Tinder has rolled out a new in-app feature to make it easier to find someone who is on the same page as you. This means you may not even have to speak to a person to determine their intentions, as it will be noted in their description.
The feature promotes transparency by allowing users to state what they are looking for, with options such as "Non-Monogamy," "Serious Dater" and "Long-Term Partner."
According to a recent international Tinder survey, 69 percent of singles are looking for something serious, making the "Serious Dater" tile likely a top pick. Many respondents also reported seeking "Marriage Material" (41%), "The Long Game" (39%), or an "Intentionship" (27%).
What Are Singles Looking For?
A July 2022 Pew Research Center survey of 6,034 U.S. adults revealed that most people were using dating apps to find a long-term partner (44%) or date casually (40%), while smaller percentages sought casual sex (24%) or new friends (22%).
The survey also found that 22 percent of respondents believe dating apps make it harder to find a long-term partner or spouse.
'A Good Idea'
Newsweek discussed the update with Becky Whetstone, a marriage and family therapist based in Texas, and Sophie Personne, a dating and relationship expert. They both believe Tinder is taking a step in the right direction.
Whetstone said: "We can't date everyone, so I think a sorting system is a pretty good idea. However, many people think they want nothing serious or believe they want a serious relationship, only to change their minds. So, there needs to be some flexibility in how things unfold."
London-based Personne told Newsweek: "It will be much clearer to spot if someone is looking for something casual or a long-term relationship, which will lead to much more meaningful conversations quicker and the potential to find a partner that suits."
Tinder, one of the world's most popular dating apps, launched in 2012, also allows users to search by passions and hobbies, including "Binge Watchers," "Coffee Date" and "Nature Lovers," as well as "Free Tonight" for more spontaneous daters.
Whetstone, author of I (Think) I Want Out: What to Do When One of You Wants to End Your Marriage, explained that common interests aren't the be-all and end-all.
"But they are great for building and maintaining bonds," she told Newsweek.
Personne added: "The 'free tonight' addition might be useful for those looking for spontaneous fun, but for those looking for a deeper and long-lasting connection then it might not feel appropriate. Equally for older users, it might be a redundant feature as they're probably less likely to go on a date that quickly or to drop everything to meet someone they've matched with just a few hours prior.
"For those looking to meet someone that night or taking advantage of being in a new city for a short period, then using the 'free tonight' option could make it quicker to sift through who would be available."
Exploring Relationship Diversity
According to The Knot's 2024 Jewelry & Engagement Study, a survey of nearly 8,000 recently engaged couples found that 25 percent met on Tinder. The new feature not only allows users to hopefully find marriage, but date also to explore other avenues.
According to Tinder's global internal data from its Relationship Types descriptor, 22 percent of users are open to exploring, and 14 percent of those who display their "Relationship Type" choose options that fall under consensual non-monogamy, including ethical non-monogamy, open relationships and polyamory—reflecting the growing diversity of modern relationships.
Personne added: "The option for non-monogamous and polyamorous matches is an interesting addition as it can be much harder to find someone with the same inclination, so it will make it a lot easier for them to explore connections."
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