Why Is Online Dating So Hard? Why Are Dating Apps So Bad?
As an online dating photographer and someone who has worked with thousands of clients I am here to say online dating sucks. It is something you will not hear from any other person in my position but it is true. Why would I say this? Easy. Most people have no clue what they are doing and have no clue why they are experiencing the results they do.
I can bucket the reasons why people are so miserable with dating apps into a few categories.
Self-sabotage of Photos, Profiles and Answers
Most people take awful photos, boring cliche photos, don’t know how to write about themselves nor know how to write good messages. Lots of people copy and paste awful prompts, pickup lines, bios and photos. If you try to play prevent defense on your dating profile, you will end up like the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. Be bold. Be authentic. Be vulnerable. Be yourself. Playing it safe and using vague, generic short answers will make it hard for you to stand out from the competition. Use lesser obvious references to establish stronger connections online.
THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT WITH YOUR PHOTOS, BIOS, PROMPTS & MESSAGES!
YOU ARE ONLY AS ATTRACTIVE AS YOUR WORST PHOTO!
Not knowing what they want
Most people on dating apps do so because of loneliness, busy lifestyles or offline experience with meeting people. I have a tip for you, online dating is no better than offline dating.
Dating apps are merely introduction apps. You will be introduced to hookups, pen pals, catfishers, spammers, lonely people, creeps and occasional folks looking for dates with relationships as a possibility.
If someone is vague, generic, uses laundry lists of adjectives or has lazy low effort bios, don’t make excuses for them. Most people are exactly who they describe themselves as online but that doesn’t mean you should take them at their word.
If someone is only asking you to meet at their place for a first date, insists on drinks for a first date, is too aggressive and asks for your number or requests to take conversations off the app quickly, take that as a red flag. People who are too smooth with witty pickup lines, are slow to respond to messages or only respond to messages but never initiate them, proceed with caution.
Patience, questions, difficult situations, time will reveal people’s true colors.
Inability to screen and filter people effectively
If you want a hookup, great, have fun! Live your life. But if you are expecting to turn sex on a first date into a relationship, you will be sorely disappointed.
Know what you want, what you don’t want and don’t make excuses. Someone who takes excessive selfies is either self-absorbed or narcissistic or doesn’t have friends.
Someone who dresses provocatively, has half naked photos on their dating profile likely needs validation, is insecure or doesn’t want a relationship. There are always exceptions to the rules but with dating apps, you have to make quick decisions based on photos, bios and messages.
Assume nothing, assume everything.
Wrong app choice
Not everyone is looking for a hookup on Tinder but to assume most people want a monogamous relationship is ridiculous. Cities where CMB, Hinge and Bumble are popular, Tinder is viewed as a hookup app. In more remote places, Tinder is the only choice.
Similarly, just because someone is on Coffee Meets Bagel, Hinge or Bumble doesn’t mean they want a relationship or date. Don’t take people at their face value (THIS IS NO DIFFERENT From MEETING SOMEONE OFFLINE).
Lots of people treat dating apps like Uber Eats while you should be treating them like an app like Couchsurfing. The smartest people I know in terms or reading people know how to filter and screen Couchsurfers. For tips on which dating apps you should use, read this post.
Impatience, Too Eager
If you think you can find the one right away or in a matter of weeks, dating will be rough for you. Just because your taller, slimmer, more attractive friend met someone asap, doesn’t mean you will. Love takes time. You can’t expect to flip the switch and meet someone instantly. Yes, it can happen quickly but it is not the norm.
If you want to prioritize meeting someone of quality, make the effort with time, emotional availability, energy, effort and thoughtfulness.
User Error
Many people do not know how to use dating apps. They think all apps are the same or all apps are similar to non-dating apps they have used for work, pleasure, productivity etc.
Dating apps main focus is monetization. They will get your hopes up, send you notifications frequently and prey on your vulnerability.
You can meet amazing people on dating apps but you can’t expect them to do all the work for you or have your best interest at heart.
Being Too Picky
This article title Why Women Need to Date Carpenters Like Men Date Yoga Instructors does an excellent job of highlighting how men are less picky about women when it comes to age, education, height and income. Similarly, for men being too picky because you feel entitle because of your physique, job title, salary or position doesn’t make up for character and personality. Women these days are far more educated than men and can afford to be more picky than ever before. There is a fine line between preferences and deal-breakers — it’s up to you where you want to draw the line.
Reddit Forums
If you look for advice and tips online like forums like Reddit, you will go down very dark, disturbing rabbit holes. r/Tinder is filled with screenshots conversations, r/RedPill will talk about how women are the reason for men’s failures, r/HingeApp will make fun of women’s prompt choices. There are some good pieces of advice here and there but it is important to understand the type of users who frequent such boards — single boys and men who have struggled to succeed with dating apps.
Dating App / Profile Fatigue
If you spend too much time on an app, either you will get frustrated and fatigued or the people seeing your profile will. It helps to update your profile completely (not small incremental changes) or take a break for a bit. Being on a dating app too long is not a good look for most folks.
Dating apps are merely introduction apps. You date offline.
Read this post on online dating red flags: https://eddie-hernandez.com/online-dating-red-flags/
Online dating requires effort, knowledge, good judgment, time and good mental health. People too much pressure on first dates to be their everything, be their best friend be their confidant or be their therapist. This is too much to ask of a stranger.
If you are unable or unwilling to meet people organically offline, you will likely not fare better online. You meet online but date offline (flirting, planning dates, dressing up, being thoughtful are all traits that are need offline and online).
Is Online Dating Worth It? Are Dating Apps Worth It For Men, Women?
I outlined some frustrations around dating above but you may be wondering, is it worth it? The short answer it depends on many factors around you, what you want, what you are willing to compromise, demographics and more.
Check out my dating services here.
How To Get More Likes & Matches On Dating Sites — How To Get More Likes, Matches On Dating Apps
Should I Use Dating Apps? Should I Use Dating Apps? Should I Try Online Dating
What Do Your Dating Profile Photos Signal — First Impressions & More
Harsh Realities Of Online Dating Apps — Misconceptions, Myths & More
How To Be Successful At Online Dating — Photos, Prompts, Bios, Messages, Captions & More
Online Dating Anxiety — Dating Apps Tips To Manage Choice, Notification Overload
