Last year, you probably made a promise to yourself that you are about to go out of your comfort zone and explore more things outside of your usual routine, especially when it comes to dating. However, things might not be in your favor as COVID-19 pandemic took over this year, limiting all our social activities and forcing us to stay inside our homes as much as possible.
So, what’s going to happen now? After the quarantine was imposed months ago, dating platforms have become more popular to love seekers. Whether it is work- or school-related, all our activities are mostly done virtually now, and dating is not an exception.
Dating in the digital age
Even before the COVID-19 era, looking for a potential partner through online platforms was already a thing, and dating apps and sites were already widely known. In fact, most people are now hooking up using social media sites. They will then set up a date and time to meet in person after getting to know each other and wanting to go further.
What’s more, recent studies suggest that there is a sudden increase in the number of users in dating platforms. This surge was brought by the Covid-19 Update and the health safety restrictions that came after.
Online platforms are changing our dating lives
Experts also claim that dating apps and sites are slowly changing our relationships, and the changes are the effects brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. While love seekers are likely going back to the traditional way of dating once things finally normalize, we can’t deny that dating platforms are still going to be more prevalent moving forward.
Looking for love opportunities amidst the “new normal”
Almost all people worldwide are still stuck at their homes for several months already. The plans we created for ourselves are now put on hold as we don’t know when we are going to go back to our old routine. However, instead of being unproductive, love seekers are taking advantage of this time to sign up at dating apps and sites and search for a potential partner.
If you are one of them but unsure which platform you should use, ClickCupid has listed some of the best hookup sites and apps you should take note of.
Latest data have shown that most people are now spending most of their time on dating apps and sites. The online dating market has observed a significant increase in their demand.
To ensure the safety of their users, these online dating platforms shared an important recommendation to their users not to meet face to face as of the moment as the threat of the virus will not subdue yet in the foreseeable future.
Data also suggest that people affected by the lockdown are more willing to pay for online dating services. This is a testament that connection is highly important to people during this time, and the term “social distancing” doesn’t mean people must stop expanding their social circles and creating meaningful connections.
On the other hand, dating platforms, such as Tinder, are aware of the importance of their presence for people worldwide. In fact, they added a new feature that allows paid users to reach out to other users anywhere in the globe.
During this dire situation with seemingly no hope in sight, people are seeking for comfort, and talking with others regardless of their location is highly essential. After all, we need someone who can understand us and give us happiness which is detrimental to our mental health.
What to expect in the future of dating
Surely, things will go back to normal, and the quarantine will be lifted once threats of the virus vanish. Nonetheless, the changes that took place during this pandemic won’t go away anytime. People would likely continue to be reliant on dating platforms while not abandoning the traditional way of hooking up.
As the way things are going, we can assume that the future of dating will have more online and offline opportunities for love seekers out there.
Michelle 
Clarice