A common speculation in dating-landia these days is: do the dating apps even work? People put in time, they put in energy and it’d be nice to have insurance on all this work and headache to know if it’s even worth it in the end. Would you agree?

It’s definitely felt that the dating apps have dominated how we date these days, but do the statistics show that?

Stats show that only 3 out of 10 adults are either on the apps or have tried dating through the apps. So that means that 70% of adults are either coupled off or they’re dating the “old fashioned” way.

Do the apps yield relationships?

Only 1/10 adults, older than 30, report that they are in a committed romantic relationship or living together or married from a dating app. Summed up, only 10% find matches worth exploring and growing.

However, that stat is doubled when it’s under the age of 30. Approximately 20% report that they met their long term boyfriend or girlfriend on the dating apps.

Do people have more negative or positive experiences on the apps?

Regarding people’s overall experiences on the apps – it’s right down the line between negative and positive. 

57% of men say that they’ve had enjoyable and positive experiences on the dating apps while only 48% of women find their experiences to be positive. But we’re not here to split hairs, and apparently it’s pretty 50-50 on both sex’s experiences. 

Does this surprise you? Or did you think more people would report negative experiences? It’s kind of nice, and relieving, to see that there are people actually having positive interactions on the apps when it feels like all you hear is people bashing them.

Should you pay for add ons?

A little over ⅓ of online daters say they’ve paid for a dating platform or paid something for extra add ons. I want to know – does paying change your results?? That’s the real question. That will have to be a different stat we explore on a different day.

Are the apps contributing to people’s anxiety?

Many people feel that the apps can be overwhelming. Who knows whether it’s the amount of options or the lack of options that contribute to this feeling. 

Get this – 54% women are more likely to be overwhelmed by the amount of messages they get whereas 64% of men are more likely to be insecure by the lack of interest and messages they receive.

There’s hope!

When asked about why they joined the dating apps, 42% of men and 48% of women said to find a long term relationship leading towards marriage. So yes, people actually use it with good intentions. While 37% of women and 43% of men admitted to wanting to date casually.

Have the apps made dating easier?

Well, I guess we’d have to define easy, right?

But that was a major question posed in the survey and 42% of adults say that, yes – online dating has made dating easier and I would 100% agree with that.

You can be home on Friday evening with a glass of wine and swiping or even on the toilet and swiping! It saves you time. Used correctly, it can help you cut out the “fluff” before going on the actual date. 

Although, many would disagree and say that, dating on the apps isn’t what it used to be and there are many more games, nonsense and scams than 2-3 years ago. 

But hey, what do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts: do you think dating is easier with the apps or harder?