If you are fresh into the dating game, you’ve probably heard of Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble. These are dating apps.

Specifically, these 3 dating apps are used by kids in colleges, and by post-grads and young professionals ranging from early 20’s up to their early 30’s.

However, if you don’t fit into these categories, don’t fret because these apps can pretty much be used by anyone (recommend 18 years and older).

If you are in any way embarrassed or shy to download these apps, don’t be. And if you would go so far out of your way to try to find secret dating apps that look like games, then you probably need to re-evaluate your intentions…

Should I download Tinder – Dating apps 101 for Young Professionals

Most people around you will have the Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble app on their iPhone, so it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Trust me.

So, if you ever find yourself thinking “should I download a dating app?”, the answer is, Yes, if you are looking for love or just a hookup, dating apps are the best way to go.

Now, if this is your first time using any sort of dating app then this article is for you!

Before ever downloading Tinder, Hinge, or Bumble, you’ll want to know a few things about them.

Hey, don’t be nervous! There’s a first time for everything!

Let’s get into it…

Should I download a dating app? What to know before using dating apps

Here’s a list of 10 things you need to know before you ever download Tinder, Hinge, or Bumble.

You will see familiar faces

You will see a TON of people you know if you download tinder app

Once you start your swipe journey on a dating app, you’ll see lots of people from your past…like high school crushes, college hookups, and more.

Seriously, depending on your settings preferences, you can make your search as broad or narrow as you’d like (age, distance, religion, interests, etc.)

This will determine if you specify just your neighborhood or beyond…depending on if you’re looking to match with someone special. 😉

Shoot your shot

Shoot your shot on bumble and hinge.

Don’t be afraid to swipe first or chat first! Everyone that’s on a dating app is literally on there for a reason, to meet people!

The only downside to dating apps is you can only chat with people that match with you back. But hey, who would want to chat with someone that didn’t like you back anyway??

Be aware of hookup apps

Some dating apps are known to be just “hook-up” apps, like Tinder.

If your heart is set on actually meeting someone and going on dates with them, then I’d consider you to stay away from the Tinder game.

The only con to this is that Tinder is basically the number 1 dating app so there are going to be way more people on this app than Hinge. But, Hinge is a VERY close second!

I’m not saying that you can’t meet “the one” on Tinder, I’m just saying there are way more people that are ~seriosuly looking~ on Hinge than on Tinder. It’s just facts, people.

Have an open mind

Tinder 101 – Go in with an open mind.You guys, I know these apps are basically swiping on looks but you should really check out their profiles and see their interests.

Who knows, you might end up having the same interests or even crazier, find out that you have mutual friends! Remember, it’s a small world, people!

Pro Tip: Don’t swipe on someone that you basically don’t see yourself going on a date with. It’s pointless and it hurts the other person’s feelings if you end up matching but you want nothing to do with them.

Determine what you are looking for

Know what you are looking for on dating apps and why you are on the app in the first place.

Some people might not be looking for the same things you are.

The best thing to do when you match with someone is to ease the conversation to the topic of “What are you looking for on here?” This helps the process move a little faster and not waste your time if you are looking for different things!

A good way to set your intentions right off that bat is to update your bio! Check out these great dating app bio examples for women!

Pick up lines

Get ready for the weird and cheesy pick-up lines on dating apps.

If you’ve never experienced a man (or women) flirting with you with those cheesy pick-up lines then get ready for a whirlwind of them on dating apps.

Most people will start a message with a cute (or gross) pick-up line to get the other person to respond, considering the normal “Hey! What’s Up?” is boring and overused.

Just be aware that the best dating app openers don’t include that boring phrase.

Here’s a list of funny pick-up lines for you to use on your next match!

Swiping right

You won’t match with everyone you “swipe right” on dating apps.

The truth of that matter is that you ARE hot but some people can’t see that, so when you are swiping right on those cuties, don’t get too stressed out if that person never swiped back on you.

Move on. We don’t care about them. Okay?

There are SO MANY MORE PEOPLE on that app than that one person.

Block or Report profiles

Use the Block or Report Account feature if necessary on dating apps.

If you are uncomfortable with a conversation you are having with someone, please for your sake and other people’s, block that person or report the account.

There’s no room for that in your inbox or anyone else’s. 🙂

Here’s info on how to report an account on Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble.

Meeting in real life

Be careful if you ever choose to meet IRL (in real life) on dating apps.

Swiping, matching, and messaging is the easy part. The hard part is actually meeting up for a date in real life.

Pro Tip: Make sure that you are meeting in a public place with lots of people around if you are meeting for the very first time!

Need some tips on first date jitters? Check out this article: 5 Psychology Tricks You Can Use On A First Date.

Just remember, when you are meeting for the very first time they are just as nervous as you are! 🙂

Ghosted

It’s okay if you get ghosted on dating apps.

For those that don’t know what “being ghosted” or “ghosting” means; It means that you or someone you’ve been talking to for quite a while suddenly ends the conversation on a random note and never ever responds back to you, ever.

It’s like, “Poof”, they were in your life, and now they aren’t.

As I said earlier, make sure you understand the other person’s intentions before continuing those long deep conversations.

And, unfortunately, it’s a given that you will most likely get ghosted at least once or twice after talking to someone, especially if you are talking to (messaging) them on the dating app itself.

The best thing you can do about this situation is to MOVE ON.

Life is way too short to be sad about that one guy (or girl) on that one app that never responded to your last text.

Don’t be wasting your time on that. They don’t want you, so you don’t want them. Plain and simple.

Which apps should I download for dating?

Below is a short summary of the 3 best dating apps to download but I’d check out this article for more in-depth reasonings: The 3 Best Apps To Download For Dating.

1. Tinder is used as a “Hook-up” app but can also be used as a dating app…if you can find someone on there with the same goals. Interested in Tinder? Here’s the tinder download app.
2. Hinge is used as a dating app. I would definitely recommend Hinge to everyone out there looking to find their soulmate. Interested in Hinge? Download hinge app.
3. Bumble is used as a second-tier dating app, for newbies, Bumble is the yellow dating app download. Good to have on deck, but I’d stick with Hinge. Interested in Bumble? Download bumble app.

If you are looking for something less serious, then here are some other dating apps that could be fun to try out:

• Hater dating app
  This app is literally an app that is specially programmed to match you with people that hate the same stuff as you. Funny and smart right?

• Clover dating app
  My clover dating app review would be that it’s a good app and it mixes a variety of things such as group texts called “Mixers”. “Mixers” are groups that you can join in which you can find out fun events nearby where people in the chat can go and meet up at. Definitely a good app to try out!

Final Thoughts

In the end, some may ask, “Are dating apps worth it?” and the simple answer to the question is yes.

Dating apps are worth it, even if you are just on there for fun and not really looking for anything serious…Who knows, something great might happen from it!

Most importantly, have fun, be safe and remember your intentions. You’ll be fine.

Just don’t take anything too seriously when you are just starting out. I’d recommend browsing around the apps and getting a feel for the type of people that are on it before digging in too deep.

Until next time…

Cheers Lovelies!