Online Dating is the use of websites or apps to find and communicate with potential romantic partners for romance or sexual relationships. The process is usually anonymous and may be facilitated by specific software that matches users based on their interests or characteristics (such as age, sex, and location).Find out:linkedin.com

A large number of people are using online dating platforms to meet prospective partners. In 2022, about a third of all American adults reported having used an online dating site or app. These sites are most popular among young adults and people who have never been married; a similar share of adults who are separated, divorced, or widowed report having used these platforms.

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The popularity of these services varies by demographic factors, such as income and age. Those with higher incomes are more likely to pay for online dating, and older adults are more likely to have used them than younger adults. Overall, 35% of adults who use online dating have paid for extra features.

Personality correlates of online dating have been investigated, with studies pointing to sociability, anxiety attachment style, social anxiety and lower conscientiousness as being related to more frequent usage of these services. Additionally, neurotic correlates have also been linked to online dating use; for example, increased sensation-seeking has been associated with a greater tendency toward sex-searching on SNSs. In terms of motivations, men are more likely to cite finding a long-term partner as a reason for using these sites than women.