Hookup apps have come a long way since the early days of Tinder. They’ve become an accepted part of mainstream society and that’s a great thing for so many reasons. In fact, according to a stat mentioned on Mashable, it’s been predicted that the online dating audience will grow to 37.5 million in 2023!
Better yet, 54% of Americans say relationships that begin on a dating site or app are just as successful as those that begin in person. The downside to all of this is the sheer volume of options available. With so many out there and websites offering sponsored reviews to say every app is the best. . . where do you start?
The good news is we’re going to delve into this topic right now to point you in the right direction. There are plenty of places where you can easily find hookups and online is one of the best options. The bad news is there’s no single answer that applies to everyone. Let’s get into it.
Figure out exactly what you’re looking for
There are many definitions for what a “hookup” is but right now, none of them matter. Before you can choose an app that’ll give you the most success you need to know what success looks like to you.
Are you looking for a single one nightstand? A series of one-night stands? A friends-with-benefits situation? General dating that might turn into more? Maybe you’re just looking to mix things up and start dating someone outside your usual “type.”
It’s 2020 and whatever it is you’re looking for there are a host of apps that’ll work for you. Be honest with yourself. If you could snap your fingers right now and have anything from the dating world, what would it look like? The answer to this question will define so much of your journey.
Read online reviews
So you’ve figured out what you’re trying to find, now you want to get started asap. What better way to shorten this search than to learn from the experience of others.
Search for some reviews that focus on the best hookup apps around right now. See what the experts have to say about each to point you in the right direction. Read through several of these review articles until you start to get an idea of what’s going to work for you.
Like me, the people writing these reviews have spent a lot of time in the industry. They’ve seen a whole range of dating apps and websites and can generally offer more insight than the average user. Not that I’m biased or anything, right?
Shortlist
As you start to read through more of these reviews you’re going to see the same apps pop up over and over again. More often than not, the feedback on these apps is going to be quite similar as well.
They’ll typically point out the strengths and weaknesses of each app. It’s up to you to decide which of these you care about and start to gather a shortlist.
I’d suggest narrowing it down to around three to five apps that you think might work for you. Cutting your options from an overwhelming list to just a handful like this makes it all that much more manageable.
The good news is that you aren’t making a huge commitment. Dating app flings tend to be short-lived so you don’t have a lot to lose!
Read reviews in the app store
Now that you’ve narrowed it down, head over to the App Store (or Play Store for the Android users among you). Find the app but don’t download it yet. Instead, take a minute or so to check through the reviews.
What you’re looking for here is the same negative feedback being offered over and over again. Since these reviews are typically from real users, this is a red flag you should be paying attention to.
If review after review says they can’t log in or there are no real users on the site, it’s time to move on. On the other hand, if the review section seems pretty sparse on a popular app that’s generally a good sign.
People are far more inclined to leave a negative review than a positive one. This is especially true for dating apps and so sometimes no news is good news. People are too busy using the app rather than uninstalling and warning others.
Try them for yourself
I know this sounds self-explanatory but don’t forget, they’re just apps. There’s no harm in setting up a profile and trying it for yourself. Most apps offer decent functionality with a free account or at least a free trial.
There is a lot of dating app anxiety that can happen but it’s really not that bad! A little practice goes a long way.
You can use it for yourself for a while and see how it goes for you. If you hate it, no harm is done—delete the app and go try a different one. In fact, I’d even suggest installing two or three and trying them all at once.
You’ll quickly notice you pay attention to one more than the others. That app is the one to focus on. If you’re going back to it over and over again you’re obviously getting something out of it, right?
It could be the layout, the interaction you’re getting or even how it manages notifications. Like most things in dating, all that matters here is what you personally prefer, there is no right or wrong.
Keep an open mind
Last but not least, try to avoid judging an app by its cover. For example, there are a lot of dating apps out there for various religious types.
While some of us may be put off by that entirely, that doesn’t mean it has to apply to you. “Christian” also doesn’t inherently mean you won’t find a variety of ideas there. Check out our breakdown of Christian dating apps and see for yourself!
Take most of your decision-making cues from the reviews rather than how an app portrays itself. This way you’re giving yourself the best chance of finding one that’s right for you.
When you can head into this with the right attitude and lean on the experience of others, finding the right hookup app becomes that much easier. Enjoy the experience, look around and most of all, have fun!
