According to the research professionals at Statista, nearly 53.3 million Americans are expected to use an internet dating service to find love by 2024. As online dating continues to grow into an increasingly large portion of our society, it becomes even more important to look back at the origins of the industry.
Along with fundamentally changing the way that we connect, the internet and its corresponding technology have changed our approach to romance, love, and building a life.
Back to the Beginning
As one of the most common ways to meet a potential spouse, online dating has come a long way since the beginning. WebPersonals was one of the first online dating websites, established in 1994. The platform generated more than 120,000 signups within 18 months, a massive number for the time.
Just two years later, Match.com would launch as the world of the 90s fully embraced the internet, dating, and the culture that went along with it. Match became one of the most notable dating websites, becoming a major online player before Google and Twitter even existed.
In 2012, online dating would take another enormous leap forward when Tinder unveiled its groundbreaking swiping tools. The geo-dating service premiered its location-based application to huge fanfare, leading to more than one billion swipes per day. Co-founded by former CEO Sean Rad, Tinder has become one of the most dominant dating platforms.
Despite its success, Tinder has dealt with its fair share of controversies as Sean Rad was ousted from the company following issues at the top levels of the business. Rad claims that IAC/Match has purposely devalued his company, costing the founders billions in profit. Rad ended up in potentially hot water for recording employees at work, which IAC claims to be illegal.
Despite this drama behind the scenes, Tinder continues to set the tone for online dating with 56% of its users active daily. The company reports that there are roughly 1.6 billion swipes per day from its collective base of registered users. From Tinder and Bumble to Grindr and Plenty of Fish, it seems like there is always a new dating app vying for our attention. For as long as humans have existed, we have yearned for and desired to connect. In today’s era of digital technology and instant connectivity, dating apps are providing the groundwork for these new and exciting connections.
While Tinder is obviously one of the big dating apps on the internet, there are many others out there. Take time to take stock of your desires and needs and compare them to what these different platforms prioritize. While Grindr may prioritize intimacy and romance, Tinder may be a better option for more social users.
