If you haven’t tried online dating before then you may think that it’s more difficult than dating in person. You may also be conflicted morally as you probably heard a variety of stories, possibly even some disappointing ones.

If you are one of the last ones to join the online world of dating then you may have been convinced by friends stating that it’s great or have given in to its hidden realm despite others advising you not to.

It’s true, people are divided on the topic of dating apps, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give it a go. You can either love it or hate it, but even if you detest them they may open completely new doors for you and provide you with opportunities that you wouldn’t have encountered in real life.

In this article, you can find a simple and honest guide to online dating and what it ‘actually’ is.

Since the launch of the first online dating site in 1995, seeking love on a virtual platform became much more popular.

Some of the current most popular dating apps include Tinder, Bumble, OkCupid, and Grindr with Tinder having 75 million active users in 2020. Yes, you read that correctly, there is no need to worry, there is plenty of fish in the sea.

So how do they work?

Step 1: Decide on what dating app you would like to try.

You can decide this by researching in Google or asking your friends what app they had the most success on so far.

Step 2: Select some photos of yourself.

This might sound simple, however, it’s one of the most crucial parts of being on ‘the apps.’ You may feel self-conscious about how you look and may be tempted to select a photo of yourself from five years ago when you still used to go to the gym daily or a picture where you apply three different filters.

Well, despite looking great in those photos, things may get a bit awkward when your date doesn’t recognize you. This is called ‘catfishing’ and is not too favored by anyone. I’m sure that you wouldn’t be happy either if someone ‘else’ shows up to your date as you expected. This would not help either of your confidences especially if you are new to online dating.

Step 3: Be honest.

Many people dislike online dating because of its superficiality and how people decide who they want to date based on their looks. That may be partially true, however, you should remember that most people are on that platform to find a like-minded individual with whom they can potentially pursue a relationship.

So basically the more honest you are, the better the match you could find for yourself.

Step 4: Write a biography.

A biography allows you to show who you are and what you are looking for.

Some apps offer you prompts or hashtags, but afterward, there is almost always an opportunity for you to write a short description of yourself.

Sometimes people share important information about themselves, whilst others may list their hobbies and interests. If you are a single mother and looking for something serious then that may be something worth mentioning. You can also share personal achievements such as starting a new career at 30 or quitting a job without another.

Here is an example: Gary, 26, I work at a bank but I enjoy going fishing with my friends in my free time. I would love to find someone who loves hiking and making smoothies as much as I do!

Step 5: Be respectful.

There is a great variety of dating users out there. Some people are seeking a 

long-term relationship, whilst others may only be looking for something more casual.

By stating your intentions in the beginning or by mentioning them in your biography then you may be able to narrow down your matches. Also, asking is for your benefit. Yes, there is a chance of it being slightly awkward, but if you do it subtly then you could save yourself a lot of time. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be talking to someone for a long time only to find out that they only want to stay friends.

Step 6: Complete smaller details.

Once you have selected your photos and composed your biography, you have to choose your interest in sex. This could be either men, women, or any other category listed on the site.

There is also a small scale where you can adjust the radius in which the app is giving you matches. If you want to find someone close by then you could calibrate the scale to a 10-mile radius.

Step 7: Using the app.

So how does the app work? Every app is different, however, they do tend to have a similar structure.

Once your account goes live, you will see a photo of a potential match on your screen. You can tap to view multiple pictures (if they have) and you have the opportunity to view their biography and descriptions.

If you like what you see when you swipe right, however, if you feel like this isn’t the person for you then you swipe left.

The concept is quite simple as you keep swiping until you get a match. You only match with someone if you and the other person swiped each other right. After the official match, you two will be able to directly message. Either of you can initiate a conversation.

Step 8: What next?

You may be surprised by the number of matches you get and it may even give you a confidence boost. It is, however, important that you remember your intentions with the app.

Feel free to talk to as many people as you want, but do remember to be honest and to be your authentic self. If you feel like the conversation is flowing well, then you could propose a date in person. Make sure that the first date is in public. Both in respect of you and your date.

Of course, it would be nice to think that everything is wonderful, but you should still be cautious as you could be meeting anyone from the Internet. And perhaps that’s the positive side of it as well. You may simply be meeting your next love and possibly even the one.