anything too serious, but maybe open to building something special if the opportunity arises.’
He added that it’s best for the younger crowd.
Jamie agreed, adding that ‘most Tinder users’ are ‘looking for casual, no strings attached interactions.’
‘If a dater signs up for Tinder expecting to find the love of their life, they could be setting themselves up for disappointment,’ she warned.
‘Know what you are getting yourself into, and if you are looking for your “person,” it’s best to head over to an app that caters to “forever” love.
‘I do have some clients that did meet [their spouse] on Tinder, so it does happen, but it’s the exception to the rule.’
Another relationship expert, named Megan Weks, from New York, pointed out that because Tinder has the most users, it opens you up to a slew of possibilities.
She agreed that most people use it for quick flings, but added that it’s ‘not impossible’ to find a long-term relationship on the app.
‘Because of the sheer amount of people using Tinder, the possibilities are endless,’ she dished.
‘There are high quality guys on there’: While Match is ‘catered more to older people,’ it’s a great way to make a connection since it encourages ‘commitment-oriented people’
For those who are on the hunt for a partner a little later in life, they should try using Match.com
Jamie explained that the platform ‘caters to older people’ since it ‘has been around the longest.’ It was launched back in 1995, and it currently has 21.5 million active users
For those who are on the hunt for a partner a little later in life, they should try using Match.
Jamie explained that the platform ‘caters to older people’ since it ‘has been around the longest.’ It was launched back in 1995, and it currently has 21.5 million active users.
‘Older people are more familiar with it, therefore, a higher percentage of its users are older,’ Jamie, who penned the book MAN*ifesting: A Step-By-Step Guide to Attracting the Love That’s Meant for You, dished.
According to Forbes, 19 per cent of its members are between ages 18 and 29, 44 per cent are between 30 and 49, and 37 per cent are 50 and up.
Jamie – who met her own husband through Match.com in 2011 – explained that it comes with a slew of perks that the other apps don’t offer.
Another relationship expert, named Megan Weks (seen) told DailyMail.com that while Match.com has ‘a bit of an older demographic,’ she still ‘steers’ many ‘young clients’ towards it
‘Some perks of Match are that it has a guarantee program – if you are still looking for a match within a certain amount of time, it offers you a few months for free,’ she revealed.
‘Another perk is that Match offers “MatchPhone,” where users can talk on the phone through the app without revealing their phone number.’
Megan told DailyMail.com that while Match.com has ‘a bit of an older demographic,’ she still ‘steers’ many of her ‘young clients’ towards it.
She praised the platform’s ‘long-form profiles,’ which encourages ‘commitment-oriented people’ to join.
‘There are high quality guys who want relationships there, who value a connection beyond what a few photos can provide as far as information about a person,’ she added.
‘This is the closest thing to hiring an actual matchmaker’: Thanks to its in-depth questionnaire, eHarmony helps find you a ‘perfect match’ and is best for people who want something ‘very serious’
Jamie said eHarmony is the ‘closest app there is to hiring an actual matchmaker.’ The platform has users answer an ‘in-depth questionnaire with the purpose of finding a perfect match’
While eHarmony isn’t as popular as the other apps – it currently has 10 million active users – Jaime insisted that it should not be overlooked.
In fact, she said it’s the ‘closest app there is to hiring an actual matchmaker.’
The platform, which was launched in 2000, makes its users answer an ‘in-depth questionnaire with the purpose of finding as perfect a match as possible.’
Jaime pointed out that this helps you uncover whether or not ‘someone is good for you’ much quicker than some of the other dating platforms.
‘We hear about eHarmony less than the other apps, however, this is one of the apps you go to if you are very serious about marriage,’ she said.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk