When your golden years aren’t all about the quick hook up.
Trying to find a connection with someone is potentially one of the hardest endeavors we take on as humans. Trying to do it after a certain age makes it all the more daunting, given the amount of energy required and general stigma around aging in a youth-obsessed culture.
If you find yourself back on the market, either after a breakup or just after a dry spell, then getting onto a dating app or two (or more! It’s ok… breath) will only increase your odds of finding a companion. Yes, most of the apps will feel like they’re skewed toward a younger pool of daters — according to studies, about 48-percent of 18- to 29-year-olds use apps to find dates these days. That number falls to about 19% when you look at daters over 50.
But not all apps are created equal. Some limit the number of connections you see at a given time to encourage stronger consideration, ask for more detailed information to foster better matches, or even target people looking for simple companionship over anything sexual. Here are a few apps to add to your home screen that might just help you get lucky in love again.
OurTime
OurTime turns the fervor of modern-day hookup culture down a notch. Instead of looking for something quick and meaningless, it encourages users to search for pen-pals, friends, dates, long-term relationships, and even marriage partners. And it boasts a membership base of nearly a million users who 50+ bracket.
Coffee Meets Bagel
CMB is perfect for the easily overwhelmed. Every day at noon, you’ll get a list of matches, or “bagels,” selected by its algorithm. With no swiping involved, a limited number of matches each day, plenty of “ice-breaker” questions, and extensive profiles, this app encourages more meaningful conversation and connection rather than quick and easy flirtations. And with over half of its users in the age range of 30–49, you’ll be more likely to match with someone operating at the same speed as you.
OKCupid
One of the original dating sites, OKCupid’s algorithm uses a series of questions to determine what “percentage” you’ll match with any of its five million users. It’s also super-inclusive, offering 12 gender identities and 20 sexual orientations so you can define yourself however you want and match with exactly who you’re looking for. The fun, low-pressure vibe of the site and app and its list of interesting profile questions may help you break out of your comfort zone just enough to find the perfect match.
Tinder
And then there’s Tinder, the app that made swiping famous. While long term relationships have been known to come to fruition via this platform, it’s still probably most known for swiping right until you find that perfect person for right now. And it’s definitely still the app most popular with the younger demographic — a 2017 analysis claimed just 15% of roughly 10 million users were 35–44, and just 4% were 45–55. But hey, there’s no age limit on wanting a little meaningless fling.
Hinge
Another app that’s broadened its user base, Hinge touts that around 47% of its users are between 30–49 years old, and roughly 2% are over 50. After filling in the app’s questionnaire and prompts, you’ll get matched with users who share your common interests. The algorithm also generates a “Most Compatible” list — who you’re eight times more likely to go out with. And not only does the app show you how many people have liked you, but it also tells you what they liked about you, making it easy to start a conversation.
Originally published at https://getmaude.com.
