Dating

Dating is the activity of pursuing romantic partners. Beyond that, however, dating can have various goals. Some people date to meet a serious partner, maybe a spouse. Other people date casually, hoping to meet a range of people. If not these, they may want to find sexual partners or "hook-ups." Since 2013, more straight couples meet online than any other way — like through friends or work. LGBTQ couples were early adopters of online dating, as it was usually more difficult to find a queer match in one's neighborhood. Today, dating apps are the dominant way people date. Popular dating apps include Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and OkCupid. Tinder is known as a "hook-up app" as users don't need to share much information about themselves, whereas OkCupid requires users to answer questions. Offline dating unsurprisingly took a decline during the COVID pandemic, so people had to rely on apps. Now that they can date in-person again, there are more options for meeting new potential dates.

More Dating

Best gay dating apps for hookups, relationships, and everything in between



Bumble says UK cyberflashing bill isn't enough

How to stay safe on dating apps


These dating sites are actually good for finding a serious relationship

Looking for love on campus? Here are the best dating apps for college students.
By Miller Kern and Dorothy Pitti

The best online dating sites for geeks, nerds, sci-fi buffs, and more
By Dalvin Brown and Leah Stodart

Which dating app should you use? This guide can help you figure it out.

Best senior dating sites: Dating over 60 can actually be fun
By Leah Stodart and Miller Kern

Best dating sites for men: Whether you're looking to hook up, find love, or something in between
By Leah Stodart

Best dating sites for women: How to find the connection you're looking for online
By Leah Stodart

Best dating sites for working professionals who don't have time to meet someone IRL
By Elise Anderson


The best free dating apps and sites for singles on a budget
By Leah Stodart, Miller Kern, and Bethany Allard

TikTok is obsessed with the 'power struggle stage' of relationships. But what is it?

OkCupid review: A hip dating site that's way less lame than the competition

Tinder rolls out Relationship Types and pronouns

Don't trust the TikTok moon phase 'soulmate' trend

If you like Pornhub, these raunchy dating sites are worthy alternatives
By Caitlin McCormack and Elise Anderson

Are you compatible with your partner? Check your moon phases.

Daters have a 'reality gap' about gender equality, Bumble says

The dos and don'ts of Hinge audio notes

It's time to put 'The Bachelor' out to pasture

What does 'casual dating' mean these days?
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
By signing up to the Mashable newsletter you agree to receive electronic communications from Mashable that may sometimes include advertisements or sponsored content.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!